"Although Miuradai defeated Kainan University Affiliated High School and entered the National Tournament as Kanagawa's top seed, this is still their first time competing at nationals. When it comes to experience, we are clearly far more seasoned!"
The pregame warm-ups had ended, and it was now time for the final mobilization before the match. Azure Phoenix High School's coach kept feeding the team motivational words, trying to ease their pressure so they could face the coming battle unburdened.
"Don't let their reputation scare you! Play the tactics we're best at, just like yesterday! This is also the strongest year in Azure Phoenix's history! Go!"
"Roar!!"
Thanks to their coach's tireless efforts, every Azure Phoenix player was fired up and brimming with confidence, determined to make all the spectators who had come to cheer for Miuradai stare in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Miuradai had also finished its pregame talk.
Coach Harada's task was much simpler than Azure Phoenix's coach.
He did not say much. Just one sentence.
"Go. Use the result of this game to tell everyone here, and everyone watching the National Tournament on television, why we are the ones who came here today, not Kainan!"
"We're on!"
"Roar!!"
The entire Miuradai team stormed onto the court.
Ugh... what a terrifying giant... Is this guy really Japanese?
As the two centers came face-to-face for the opening tip, Azure Phoenix High School's center was shocked to find that his opponent was not only about five centimeters taller, but also a whole size bigger than him.
"Hm?"
Sensing someone's gaze on his face, Naito Tetsuya, who had been watching the referee, turned his head and glanced at Azure Phoenix's center.
After facing top-tier centers from Kanagawa and even the entire country in the Prefectural Tournament—Takasago Kazuma, Uozumi Jun, and Akagi Takenori—along with the relentless