There is a certain reason why Gan Guoyang did not pay attention to the other group of opponents in the semifinals.
Because the other winning team was none other than Washington High School. (Note: Historically, Washington High School won the 1982 Northern California Division 1 championship, but lost in the finals.)
The two teams from San Francisco went around and met again in the finals of the Northern California Championship.
This is the third recent clash between the two teams. Each side has won one game in the first two games. This will be the decisive battle for both sides this year.
The game is scheduled for February 17. The Sheraton Hotel, which was very busy a week ago, only has two teams, Beiqiao Middle School and Washington High School.
During lunch in the cafeteria, the two teams met but did not speak to each other.
As the decisive battle approaches, the atmosphere is still quite tense.
But the most nervous person is definitely Quentin Stephenson.
Gan Guoyang scored 40 points in the last game and scored 33 points in the second half. Stephenson was watching from the sidelines.
Not only did he have no desire to avenge his past humiliation, but he was afraid of facing Gan Guoyang again on the 17th.
The shadow left by the San Francisco League finals is indeed a bit deep. More importantly, the news that Kevin Johnson was going to score 40 points was told to Gan Guoyang by Stephenson.
At that time, Stephenson just said a few words, which had no purpose. Anyway, the players lived together, and it was normal for them to gossip and spread news.
Unexpectedly, Kevin Johnson did not score 40 points, but Gan Guoyang scored 33 points in the half and defeated the Dragons with 40 points in a game.
Stephenson was so sweaty that he performed mediocrely in the semifinals and was benched by the coach half the time.
He even hoped in his heart that he might as well not win. If he did win, he would have to beat the Water Bell Team. Who could bear this?
However, the overall strength of Washington High School is still very good. They narrowly defeated their opponents by 2 points and got the chance to compete for the Northern California championship.
Stephenson felt uncomfortable throughout the day on the 17th. He went to the toilet several times but could not pull it out.
During lunch, the two teams did not say hello to each other. After dinner, Stephenson wanted to take the initiative to chat with Gan Guoyang.
Unexpectedly, Gan Guoyang ignored him and went straight back to the hotel room with a completely hostile attitude.
This made Stephenson even more nervous and even flustered. During the afternoon warm-up training, he told the coach that he was not feeling well and did not participate.
When the game officially started in the evening, Stephenson was suffering internally before the game and thought of just saying he was sick.
But in the end he stood on the court, preparing to jump ball with Gan Guoyang in the center circle - five minutes ago, he was retching in the locker room toilet.
"Gan, I don't feel good today." Before the jump ball, Stephenson took the initiative to confess to Gan Guoyang.
"I know, let's play well." Gan Guoyang didn't want to use trash talk to stimulate Stephenson today.
When it comes to psychological warfare, you have to pay attention to the point, and never go too far, as long as you achieve the goal. What really determines the outcome of the game is hard power.
The two teams are facing each other for the third time. There are no secrets between them. Everyone is an old acquaintance. Let's start a head-on confrontation.
But Gan Guoyang's psychological warfare is over, but Stephenson's trauma is still there. From the jump ball in the game, Quentin was a little nervous.
During the confrontation under the basket, Stephenson stood next to Gan Guoyang and said: "I have been wanting to have diarrhea today, but I can't. I don't feel well, but I still came to the game. I think I should participate in such an important game... I I will try my best, but I am really not in a good state. Gan, can you understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
With that said, Gan Guoyang received the ball in the low post and hit a quick turnaround jumper.
His heel turn is getting faster and quicker, faster than some forward players' turns.
This was Gan Guoyang's deliberate training. He knew that he would face many players taller than himself in the future.
"Good shot. Nice shot, Gan."
Stephenson even boasted that this move was called pre-emptive strike, reaching out to avoid hitting the smiling man.
I've already praised you, so why don't you stop attacking me with trash talk?
Gan Guoyang had no intention of attacking Stephenson. He looked nervous and focused on defense.
The initial confrontation between the two sides was quite fierce. They were old rivals and were familiar with each other, so it was over.
Washington High School has formulated a new strategy. Instead of using the twin towers to consume Gan Guoyang, the whole team will play together, often with three people in double teams.
