Kainan team's seats.
Coach Riki Takato had already put away his paper fan and was watching the one-sided massacre on the field with a solemn expression.
Is Shoyo really that weak?
He suddenly spoke, as if asking Shinichi Maki, or perhaps asking himself.
Shinichi Maki silently shook his head.
"Not necessarily."
Riki Takato answered his own question, "They were second in the prefecture last year. Fujima, Hanagata, Hasegawa have all improved over the past year, and their individual abilities are no weaker than last year."
"But Shoyo's team relies too much on Fujima and Hanagata, their two strong points. Takano and Nagano are not up to par as role players; they not only lack consistent scoring ability, but their defense is also full of holes."
"Their height was originally their only advantage, but that advantage is no longer present against Shohoku, whose average height is also quite good."
" Fujima was completely dominated. In terms of point guard organization and vision alone, he might not be inferior, but in terms of individual offensive and defensive abilities, especially against a point guard with Kawamoto's physique, he was completely outmatched."
"His height is a major disadvantage, which allows Kawamoto, who has a more consistent three-point shooting ability than Hisashi Mitsui, to shoot over him endlessly."
" Hasegawa is tall enough, but his jumping ability, speed, and strength are all inferior. Kawamoto's jump shot is at least a head higher than his; even if he stretches out his arm at full power, he can't cover his eyes."
Riki Takato's gaze swept over the other Shohoku players. "Don't even mention Shoyo, in Kanagawa and even nationwide, if we can't find a player or strategy to effectively limit Kawamoto's three-pointers, we'll all face being instantly crushed."
He emphasized, "Because the rest of the Shohoku players are also very strong."
" Takenori Akagi anchors the paint, his defense and rebounding are top-notch; Rukawa Kaede Rukawa is a top-tier one-on-one scorer; Hisashi Mitsui is a historic three-point shooter; Ryota Miyagi is a top-tier fast break playmaker; Hanamichi Sakuragi is an unpredictable X-factor, with limitless energy and stamina."
"This Shohoku team has virtually no weaknesses in either offense or defense."
Riki Takato drew a conclusion.
Nobunaga Kiyota felt a chill run down his spine and couldn't help but ask, "Coach, according to you, isn't Shohoku invincible? Isn't there any way to stop them?"
Riki Takato remained silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"Have."
All eyes were on him.
Have you ever heard of the NCAA?
Apart from Maki, everyone else looked confused.
At that time, most young Japan basketball players knew about the NBA, and were relatively unfamiliar with the term NCAA.
Riki Takato continued, " Kawamoto Kazuki's level might be incredible in Japan, but in the NCAA, there are definitely players stronger than him. If a team could have a foreign player of that caliber, they could definitely compete with Kawamoto."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry up and recruit! I believe that with the strength of our Kainan basketball team, there will definitely be plenty of people in the NCAA who would fight tooth and nail to join us..."
Kiyota quickly replied.
Maki looked at Kiyota as if he were an idiot.
Recruiting NCAA teams to play basketball in Japan high schools?
On what grounds?
If I, Maki, went to the NCAA, they probably wouldn't even give me a second glance.
However, he understood what the coach meant.
It looks like things will be difficult for Shohoku.
However, giving up without even fighting is not in Shinichi Maki's character.
Even if Kainan might lose to Shohoku, they definitely won't fall so easily!
Taoka, representing the Ryonan team, was internally screaming.
Mitsuyoshi Anzai...
You old fox!!!
He recalled the training match two months ago.
He was secretly pleased with himself after defeating Shohoku, feeling that he could finally show off his meticulously built Ryonan in front of Anzai.
Even with Fuku's sharp edge concealed.
The match was very close, Sendoh's two crucial shots in the final moments decided the outcome.
At that time, there was also a player with number 15 on the Shohoku team, but his performance was unremarkable.
He was held to just 5 points by his own teammate, the Koshino Kuzuaki, and was even substituted by Anzai in the final moments.
At the time, he thought Anzai believed that the newcomers lacked experience and were unable to handle the pressure.
Looking back now--
"You hid it well, you old man!"
Taoka gritted his teeth, cursing Anzai eight hundred times in his mind once again.
If that number 15 had shown even half, no, a third, of his strength in that match, could Koshino have stopped him?
