Anzai looked at the others. " Akagi, hold the basket. Mitsui, your three-pointers are the arrow that tears apart their zone defense. Rukawa, your isolation plays are the second option."
"When Kawamoto is heavily marked, I need you to step up and solve the problem immediately. Miyagi, control the tempo, assist Kawamoto on defense, and deliver the ball comfortably to where it should be on offense."
He finally looked at the bench, especially at Hanamichi Sakuragi, who was anxiously scratching his head. "Everyone else, be ready at any time."
"The intensity of this match may exceed your expectations. I require that you all give it your all whenever you step onto the court!"
"Yes!" the crowd roared in unison, their blood boiling.
On the Kainan team's side, Coach Takato made a surprising remark to Nobunaga Kiyota.
" Kiyota, you're protecting Kawamoto."
" Kawamoto is yours now."
"No matter what, you only have one task: keep him occupied!"
Nobunaga Kiyota possessed excellent speed and agility, and his proactive defense effectively limited the opponent's fast attacks.
Furthermore, Nobunaga Kiyota had a unique defensive characteristic.
No matter how strong the opponent is, Kiyota dares to defend; his attitude on the defensive end is very proper.
Coach Takato himself didn't believe he could stop Kawamoto.
However, Kiyota's proactive approach can effectively release the livestock.
Although Kiyota's abilities are quite comprehensive, his support and ultimate skills are both very good.
But Kainan doesn't lack this offensive point.
He had already seen through the game against Shohoku.
It's a clash of titans.
However, this kind of offensive confrontation is definitely not a one-on-one battle between Maki and Kawamoto.
In his view, even Maki couldn't effectively limit Kawamoto's scoring or easily break through Kawamoto's defense.
Therefore, confrontation would be pointless and would only limit the priest's attacks and support.
As the core of the team, Mu must conserve his energy.
It would be better to let Kiyota and Kawamoto handle it.
Facing the other four players from Shohoku, Maki remained the same emperor.
Nobunaga Kiyota's eyes gleamed.
Although he is not tall, he possesses boundless fighting spirit.
In internal training matches, even a strong player like Jin would have his scoring ability greatly reduced under Kiyota's relentless pressure.
The warm-up was over quickly, and the match began.
While keeping an eye on the field, Takato also kept a portion of his attention on Anzai, afraid that the old fox would see through his intentions.
Putting Kawamoto aside, the two teams are evenly matched, so the game is sure to be very close.
In this situation, if I were the coach of Shohoku, I would definitely arrange for Kawamoto to keep an eye on Maki.
But he simply didn't accept the offer.
As a coach known for his strategic thinking, he must devise tactics that are most beneficial to the team.
This is an attitude.
The match begins.
Kainan did not, as everyone had expected, directly pit Shinichi Maki against Kawamoto.
"Oh?"
Anzai looked slightly surprised when he saw Kainan's positioning.
Nobunaga Kiyota, number 10 from Kainan, stayed close to Kawamoto Kazuki, practically entangled with him using both hands and feet.
"Using Kiyota to match up against Kawamoto?" Kogure was also stunned.
Anzai's gaze fell on Riki Takato Touli, who was sitting on the Kainan bench, waving a paper fan and wearing a calm smile.
His eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses, and a hint of approval appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"I see----"
Anzai muttered to himself.
"Beep!"
jump ball!
With his amazing explosiveness and fighting spirit, Takenori Akagi overpowered Kazuma Takasago, the center of Kainan, in the jump ball and flicked the ball into his own half!
"Nice shot!"
With quick reflexes, Ryota Miyagi controlled the ball before Tadashi Muto could close in.
Shohoku gained possession of the ball on their first possession of the game.
"Quick attack!"
The Miyagi was activated instantly, shooting straight into the front like a bolt of lightning.
The red wave from Shohoku followed closely behind.
However, just as Miyagi dribbled past the center line and his eyes instinctively searched for his teammates...
A figure as solid as a rock appeared out of nowhere in front of him.
Shinichi Maki.
The king of Kanagawa stood before Miyagi, his calm, ocean-like eyes radiating an immense, almost tangible, pressure that crashed down upon him.
Miyagi's heart tightened.
Is this the Imperial Pasture?
It's a completely different feeling from watching from the stands.
When face-to-face, an overwhelming sense of presence washes over you.
It was just a momentary lapse in concentration.
"Smack!"
A crisp sound.
Miyagi felt his hand suddenly go empty; the basketball was out of his control.
Shinichi Maki has already launched a fast break with the ball.
"Oh no!"
Miyagi was terrified and turned to give chase.
But after Shinichi Maki stole the ball, he left Miyagi far behind in a single step and charged straight for Shohoku's empty basket.
"Back up!"
Akagi's roar came from behind.
Almost at the same instant that Shinichi Maki started his attack, another red figure also began its pursuit.
It's Kawamoto Kazuki!
His reaction and starting speed were terrifying; after two steps, the distance between him and Shinichi Maki was rapidly closing.
But at that moment, Nobunaga Kiyota relentlessly pursued him.
He made no attempt to steal the ball.
They simply used every means at their disposal to make reasonable off-the-ball collisions and block positioning with their bodies.
We'll spare no effort, even if it only delays Kawamoto by a single second!
It's this very second.
That's enough for a player of Shinichi Maki's caliber.
He charged into the free-throw line, ignoring the pressure rapidly closing in from behind.
He landed, jumped, and steadily found his balance in the air, then gently flicked his right wrist.
The basketball bounced off the backboard and swished cleanly into the net.
"Whoosh!"
It only lasted seven seconds.
Kainan leads 2-0.
Coach Riki Takato unfolded his paper fan and waved it gently, a knowing smile spreading across his face.
King versus King?
No.
A king cannot meet another king!
Kainan's first move was to avoid the enemy's strength and attack their weakness, using a surprise attack to entangle Shohoku's strongest player, Wang.
Then, Wang from Kainan attacked Shohoku's relatively weak link.
Ryota Miyagi stood outside the baseline, the basketball burning hot in his hand.
Shinichi Maki's steal and layup were like a cold slap in the face, turning his pre-game enthusiasm into shame and indignation.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and quickly scanned the area in front of him.
In Shohoku's half, Kawamoto Kazuki was being clung to by Nobunaga Kiyota like a piece of chewing gum, but he subtly pointed behind him with his hand.
Miyagi understood and threw the ball towards Kawamoto.
Kiyota immediately became alert, almost lunging into Kawamoto's arms to interfere with receiving the ball.
However, Kawamoto received the ball without pausing or even looking at the attacking third.
With a flick of his wrist, the basketball was passed directly back to Miyagi, who had just stepped into the penalty area.
"Um?"
Kiyota's gaze and center of gravity were unconsciously drawn to this return pass.
At that very moment -
Kawamoto slammed his feet into the ground, and in the instant Kiyota's center of gravity shifted, his massive body shifted gears and accelerated.
With a single step, he completely left Kiyota had just regained his balance, half a body length ahead of him.
In the second step, his speed reached its peak, and starting from near the center line, he aggressively overtook one Kainan player after another who had not yet fully retreated to their defensive positions.
Just one second!
When Maki sensed something was wrong, he looked up.
All that could be seen Kawamoto having already crossed the free-throw line, leaving all the Kainan players, including himself, desperately behind.