Gan Guoyang encountered the wheel battle of Washington High School and... Stephenson's "mental attack".
During a defense, Gan Guoyang blocked the opponent's layup, but the ball was not controlled by the Water Bell team, but fell into Stephenson's hands.
Stephenson was unguarded and made a light layup under the basket, scoring two points - his first score tonight.
"Sorry Gan, I picked it up." Stephenson took the initiative to explain after scoring the goal, saying that he picked up two points.
Gan Guoyang was a little annoyed by him, but he couldn't help it. Can you still scold him?
Washington High School executed its strategy well today, and the inside line was not blown away by Gan Guoyang.
The Water Bell team had many opportunities from the outside, with Xu Xun, Chen Xing and Franklin all scoring.
But none of them have the explosive scoring power of Gan Guoyang. They play piecemeal and cannot open up the score.
Gan Guoyang was really targeted once, and his shooting feeling was not very good tonight.
Maybe it was because he used up some luck in the last outburst. Several of his outside shots missed the basket and almost made it in.
"Oh, just a little bit. What a pity, Gan."
Stephenson did not forget to comfort Gan Guoyang, but Gan Guoyang heard ridicule in his ears.
But looking at Stephenson's round-headed and cautious look, Gan Guoyang knew that this guy was not mocking him.
So fucking annoying!
Fortunately, the offense is not working well, and Gan Guoyang still has a solid defense-the defense will not deceive you.
Both sides scored very low in this game. At 25:24 of the half, the Water Bell team led by 1 point.
In the second half, the shooting percentages of both sides were even lower, and the game became a hand-to-hand battle.
The San Jose Civic Auditorium, which was originally a little cold due to the rain, was steaming with heat from the players.
The venue for tonight's final was still packed with spectators, probably more than the number of spectators in the previous days combined.
Most fans support Beiqiao Shui Zhong, not because there are many Asians in San Jose, but because everyone wants to see this magical boy Gan Guoyang enter the California finals.
The fierce competition made the players sweat like rain, and Gan Guoyang kept wiping his face with a towel during the timeout.
The only guy who didn't sweat much was Quentin Stephenson - the guy didn't put in much effort, but felt like he performed pretty well.
In the final stage of the game, as Washington High School hit a counterattack, the two sides reached a tie at 44:44.
With more than ten seconds left before the end of the game, Bellman called a timeout to arrange the final attack.
The Water Bell team had practiced the killing tactic a lot, and finally used it this time.
Bellman arranged a tactic in which Gan Guoyang held the ball in a high position and attracted the defender to hand over to Franklin for a layup.
As insurance, Chen Xing and Xu Xun were ambushed in the bottom corner, as well as opportunities to rush for offensive rebounds.
At the last minute, a goal decided the Northern California championship.
Gan Guoyang saw Quentin Stephenson approaching and said hurriedly: "Stop talking about Quentin, I will kill you."
"Oh, that's great." Stephenson was not angry, but catered to Gan Guoyang.
Gan Guoyang was not affected by any emotions and received the ball tactically after the referee blew the whistle.
The key ball tactic of the center coming out to catch the ball was not too common in that era.
Gan Guoyang is the most stable person on the Water Bell team with the ball. After getting the ball, he dribbled to the free throw line himself.
Washington High School's double-team came up, and Franklin passed the screen and cut around from the other side. Gan Guoyang passed the ball to Franklin.
Franklin caught the ball and accelerated to the basket! The layup was interfered with, and the ball bounced around the rim a few times before finally rolling out.
Didn't get in.
Quentin Stephenson was about to grab a rebound, and then a huge force came from behind, preventing him from taking off.
It was Gan Guoyang. He rushed to the basket almost at the same time as Franklin. The ball flew up while it was still in the air, and then he dunked the ball that rolled out of the basket!
The ball went in! The Water Bell team took the lead at the last moment, 46:44!
Only one second was left for Washington High School.
Quentin Stephenson watched Gan Guoyang cheering and came over to say something.
Gan Guoyang said: "Quentin, I'm not doing well today, please let me go."
"Oh, I just wanted to congratulate you..."
"I'm scared of you, the game isn't over yet!"
