32:16.
The score difference was 16 points, but Shoyo's morale was being ignited by the declaration that they would score 50 points over his head.
Damn it, who do you think you are?
Kazushi Hasegawa's face was ashen, his eyes filled with a fanatical madness as he stared intently at Kawamoto Kazuki in front of him.
" Shoyo, attack!"
The referee gave the signal.
Kenji Fujima took a deep breath, trying to suppress the turmoil in his heart.
He dribbled the ball across half-court and relaxed slightly when facing Mitsui, who had switched onto his defense.
The other players on Shohoku were also more focused on defense than ever before, with Akagi anchoring the paint and Kawamoto closely marking Hasegawa.
Kaede Rukawa and Sakuragi flitted between Takano and Nagano like fleas.
"Give me!"
The inside Toru Hanagata, Akagi and reached out for the ball.
This is Shoyo's most consistent, and only, hope for scoring.
Fujima lobbed the ball high, sending it flying past Kaede Rukawa's fingertips toward Hanagata.
Hanagata catches the ball, feeling the terrifying power emanating from Akagi behind him.
He gritted his teeth, attacked, turned, and unleashed his signature fadeaway jumper.
Akagi roared and tried his best to block, but this time his fingertips grazed the basketball.
"Bang--!"
Forging!
The basketball bounced high off the back of the rim.
"Rebound--!"
Hanamichi Sakuragi's roar echoed throughout the penalty area.
He jumped at the same time as Takano and Nagano, but his amazing speed and explosiveness allowed him to grab the rebound with one hand over their heads.
"Brother Kawamoto!"
Sakuragi saw the white figure starting up from mid-air.
Without a second thought, he swung the ball wildly forward into the middle of the field.
The pass was high and floaty, completely lacking accuracy, heading straight for the opponent's half of the field.
But Kawamoto Kazuki took two steps across the midcourt and leaped off the ground just as the basketball was about to fly out of bounds.
He scooped the ball back in mid-air and released it directly from the side of the basket.
Hasegawa tried his best but couldn't catch up.
This kind of shot after a save is almost impossible to make!
Whoosh--!
Swish through the net, three-pointer in!
35:16.
"The first one."
Kawamoto landed and said calmly.
Hasegawa stood frozen in place, his face deathly pale.
In the next possession, Shoyo's offense failed again, and Fujima's mid-range shot missed due to Mitsui's interference.
Takenori Akagi overpowered Hanagata and secured the defensive rebound.
He glanced at the frontcourt and dribbled the ball forward with long strides!
Hanagata was completely taken aback when the center launched a fast break himself, and only after a moment of hesitation did he chase back.
Akagi dribbled past midfield and saw Kawamoto had made a run into open space at a 45-degree angle on the right side with Mitsui's cover, while Hasegawa was tightly blocked by Mitsui.
"Next!"
Akagi a roar, Akagi passed the ball straight through like a cannonball!
Kawamoto was standing two meters away from anyone when he received the ball.
He made a slight adjustment, then jumped and released the ball.
"Whoosh--!"
Hit!
38:16.
The second three-pointer.
"Good pass, Captain!"
Kawamoto shouted to Akagi as he returned to defense.
Akagi snorted heavily, but a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
On the next ball, Kawamoto jumped to meet Hasegawa.
Hasegawa also jumped up.
He spread his right hand and slammed it down on Kawamoto's face.
Cover your eyes!
However, he discovered to his despair that even when he jumped to the highest point, his fingers couldn't even reach Kawamoto's chin.
The opponent's terrifying jumping height made his blindfold a comical backdrop.
Kawamoto's view was unobstructed in the air, and he flicked his wrist gently.
Bang!
Forging!
The basketball bounced off the front edge of the rim.
This is Kawamoto's first missed three-pointer tonight!
"Rebound!" Hanagata and Akagi roared simultaneously as they charged towards the basket.
However, Akagi's position was better, and he had more power.
He positioned himself in the Hanagata, leaped up like a spring from dry land, and firmly grasped the rebound with one hand.
