"Of course," Yo Aoki patted his chest confidently, "Only by defeating these strong teams one by one can we truly deserve the championship!"
Kiyota rolled his eyes, looking disdainful. "You've never played in the national tournament, you have no idea how fierce these teams are!"
Yo Aoki patted him on the shoulder with a smile, " Kiyota, you have to have faith in me!"
Kiyota almost blurted it out, then quickly corrected himself. "You're too arrogant!"
Yo Aoki chuckled, "Don't worry, I'll take you flying!"
Once everyone had arrived, Coach Takato walked up to them, hands on his hips, and said in a strong voice, "You've all performed well after practicing for so long!"
" The National Sports Festival will open in a few days," Takato paused, glancing at the schedule, "I believe everyone knows how difficult this mission is."
Although some people felt that Kanagawa's group assignment was unlucky, Yo Aoki was actually enjoying it.
Osaka Team. Daiei Toyotama are paired together. Daiei's star player, Atsushi Tsuchiya, has a similar style to Sendoh and can revitalize the whole team. In addition, Toyotama has three scorers: Tsuyoshi Minami, Toyotama, Kishimoto Itakura, which is simply icing on the cake.
Aichi Prefecture is even more formidable; the combination of Dai Moroboshi Hiroshi Morishige to even think about, and Basketball Weekly has even listed them as a favorite to win the championship.
Hakata Shodai Affiliated in Fukuoka is the summer league champion, Yo Aoki is the most afraid of them. There is no information about them, and we rely entirely on the fragmented information from Kiyota.
Finally, there's Sannoh, one of the top teams in the country. Although they lost to Shohoku in last year's national tournament, that's nothing. They learned from their mistakes, and Sannoh will only become more formidable now.
With Eiji Sawakita returning to the team, he will definitely be the biggest obstacle on Kanagawa's road to victory!
"But I believe everyone can bring glory to Kanagawa and prove themselves." Takato changed the subject, "Next, let's announce the starting lineup for the Kanagawa Team in this National Sports Festival!"
"Is this for real this time?" Everyone immediately perked up their ears.
"Point guard, Shinichi Maki!"
There's no doubt about this position; everyone knows that.
Takato continued, "Forward, Sendoh!"
Sendoh's skill is undeniable; he can revitalize the team's offense.
"Center forward, Takenori Akagi!"
No one objected to Akagi starting at center; in terms of individual ability, he was the No. 1 in the entire prefecture.
"Forward, Soichiro Jin!"
It's Jin! That makes sense; his consistent three-point shooting provides the team with more offensive options.
"Shooting guard, Kenji Fujima!"
Everyone was stunned. Fujima had always been a point guard; wouldn't this arrangement mess things up?
Coach Taoka had been observing Yo Aoki's expression. Yo Aoki didn't show any change until Takato said that Fujima would play shooting guard, at which point he showed a look of surprise.
Yo Aoki picked at his fingers, knowing Takato that he wouldn't make the starting lineup, but he didn't expect Fujima to let Fujima play shooting guard. However, Fujima was indeed capable. This lineup had many offensive options, but weak defense and poor rebounding.
"We need everyone's combined effort to win this competition!" Takato raised his voice, "We must fight with all our might and never give up!"
"Let everyone see the strength of Kanagawa!"
Yes, teacher!
Nighttime, Aoki residence.
Mamoru Aoki and his family had just finished dinner and were relaxing in the living room watching TV.
Ryo Aoki's eyes darted around, and he leaned closer to Mamoru Aoki, tentatively asking, "Dad, the National Sports Festival is starting soon, shall we go to Osaka to watch Big Brother's match?"
Mamoru Aoki his head. "No, you have your high school entrance exam next year, you can't be distracted now."
Ryo Aoki bit her lip and whispered, "The coach of the Takezato High School baseball team has already decided on me. They're talking to the school, and I might be able to get a guaranteed spot in high school."
Although Mamoru Aoki still shook his head, he was not heartless; he was just afraid of delaying Ryo Aoki's studies.
Ryo Aoki leaned forward and pleaded, "Dad, Koshien is in Osaka, right? I want to go and experience the atmosphere there."
