Using a screen from the Koshino, Kaede Rukawa circled around from the baseline and reached out for the ball beyond the three-point line.
Sendoh understood immediately and decided to follow the coach's instructions, intending to pass the ball to Kaede Rukawa for the attack.
This time, however, Shirasawa didn't give him an easy pass, blocking the passing lane a step in advance. With no other option, Sendoh could only turn and pass the ball back to Ikegami on the Ikegami.
Hanamichi Sakuragi is struggling a bit on the defensive end against Ikegami.
Conversely, it's wishful thinking for Ikegami to try and overpower Sakuragi with sheer strength! Plus, he's not exactly a primary offensive weapon, so passing becomes the only option.
Once again, Kaede Rukawa used his explosive power to leave Mitsui half a body length behind. Ikegami seized the opportunity and immediately passed the ball to him.
Then, almost exactly the same scene as the previous round occurred again—a shadow suddenly darted out and intercepted the ball midway!
But this time, it's not Sendoh, it's Ryota Miyagi!
Miyagi's speed is too deceptive when defending; he might be on the left one moment and on the right the next. Just like now, Ikegami didn't even notice when Miyagi had sneaked over.
"Damn it! Ikegami! Focus on yourself!" The team's attack was interrupted by this mistake again, and Coach Taoka stomped his feet in frustration on the sidelines. Especially this kind of unforced passing error, it's even more infuriating than conceding a goal.
Miyagi intercepted the ball and, without hesitation, instantly accelerated to the maximum speed, rushing straight into the frontcourt like a red lightning bolt!
Both teams immediately launched a desperate counterattack. These opening few rounds had already set the tone for the game; everyone knew that every scoring opportunity was hard-won, and no one dared to relax for even a moment.
Miyagi took the lead, with Shirasawa quickly descending from the right. Sendoh stayed close by, keeping a close watch on him, wary of Miyagi's pass.
Kaede Rukawa kept close to Miyagi, but Miyagi was too fast, and he could never really get close.
"Charge, Miyagi! Lightning fast! No one can catch you!"
Kiminobu Kogure was practically shouting himself hoarse on the sidelines. In a match of this caliber, he felt that all he could do was cheer for his teammates with all his might. At least that's what he thought; he didn't believe he had the ability to go on the field and change the course of the game.
Just like in the game against Kainan, his presence on the court actually created gaps in the team's defense. Apart from that one flying steal, he didn't contribute much. But Kogure is willing to help the team in any way he can. Since he can't play, he'll cheer them on as loudly as possible!
On the court, Miyagi has already driven into the three-point line.
He glanced quickly at Shirasawa's position... Sendoh was marking him too closely; passing the ball now would be too risky.
Although Miyagi plays point guard, passing has never been his strong suit.
If it were Shirasawa in this situation, he could definitely get the ball to his teammate, but Miyagi is not Shirasawa after all.
He had finally seized a fast break opportunity and didn't want to waste it.
After breaking into the penalty area, he received the ball and jumped, simultaneously feinting a pass towards Shirasawa.
Miyagi is a master of feints. Because of his short stature, he often suffers when attacking the basket directly, so feints have become his bread and butter.
This feint worked, and as expected, Sendoh accelerated and rushed towards Shirasawa.
However, Miyagi's target wasn't him at all, but Kaede Rukawa, who was right behind him!
Only Kaede Rukawa is also deceived will Miyagi have enough room to make a move.
Unfortunately, he didn't have eyes in the back of his head, so he couldn't see Kaede Rukawa's movements and could only deduce them by observing Sendoh's reactions.
Seeing that Sendoh had moved, Miyagi concluded that Kaede Rukawa had probably fallen for it as well, and promptly sent the ball toward the basket.
Just then, he suddenly felt a cold breeze on his back.
"Watch out!" Takenori Akagi shouted urgently from behind, seeing the situation clearly.
He thought it was Kaede Rukawa's good defensive judgment.
But that's not actually the case. Kaede Rukawa simply believed in Sendoh.
He felt that as long as Miyagi dared to spread the word, the Sendoh would definitely be able to stop it, and he only needed to keep a close eye on Miyagi.
It's unclear when exactly, but Kaede Rukawa found someone he could trust on the field, though he himself was unwilling to admit it.
Akagi hadn't even finished speaking.
Having already taken to the air, Miyagi had no choice but to speed up his release and hurriedly toss the ball out.
The ball had barely left his hand when Kaede Rukawa slapped it away.
"Well done! Attack quickly!" Hikoichi Aida jumped up excitedly.
Moichi Taoka nodded in satisfaction, finally making up for Ikegami's mistake.
But what pleased him even more was that Kaede Rukawa was indeed becoming more and more mature.
The Ryonan Twin Stars are not only formidable on offense, but also a top-tier defensive duo!
The basketball bounced off the backboard.
Sendoh immediately sidestepped to block Shirasawa, preventing Shirasawa from grabbing the rebound like last time.
Ikegami, who was on defense, grabbed the ball, while Koshino had already turned and charged towards Shohoku's half of the court.
With all his might, Ikegami made a long pass, like a rugby ball, sending it flying through the air towards the frontcourt.
Immediately, Akagi, Uozumi, and the others who were lagging behind quickly turned around and chased after them.
The pace of the game was ridiculously fast, and those two big men were really suffering...
The situation on the field changed in the blink of an eye.
Just two or three seconds ago, Miyagi was leading a fast break.