The moment he landed, Akagi didn't even look, and directly threw the ball towards the outside.
Missed shots are no problem, I'll grab the rebounds!
That was the promise he made.
The pass was still aimed at Kawamoto.
After missing his shot, he didn't retreat on defense; instead, he took a step back and received a pass from Akagi.
Hasegawa lunged even harder this time, almost covering his face.
Kawamoto received the ball and, without hesitation, took another jump shot over Hasegawa's block!
Goal!
41:16.
The third three-pointer.
Shoyo scored two more points with Hanagata shot.
41:18.
Shohoku is making a comeback.
Kaede Rukawa breaks through and passes the ball to Kawamoto in the corner.
Kawamoto received the ball Shammgod, feinted a "prayer" move, and then flicked it on Hasegawa.
Move sideways to create a tiny space, then strike quickly.
Bang!
Another missed shot!
The basketball bounced a bit far.
"Mine!"
Hanamichi Sakuragi and Nagano both rushed towards the point where the basketball would land.
With a fierce tackle, Sakuragi flicked the ball over Nagano's head, sending it flying towards the top of the arc.
Hisashi Mitsui cleverly caught the ball that had been flicked out and immediately looked for Kawamoto.
Kawamoto had now made a run back and had another chance to receive the ball on the left wing.
Mitsui's pass arrived in an instant.
He caught the ball and jumped. Hasegawa's tackle was a beat too slow.
Whoosh--!
Another three-pointer!
44:18.
"Continue!"
Mitsui gave Kawamoto a thumbs up.
Missed?
It doesn't matter.
Backboards, featuring Akagi and Sakuragi.
The pass was made by Rukawa and me.
You, Kawamoto, only need to do one thing.
cast.
Keep throwing.
The entire Shohoku team put this simple tactic into practice.
They defended, tackled, and passed tirelessly.
Then, all that trust was transformed into rebounds and passes, delivered to Kawamoto time and time again.
Kawamoto, meanwhile, completely entered an unlimited firing mode.
They unleashed their full offensive power from three points.
He took a step to the side from the top of the arc after a screen, and then pulled up for a three-pointer.
Swish!
47:20.
Fast break, close behind, just past the half-court line, a long-range three-pointer.
Swish!
50:20.
Drifting along the baseline, then shooting backwards at the limit.
Swish!
53:20.
Facing a double-team defense, he executed a difficult step-back three-pointer.
Swish!
56:20.
Basketballs rained down on the ground.
Shoyo's defense was riddled with holes, and the players' eyes went from struggle to despair, and finally to numbness.
Hasegawa's legs were sore from pushing himself so hard, and sweat was blurring his vision.
His repeated jumps to block shots only resulted in the opponent repeatedly scoring despite ignoring his defense.
Cover your eyes?
I can't even touch his chin.
confrontation?
It's like hitting a wall.
All his defensive experience and pride were crushed in the face of absolute talent and shooting touch.
The basketball transformed into streaks of orange-red rainbows, piercing through Shoyo's net time and time again, and also breaking through the psychological defenses of Shoyo's players.
Hasegawa tried his best, even resorting to pulling and subtle maneuvers that bordered on fouls, but it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot when faced with an absolute difference in skill.
His prized defense became a complete joke in front of Kawamoto.
The audience went from initial shock and cheers to numbness and blankness, until finally only gasps of astonishment could be heard.
Every time Kawamoto makes a move, everyone's heart leaps into their throat.
Then, with the crisp sound of the net swishing, it fell heavily, accompanied by boundless sympathy for Shoyo.
The green ocean of Shoyo has long since died.
The team members had unfocused eyes and stiff movements.
Fujima's face lost all its color, Hanagata was panting heavily, and Takano and Nagano were deathly pale.
It's not that they didn't try, but all their efforts seemed so pale and powerless in the face of Kawamoto.
"A monster... it's a monster..."
In the stands, countless people murmured to themselves.