Will Sendoh be able to make those two game-winning shots at the end?
Ryonan would probably have been utterly crushed long ago!
"Are they afraid I'll poach their talent? Huh?"
Taoka was so angry his liver hurt.
When he discovered Hisashi Mitsui, that old man Anzai chuckled and said, " Shohoku is a public school; they won't compete with Ryonan your talent."
What an image of being detached from worldly affairs!
And the result?
When faced with a monstrous genius like Kawamoto Kazuki, didn't they immediately change their minds and find him surprisingly appealing?
He's kept such a deep secret; I bet he's already used his former national team player status and that kind old man persona to lay a solid foundation for his revolutionary relationship with Kawamoto over the past few months.
"Damn, that's some serious cunning!"
Taoka felt like he'd been tricked.
But then, a deeper sense of worry and fear swept over them.
What makes Ryonan think they can compete with a team like Shohoku?
Taoka painfully began to mentally rehearse:
Ryonan's ace, Akira Sendoh, faces Kawamoto...
Both offense and defense will likely be suppressed.
Sendoh is very well-rounded, but Kawamoto even more well-rounded, and his physical talent is overwhelming.
Kiccho Fukuda...
His secret weapon, on which he placed high hopes, was indeed formidable on the offensive end.
But can they break through Kawamoto's hopeless defense?
Jun Uozumi, at best, can only wear down Takenori Akagi in the paint, without gaining any advantage.
Ryoji Ikegami, a defensive specialist, might be able to somewhat limit Hisashi Mitsui, but against Kawamoto...
He'll probably end up like Hasegawa.
On the other side, there's Kaede Rukawa, the cold-blooded scoring machine; Ryota Miyagi, the speed demon; and Hanamichi Sakuragi, the endlessly energetic troublemaker...
"The more I think about it, the more my head aches..."
Taoka felt his blood pressure soaring.
In terms of roster composition, Ryonan is at a disadvantage in almost every aspect.
A deep sense of powerlessness welled up inside me.
"Destroy it, quickly."
He even had thoughts of giving up on himself.
But the next second, the coach's competitive spirit and the resilience honed through years of hard work and experience forcefully pulled him back.
He shook his head sharply, refocused his gaze, and began to calculate rapidly.
etc...
Taoka's gaze slowly shifted from Shohoku to the Kainan seats not far away.
Riki Takato's solemn profile and Shinichi Maki's serious expression were clearly visible.
Kainan...
They are definitely no match for the current Shohoku team.
Taoka could almost certainly conclude that...
No matter how strong Maki is, Kainan's system is likely to be torn apart when facing a monster like Kawamoto who excels in both offense and defense.
"That's right... we might not be able to beat Shohoku, but..."
A cold, almost ferocious smile curled at the corner of Taoka's mouth.
"Why not just take down Takato's Kainan?"
His thoughts instantly became clear.
According to the schedule, as long as Ryonan can defeat Kainan, they will advance to the national competition as the second-place team.
Shohoku will most likely be number one.
As long as they don't meet Shohoku early on, who knows what will happen when they reach the national tournament?
Shohoku might be eliminated by monsters from other regions?
"Yes! Let's do it!"
Taoka clenched his fist tightly, and a flame reignited in his eyes.
It doesn't matter what place we get in the national tournament. As long as Ryonan can qualify, it will be a historic breakthrough for the school, the team, and for him, Moichi Taoka!
It's an unprecedented success!
The school will definitely approve more funding and provide greater support next year!
With such achievements, why worry about attracting even better students?
With Sendoh and Fukuda still around, the impact of Uozumi and Ikegami graduating might be mitigated.
The thought of Takato Riki Takato humiliated by Shohoku and then losing to Ryonan, followed by his mournful face, filled Taoka with a strange sense of relief, which also diminished much of his resentment towards Shohoku and Anzai.
" Takato, Takato, just wait and see!"
Taoka thought viciously to himself, then turned his gaze back to the court.
Even his gaze toward Kawamoto Kazuki held less fear and more gratitude.
Thanks to this monster for forcing Kainan to fight desperately, making it impossible for that fox, Takato, to sit back and relax.
Moichi Taoka, a coach known for his strictness and shrewdness.
After experiencing extreme shock and despair, they quickly transformed their mindset and found a way to survive in Ryonan.