Of course, there might be other reasons as well— Shinichi Maki himself realized that defending against this kid alone was indeed quite difficult.
Shinichi Maki dribbled the ball forward past midfield.
Same old method, call a screen to shield Shirasawa behind you.
With Akagi absent, Shohoku's interior defense has become significantly less formidable. If they can temporarily remove Shirasawa, their strongest player, from his defensive position, opportunities will abound for Shinichi Maki.
In order to relieve the pressure on Sakuragi under the basket, Hisashi Mitsui also had to keep an eye on the inside and be ready to help defend at any time.
This stretch of the formation immediately created an opening. Shinichi Maki Shin reacted quickly, passing the ball to Soichiro Jin had run to the flank.
Jin caught the ball and shot, the three-pointer arcing through the air and swishing through the net.
The goal was beautiful, but a chorus of disappointed boos erupted from the stands.
Everyone was watching with great interest, seeing Shirasawa and Shinichi Maki, these two aces, going head-to-head, about to put on a spectacular showdown, when suddenly it stopped?
This has nothing to do with Akagi's injury. Shinichi Maki had already taken the initiative to "brake" on Akagi before he left Akagi field.
"Is Maki chickening out? Does he not dare to confront Shirasawa head-on?"
"I think so too. He didn't seem to gain any advantage in the last few rounds. Is this all the Kainan ace is?"
"Look at Shirasawa, how tough he is! Now that Akagi isn't here, the entire offense and defense depend on him. That's what an ace player should be like!"
The chatter of Shohoku supporters reached Coach Riki Takato's ears on the sidelines.
He shook his head indifferently.
In Riki Takato's basketball philosophy, the Kainan Team has never had any "privileged players." The kind of treatment that players like Shirasawa or Fujima from Shoyo, who can ignore tactical arrangements and have unlimited shooting rights, is absolutely not allowed in Kainan.
Even Shinichi Maki was no exception.
Shinichi Maki is undoubtedly the team's ace. But his training volume is greater than that of all the other players. He uses this method to tell everyone: in Kainan, no one can enjoy special privileges. This is especially true on the court; the team's victory is always the top priority.
In the previous rounds when Shinichi Maki clashed head-on with Shirasawa, Riki Takato could be interpreted as his disciple's occasional "willfulness." At the same time, there might also have been an intention to set a trap for Shirasawa.
He believed that Shinichi Maki would know when to stop. If he didn't, he would not hesitate to substitute Shinichi Maki to calm him down. Because at this stage, it was far from the point where the problem needed to be solved by relying on a star player in a singles match.
Fortunately, Shinichi Maki didn't disappoint him. He stopped at the crucial moment and returned to controlling the team's rhythm, even indirectly causing Akagi to foul out of the game. Although it was an accident, if Shinichi Maki had been stubborn, this accident might not have happened.
Comparing the two options, it's crystal clear which choice is more beneficial to the team.
This is the strategic vision that the leader of King of Kainan should have. Compared to personal statistics, the championship trophy is the real wealth worth pursuing.
What pleased Riki Takato even more was that Nobunaga Kiyota, who was usually so loud and boisterous, seemed to understand Shinichi Maki's intentions this time and quietly carried out the tactics. Otherwise, given that kid's usual temperament, he would have jumped up long ago.
On the other side, in front of Shohoku's bench, Coach Anzai's thoughts were much simpler and more direct.
Holding such a powerful weapon as Shirasawa in our hands, wouldn't it be foolish not to let him unleash his full potential?
Let him play; relax the conditions for him, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. If you restrict him with too many rules and regulations, the effect might be diminished.
However, looking at the situation on the field, a hint of worry was hidden in Mitsuyoshi Anzai's eyes behind his glasses. Without Akagi, Kainan would definitely intensify its efforts to besiege Shirasawa.
My child, you must hold on!
On the court, Shirasawa just dribbled the ball across half-court when he noticed a change in Kainan's defensive formation, and this change was clearly aimed at him.
Kazuma Takasago remained firmly under the basket, watching Sakuragi. Soichiro Jin extended to the outside, facing off against Hisashi Mitsui. Meanwhile, Shinichi Maki and Nobunaga Kiyota, on the left and right respectively, were already subtly forming a pincer movement.
Tadashi Muto stretched the defensive perimeter to a huge extent, single-handedly covering Kogure and Miyagi's side!
Meanwhile, Shinichi Maki Nobunaga Kiyota, formed a double-team against Shirasawa outside the three-point line!
Kainan didn't consider Kogure a threat at all; Tadashi Muto's attention was mostly on Miyagi, and he only glanced at Kogure occasionally. Kiyota was also watching closely from the side, ready to pounce and help at any moment.
In the stands, Hikoichi Aida anxious he kept pulling at his hair. "Oh no! Shirasawa has been surrounded by two people!"
"Without Akagi, Kainan can practically do whatever they want on the defensive end!"
Moichi Taoka nodded, arms crossed.
"That's right, I told you so, Shohoku probably won't be able to hold on."
He had barely finished speaking when two voices suddenly appeared behind him.
"I don't think Shirasawa will be stopped so easily."
"Agree."
Jun Uozumi looked left and right, his face full of helplessness, and simply stretched out his arms to restrain them on either side.
"You asked for this..."
On the field, Shinichi Maki stood there like a mountain, using his wide defensive range to block Shirasawa's breakthrough route, while keeping his eyes on Shirasawa's passing gesture, ready to intercept the ball at any time.