Ryoko Aoki chuckled and interjected, "Honey, I have to go cheer for Yo on May 2nd. We can't miss out on such an important competition for him."
"Besides, Ryo's grades have always been excellent. She'll only be gone for a few days; it won't affect her studies at all."
She leaned close to Mamoru Aoki and whispered, " With Yo's current ball skills, he might catch the eye of a university coach at the National Sports Festival this time. We need to go and give him a good feel for him."
Mamoru Aoki stood up, paced around the room a couple of times with his hands behind his back, and finally relented. "Alright, our whole family will go to Osaka to support Yo."
Ryo Aoki jumped up instantly, clenching his fists and shouting, "Yay! That's so cool! Finally, we can go out and play!"
On the morning of October 6th, at the entrance of the Kainan University Affiliated High School, the Kanagawa Representative Team members were all ready.
Wearing the team uniforms made by the county, each member was full of energy, ready to officially embark on their journey to the Autumn National Sports Festival Championship today.
The wind in Osaka in October is a bit chilly, but the weather is very comfortable. Cosmos flowers are in full bloom everywhere in the streets and alleys, which is pleasing to the eye.
This was Yo Aoki's first time visiting Osaka, and his impressions of the place, apart from Koshien, were limited to Osaka Castle —a fact he remembered so well because a case in " Detective Conan " took place there.
Unfortunately, time was tight, and everyone had to hurry back to the hotel; there wasn't time to shop around.
The group arrived at their hotel. Since they were representing the county in the competition, the conditions were much better than when Shohoku went to the national tournament. They were two people per room, unlike the Shohoku guys who were crammed in like sardines in a can.
Yo Aoki had hoped to share a room with Sakuragi, but Coach Taoka put Sakuragi and Kiyota together, so he ended up sharing a room with Kaede Rukawa instead.
In the evening, Yo Aoki leaned against the window on the 30th floor of the hotel, looking at the night view of Osaka. The neon lights were dazzling, and the streets Malone, but he felt very calm.
My roommate, Kaede Rukawa, wasn't interested in appreciating the scenery; he was sprawled on his bed flipping through a magazine with earphones in his ears.
After a while, Yo Aoki turned around, not wanting to disturb Kaede Rukawa, and lay on the bed pondering things— the Autumn National Sports Festival had ended, and the Winter Selection Tournament would begin at the end of December.
The team is now back on track. Once he returns, they will have to engage in high-intensity training. He has a deep impression of Kainan's training system, which can be summarized in eight words: "High quality and strict hard work." He feels that Kainan is almost like a club and hopes that Takezato can learn from it. However, he needs the school's support and needs to discuss it thoroughly with Coach Akai.
Regarding the players, Mizuki and the others left, but new players like Terashima and Wakamoto have filled the gaps. Terashima is quite strong; with more experience, he has the potential to become a star. Takezato even stronger now than during the regional qualifiers.
The opponents are still the same four teams: Kainan, Ryonan, Shohoku, and Shoyo. Akagi Shohoku Uozumi will return to the team Uozumi the National Sports Festival. Shohoku and Ryonan are sure to falter. Shoyo is weak to begin with. Takezato has a good chance of winning, but he is not confident about Kainan. He muttered, " Kainan is still the biggest enemy in the Winter Selection Tournament."
"What did you say?" Rukawa had taken off his headphones at some point and stared at him as he asked.
"Uh... it's nothing." Yo Aoki rubbed his nose, and seeing Rukawa staring at him, he suddenly felt like chatting with him, so he said, " Rukawa, this is your first time not making the starting lineup, right?"
"Hmm." Rukawa remained as sparing with his words as ever.
"Don't take it to heart. Coach Takato has his plans. He'll definitely put you in when it matters."
Rukawa didn't reply, but suddenly said, "I have a question for you."
"Oh?" Yo Aoki raised an eyebrow. "What's up?"
Rukawa, his face tense, asked, "What do you think my weaknesses are?"
