Shoyo vs. Shohoku (1)

Those words were like a shot of adrenaline, instantly dispelling the Hainan players' wariness of Ryonan.

Of course, I'm not saying you should underestimate Ryonan.

Takato Riki's tone shifted, turning serious again.

On the contrary, we need to take them more seriously than any other opponent. Treat them as our final and toughest enemy. Observe them, understand them, and then crush them completely with everything we have.

Yes!

Hainan!

Everyone roared in unison, their voices making the Basketball Gym's windows tremble slightly.

Takato Riki nodded in satisfaction, especially pleased with the effect of his pep talk.

He raised his hand to check his watch, then continued, "The game is tomorrow. It wouldn't be wise to put ourselves through intense physical training now. Today's focus will be on simulating Ryonan's lineup and style of play for targeted scrimmages."

With the coach's orders given, the Hainan players immediately got to work. They quickly split into two teams, one representing Hainan and the other Ryonan.

Using footage of Ryonan's game against Shoyo, they would simulate Ryonan's style of play and analyze them thoroughly from beginning to end.

Before long, the Basketball Gym was filled with the rhythmic thump of basketballs and the squeak of sneakers against the floor.

The next day, sunlight pierced through the clouds and spilled over the dome of the Kanagawa Sports gymnasium, making the building that carried countless basketball dreams shine brilliantly.

Today was June 20, the final day of the Kanagawa Prefectural High School Basketball Qualifiers. The fierce battles from the group stage through the knockout rounds would finally come to an end today, and Kanagawa's basketball landscape would be settled once and for all.

At 9:30 in the morning, gymnasium No. 1 was already packed with noise. With half an hour remaining before the game began, the