Nobunaga Kiyota became the sharp blade in his hand, sticking close to Shirasawa and harassing him in various ways, constantly reaching out to interfere with his dribbling.
In this way, Shirasawa does seem to be in a somewhat passive position.
But Shirasawa himself didn't think so!
In situations like this, we must break through them ourselves to boost the morale of our teammates!
He lowered his center of gravity,
Use the ball protector to deflect Kiyota,
Without making a sound, he took a small step back, creating a slight distance between himself and Shinichi Maki.
Then he gently pushed the ball forward, setting up a decoy.
Seeing an opportunity, Kiyota reached out and grabbed it without thinking!
In that very instant,
Shirasawa turned by pulling the ball with an incredibly low center of gravity!
The ball protector's hand almost grazed the ground.
In an instant, Kiyota was left behind.
From the moment he turned around, Shinichi Maki had already pressed forward, trying to force him into a mistake!
But he didn't expect Shirasawa to only turn half his body.
As he paused, the ball had already been passed past Shinichi Maki's side.
Immediately afterward, Shirasawa dodged to the side and leaped out from between the two!
A defensive line of flanking maneuvers was completely dismantled!
The moment Shirasawa rushed out, the fans in the stands roared with excitement.
That was a pincer attack led by Shinichi Maki!
One Shinichi Maki wasn't enough, and even adding Kiyota wasn't enough!
Shirasawa shot straight into the basket like an arrow released from a bow!
At this moment, Jin, Tadashi Muto, and Kazuma Takasago all had to make a decision immediately.
Should Shirasawa pass the skill to someone else, or should he attack himself?
Jin made up his mind to give up two points but not three, and to keep a close eye on Hisashi Mitsui.
Tadashi Muto abandoned his defensive duties and focused all his attention on Shirasawa. No matter whether Hakutaku passed the ball to Kogure or Miyagi, he could cover for him immediately.
Only Kazuma Takasago; he has to go!
Behind Shirasawa, there was also Shinichi Maki chasing back. Takasago thought that even if Shirasawa passed to Sakuragi, Maki would have time to cover.
Shirasawa quickly made his choice!
He charged into the three-second zone, raised his ball-handling hand, and sent the ball flying towards the right side of the backboard!
Kazuma Takasago immediately jolted awake.
It's Sakuragi!
They're going to do Alley-oop pass!
Not only him, but Shinichi Maki behind him thought the same thing, because Sakuragi had already jumped up!
Takasago jumped quickly, and he stood right in front of Sakuragi, which would definitely create an obstacle.
But what happened next stunned everyone.
The basketball's trajectory was clearly off.
Besides, Sakuragi couldn't reach that height at all!
Bang!
The ball indeed hit the backboard directly!
Even Sakuragi was completely bewildered; how could Xiao Bai have made such an absurd pass?!
Just then!
A whooshing sound suddenly filled everyone's ears!
"They actually fought like that?!"
In the stands, Moichi Taoka exclaimed in surprise.
From the audience's perspective, the purpose of Shirasawa's pass was already clearly visible.
It's not for Sakuragi.
It's for himself!!
As he threw the ball, Shirasawa didn't stop at all. He took two steps and leaped into the air!
The ball bounces off the board.
Shirasawa arrived from mid-air and caught his pass!
At that moment, the mouths of the entire audience were agape, wide enough to fit an egg.
This kind of pass is unheard of!
Your teammate is yourself?!
Shirasawa receives the ball, pulls back, and performs a one-handed tomahawk dunk!
boom--!!
Right under Sakuragi and Takasago's noses, he slammed the ball into the basket!
The fans' expressions were almost contorted, and they screamed with their mouths agape.
Holy crap!! That's amazing!!
"Basketball can be played like this?! This is an eye-opener!"
" Shirasawa isn't fighting alone! He still has himself!!"
The entire stadium erupted instantly.
Shirasawa single-handedly broke through Kainan's defenses!
High up in the stands, Fujima and Dai Moroboshi shook their heads and sighed in unison.
Even the two of them thought it was an exaggeration for one person to conquer Kainan, let alone in such an explosive way!
" Moroboshi, how are you feeling...?"
"Hmm... this trip wasn't a waste of time."
On the field, Shinichi Maki's gaze flickered; even he, the King of Kanagawa, felt a stinging sensation...
He had to admit that Shirasawa's strength was indeed superior to his own.
The title of the best player in Kanagawa is about to change hands.
But Shinichi Maki wasn't planning to concede the team's victory.
"That was my fault," Shinichi Maki said flatly. "I won't let him in like that next time."
As the pillar of stability in Kainan, he must always keep his emotions in check.
This will give your teammates peace of mind.
Coach Riki Takato on the sidelines, unusually suppressed his smile.
The pressure Shirasawa exerted on him was already quite evident.
He had a vague sense of unease, but he couldn't quite pinpoint where things might go wrong.
The entire Shohoku team retreated from defense.
While responding to his teammates' praise, Shirasawa reminded everyone to concentrate.
With Akagi absent, he'll cover the offensive end and create opportunities for the team.
As long as you stay focused, the impact won't be too significant.
Everyone understood that Shirasawa was capable of both offense and passing, possessed formidable firepower, and knew how to distribute his resources effectively.
He can fill the void Akagi on the offensive end all by himself.
But the defense is a different story— Akagi's presence under the basket is the foundation of Shohoku's defense.