Yo Aoki chuckled. This kid just wouldn't admit defeat. He thought for a moment and said, "It's probably physical fitness. After all, you're only a first-year student. You'll get better with more training."
Rukawa didn't react, so he asked again, "Anything else?"
"That's it!" Yo Aoki waved his hand. "Your skills are too comprehensive, you'll definitely be amazing in the future."
He added, "The future is yours!"
Rukawa stared at him for a long time before asking, "What are Sendoh's weaknesses?"
" Sendoh..." Yo Aoki sighed, "I can't find any flaws in him."
Rukawa was stunned; he hadn't expected him to say that.
Yo Aoki glanced at his expression and smiled, "If I had to say, it would probably be his uncompetitive nature. The biggest difference between him and you is that he doesn't have your ruthlessness. Have you ever heard him say he wants to defeat anyone?"
This prevented him from giving his all on the field.
After listening quietly, Kaede Rukawa asked, "Do you know Eiji Sawakita of Sannoh Industrial High School?"
"Certainly!"
Kaede Rukawa grinned and asked, "Does he have any flaws?"
Yo Aoki grinned. "Didn't you find his weakness?"
Kaede Rukawa remained silent for a while before speaking again, "You think Sendoh is better than Eiji Sawakita?"
Yo Aoki scratched his head. "My understanding of 'powerful' is not the same as what you're saying."
"For example, if you were the coach, and you had to choose between Sendoh and Sawakita, which one would you pick?"
Kaede Rukawa thought for a moment, "I choose Eiji Sawakita."
This result did not surprise Yo Aoki. He nodded and said, " Eiji Sawakita is the best in high school basketball, but it's only because he's good on his own."
"I watched your match against Sannoh. Sannoh lost, and half the reason was their unconditional trust in Sawakita."
"If Sawakita had given up on the one-on-one match with you and passed it to Kawata or Fukatsu instead, the outcome of the match might have been different."
Kaede Rukawa clearly disagreed with this statement, Yo Aoki smiled and said, "Of course, this is just my personal opinion; everyone has a different understanding."
Kaede Rukawa said with a straight face, "You and Sawakita are the same type of player. You're good, but you can't lead your teammates."
"But Sendoh is different. He can carry his teammates, and that's why I think he's the strongest." Yo Aoki stared at Kaede Rukawa and said seriously.
" Rukawa, if you want to beat Sendoh, you have to get past your own mental hurdle first."
Kaede Rukawa frowned. "Didn't you say before that I didn't have any other flaws?"
Yo Aoki gave an awkward laugh.
The National Sports Festival officially opened on October 7th.
The basketball game is scheduled to start at 1 p. m.
The Kanagawa Prefecture Representative Team was seeded based on their performance last year.
On the first day of the competition, Coach Takato led everyone into the basketball gym as usual.
The Kanagawa Team immediately attracted everyone's attention as soon as they entered the stadium.
The audience automatically made way for them, pointing and whispering.
Someone shouted, "Hey, look! Those are Kanagawa players!"
Another chimed in, "They're all so tall!"
Is that Maki walking ahead?
And there's Kaede Rukawa from Shohoku!
"What a powerful presence!"
Kanagawa is so strong this year!'"
The Kanagawa group sat down in the middle of the stands.
Today's match is between Shizuoka Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture.
Shizuoka is widely considered a Jousei High School, a top-eight school in the league.
Miyagi then spoke up, "We've played against Jousei; that team is pretty strong."
"Their Mikoshiba, excels at attacking the paint, and the rest of the team are also quite good; they basically have no weaknesses."
Before the national tournament, Shohoku played three warm-up games against Jousei in Shizuoka Shohoku, winning one, drawing one, and losing one, but Sakuragi didn't play in this game.
Yo Aoki nodded to himself. "No wonder Jousei Meihou in the national tournament; it seems to be related to their playing style."
" Meihou's Hiroshi Morishige is the dominant center in high school, while Mikoshiba, who mainly plays inside, is far inferior to Hiroshi Morishige."
"It's normal to lose. If it were a strong team like Urayasu Commercial, with strong mid-range investment, facing Meihou, they might be able to put up a fight."