In the blink of an eye, the roles were reversed, Koshino became the one charging ahead.
Ikegami's pass wasn't particularly accurate.
But he's strong enough; all he needs to do is throw the ball forward. Koshino is already far ahead of the second-tier team, so they'll definitely have time to adjust the ball's trajectory.
"Charge! Charge! Take this point!"
The cheers also shifted to the Ryonan bench.
Koshino kept looking back as he ran, watching the trajectory of the basketball.
Takenori Akagi forward headfirst, wanting nothing more than to get back under the basket to protect it.
Although the hope is already very slim.
Just then, a shadow darted past him!
Miyagi?
Akagi thought to himself.
The next moment he saw it clearly, it really was Miyagi!
He overtook everyone from the backcourt at an absurd speed, almost keeping pace with the basketball in mid-air!
In the blink of an eye.
Miyagi broke out of the second group and headed straight for the Koshino!
The explosive power was simply unbelievable.
"Too fast! Be careful Koshino!!" Hikoichi Aida shouted anxiously.
Even Taoka was worried for Koshino.
This attack cannot be allowed to be interrupted again!
On the court, Koshino jumped up and caught the ball. The pass was well-placed, with no major deviations, allowing him to start his drive to the basket immediately after receiving the ball.
at the same time.
The Miyagi has also been attacked.
Starting from a step behind in Koshino running.
Using the momentum of his charge, he rapidly approached the Koshino!
Both Koshino gave it their all in that jump, with the two smaller guards taking off simultaneously.
Koshino gradually felt a strong threat pressing down from behind.
He didn't rush to shoot; he waited until he reached the highest point of his jump before sending the ball towards the basket at the safest moment.
Because he knew that behind him was Miyagi, who was shorter than him.
Every inch higher brings an inch stronger. Although his Koshino jumping ability wasn't top-tier, it wasn't bad either. With his hands almost level with the rim, he believed that Miyagi would no longer pose a threat.
However, under everyone's watchful eyes, Miyagi ushered in his moment of glory!
Just as the ball was about to fall, Miyagi's hand arrived in time!
The height he jumped defied common sense.
It's more than half a head taller than Koshino.
In everyone's mind, speed is Miyagi's trademark.
No one expected that he had such incredible jumping ability!
Even Hisashi Mitsui, who trained with him every day, was stunned!
Snap!!
Miyagi completed this incredible block!
He regained the face he had lost himself!
The visual impact of this block was far greater than the shock of Kaede Rukawa's earlier shot.
The stands erupted in cheers.
After all, this is Shohoku's last game in Kanagawa. Once they go to the national tournament, many fans won't be able to cheer them on, so it's worth it even if they shout themselves hoarse!
The team's offense was once again thwarted by Shohoku, Moichi Taoka angry that he slapped his thigh.
His first step in the pre-match plan was clearly the one he was most confident of executing, but he just couldn't pull it off!
It wasn't that the players weren't giving it their all; aside from the one time Ikegami made a mistake, the other rounds were simply due to Shohoku's excellent defense.
In particular, the defensive performances of Mitsui and Miyagi completely exceeded Taoka's expectations.
Akagi confiscated the basketball that bounced out.
This time, instead of rushing to throw the ball forward, he held it high above his head, signaling to everyone to calm down.
This fast-paced chase can finally be put on hold.
The ball was passed to Shirasawa, who pushed it back across half-court, Shohoku began to organize a new round of positional offense.
Those rounds of back-and-forth running had really exhausted Akagi and Uozumi.
These two interior behemoths are dominant under the basket, but sprinting back and forth is not their forte.
Dragging such a large body back and forth like that, the physical exertion is at least twice that of others.
The game had only just begun, and both of them were already drenched in sweat.
Shirasawa received the ball on the left side beyond the three-point line, facing off against Sendoh.
He also intentionally slowed down the pace so that his teammates could take a break.
After all, Shohoku's bench depth is only so-so... No matter how confident they are, they wouldn't dare to rely on Yasuda and Kakuta to beat Ryonan.
There are 10 seconds left on the attack.
Shirasawa moved.
Sendoh's every move intently, his eyes fixed on Sendoh's every dribble, as Sendoh continuously dribbled between his legs, searching for an opening.
Sendoh's defense is no worse than Shinichi Maki's.
Although he wasn't as strong as Maki, and his body wasn't as wide, his height and long arms made up for it.
This is one of the reasons why Kaede Rukawa always suffers losses against him – no matter how you move, Sendoh always seems to be able to protect you.
While blocking Mitsui's position, Kaede Rukawa glanced at the duel on the other side of his eye.
He wanted to see clearly how Shirasawa broke through the Sendoh's defense so he could learn a trick himself.
There are 8 seconds left on the attack timer.
Sakuragi suddenly lifted up, Ikegami at a 45-degree angle as he reached out for the ball.
Shirasawa immediately initiated the breakthrough!
His eyes were fixed on Sakuragi as he raised the ball.
Shirasawa combines the three threats of throwing, rushing, and passing so well that you can never guess what he'll do next.
This made it extremely difficult for Sendoh to defend, and he kept overturning his own predictions.
Until Shirasawa actually makes his move, it's almost impossible to see through his intentions.
Sure enough, Shirasawa's ball-raising move was just a feint; he shifted his weight and made a strong breakthrough from the right!
Sendoh quickly moved two steps to the side, spread his arms, and followed Shirasawa into the three-point line.