Coach Taoka spoke with certainty, answering his own question.
"Probably not."
"By then, Shohoku's inside game will no longer depend solely on Takenori Akagi, and every high school basketball team in Kanagawa will have another extremely difficult opponent to deal with."
He let out a long breath and concluded, "So, Hikoichi, don't just focus on the score in front of you. The addition of these three exceptionally gifted first-years has fundamentally changed Shohoku. They may still be green and unfamiliar with playing together, but their potential is enormous."
Hikoichi Aida was somewhat shocked. "Does that mean there could be an upset in this year's prefectural tournament?"
"The prefectural tournament?"
Moichi Taoka went briefly quiet, then smiled.
"Probably not this year. The prefectural tournament starts in a month at most."
"There's too little time. Of Shohoku's three first-years, aside from Kaede Rukawa, the other two still can't fully turn their potential into immediate playing strength. The threat they pose to us, Kainan, and Shoyo may still be manageable. But..."
Coach Taoka's voice became exceptionally grave. "What about next year?"
"What happens after Takenori Akagi, Jun Uozumi, Shinichi Maki, Kenji Fujima... all those third-year mainstays supporting Kanagawa basketball as it stands now have graduated?"
"By then, Shohoku will have a more mature Kaede Rukawa with a year of experience, a Hanamichi Sakuragi whose potential has erupted, and a Kawamoto Kazuki whose basketball skills may have risen another level."
"Meanwhile, the other strong teams will face the painful task of rebuilding after losing their core players. As one side rises and the others fall..."
"So next year's Shohoku..."
Coach Taoka left his sentence unfinished, but Hikoichi Aida had already broken into a cold sweat down his back.
He seemed to see a Shohoku squad made up of terrifying newcomers sweeping across Kanagawa's courts next year.
"Coach Anzai really has recruited an incredible group of newcomers."
Coach Taoka murmured to himself, his gaze returning to the smiling White-Haired Buddha opposite him.
His eyes were filled with admiration and a fierce hint of competitive spirit.
After all, even as players graduated and left, coaches like them remained at their posts.
Over the years, he had seen one crop of geniuses after another.
Yet for all sorts of reasons, those geniuses would eventually fall.
Perhaps it was because basketball received little attention in Sakura Country's broader sporting environment.
So even national-team-caliber players could not secure a foothold in the NBA, basketball's highest stage.
The NBA was a little far away, but Kanagawa's basketball scene was right before him.
"Next year, the landscape of Kanagawa basketball really may change because of these boys."
His gaze grew sharp and resolute once more.
Whatever the future held.
At least today, he would use a victory to tell these young players with limitless potential.
For now, the court still belonged to established powerhouses like them.
The whistle signaling the end of the timeout sounded. Coach Taoka gathered his thoughts and patted Hikoichi Aida on the shoulder. "Take good notes, Hikoichi. What we're watching isn't just a practice game. It's a preview of Kanagawa's future."
The score of 64-76 on the scoreboard looked cold and glaring.
Only four minutes and fifty seconds remained, and the twelve-point deficit weighed like heavy shackles on every Shohoku player's heart.
Kiminobu Kogure dribbled across half court, his feet feeling as though they were filled with lead.
His breathing was heavy, and a layer of moisture clouded his glasses.
He glanced at the clock, the exhaustion in his eyes almost swallowing his fighting spirit.
He mechanically passed the ball to Satoru Kakuta on the wing, then silently ran to the corner, as though he had already accepted defeat.
Takenori Akagi battled Jun Uozumi inside, putting everything into each fight for position, but he could not hide the helplessness on his face.
Hanamichi Sakuragi was still running tirelessly, but his repeated trips up and down the court came to nothing.
There was no frustration on his face, only boundless concentration.
Unfortunately, his ability was simply too limited. He had all that strength and no idea where to use it.
Satoru Kakuta, who had come on for Kaede Rukawa, hesitated after receiving the ball, unsure whether to attack himself or pass.
"Give it to me!"
Kawamoto Kazuki held out a hand, asking Kakuta for the ball.
Koshino, who was guarding him, was somewhat surprised.
Throughout the game, this number 15 had been like an inconsequential phantom.
This seemed to be the first time he had actively called for the ball.
Without the slightest hesitation, Kakuta fired the ball to Kawamoto Kazuki.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Koshino's mouth.
After more than thirty minutes of play, he already knew the limits of this Shohoku rookie wearing number 15, whose build looked so intimidating.
Although he had a little more grounding than a complete beginner like Hanamichi Sakuragi, it was not much.
Watching the ball leave Kakuta's hands, Koshino's mind raced.
Will he pass or attack?
Forget it. Who cares!
Come on, let me see how you can get past my defense and score this basket.
Before he had even finished that last thought, Kawamoto Kazuki had caught the ball and jumped.
Kawamoto Kazuki did not jump very high, but his release was extremely fast.
By the time the basketball left his hands and flew toward the basket, Koshino had not even had time to jump.
"What? You've got to be kidding!" Koshino instinctively turned to look at the ball.
Under everyone's gaze, the basketball traced a perfect arc.
Swish!
Nothing but net!
A three-pointer!
Shohoku, 67-76.
Moichi Taoka also sprang to his feet, staring at Kawamoto Kazuki in disbelief.
He had shot immediately after receiving the ball without the slightest hesitation, without even adjusting into his best shooting form.
If that shot had missed, it would have been arrogance.
But it went in!
A fluke!
Yes, it had to be a fluke!
Jin of Kainan had the quickest release in Kanagawa, but even his shot fell far short of this one.
The standard of that shot alone was definitely professional level!
Shohoku's morale, which had sunk to rock bottom, seemed to have been revived by that basket.
Having just scored and returned to his own half to defend, Kawamoto Kazuki suddenly bent down and slapped the floor hard.
The sharp slap sounded especially jarring in the subdued gym, instantly drawing the attention of every player on the court.
Akagi, Sakuragi, Kogure, and Kakuta all looked at Kawamoto at once.
Kawamoto Kazuki's face remained expressionless, but his gaze swept like a blade across every face filled with dejection.
His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable force, cutting through the noise and reaching his teammates' ears clearly:
"That's how basketball works. You're either ahead or behind. The score can't stay tied forever."
"If you lose your fighting spirit every time you fall behind, you might as well get off the basketball court!"
"The game isn't over yet. Get your heads up!"
"Look at yourselves!"
"Don't think you can stop caring just because this is a practice game."
He pointed at the scoreboard, his tone firm and decisive. "It's only nine points. We can take the lead in four possessions!"
"Keep the momentum going and take Ryonan down!"