The only thing to blame is that Shohoku played equally well.
All he can do now is motivate his teammates to do better so that they can suppress Shohoku.
"In the second half, we got off to a strong start, quickly closing the gap and then finishing the game in one fell swoop!"
" Miyamasu, you'll start in the second half, replacing Muto."
A loud "Yes!" immediately rang out from the ranks.
But they could only hear the voice, but couldn't find the person immediately.
Muto, who was substituted, didn't complain at all. Instead, he grinned and had a feeling that Kainan was about to turn the tide.
In the Shohoku locker room, everyone was happy for Akagi's return to the team.
Takenori Akagi, however, told the truth.
He had the straps re-tied; he could walk, but he could no longer run or jump.
It's not that I don't want to try; even if I'm prepared to break my leg, when I actually put in the effort, that leg just hurts and I can't use it at all.
Playing on the field will only drag the team down.
After communicating with the team doctor, Coach Anzai fully understood the situation.
For Akagi's future, he absolutely cannot play in this match again.
The initial resentment in Akagi's heart gradually turned into relief.
He believed his teammates would definitely win.
Even though I'm sitting on the sidelines, my spirit will be with everyone on the field!
Akagi was surprised by his teammates' reactions.
There was neither heaviness nor dejection.
Instead, everyone offered him the greatest comfort.
In the second half, they will fight for Akagi!
I must help Akagi fulfill his dream of defeating Kainan!
This team touched Akagi's heart and warmed his soul.
"This isn't just for me," Akagi stood ramrod straight, "It's for every one of us, for Shohoku!"
"I'll be watching you from the sidelines! When the final whistle blows, I'll be the first to rush onto the field and celebrate with you!"
His gaze swept over each of his teammates.
Everyone is trustworthy!
Everyone has redefined the word "teammate".
Akagi stretched out his hand, and everyone's palms were stacked on top of each other.
He yelled at the top of his lungs:
" Shohoku!!"
"We are the strongest!!"
Coach Anzai chuckled beside him, "That's right, we are the strongest, without a doubt."
Halftime is over.
The players from both sides returned to the field.
Takenori Akagi put on his training jacket, a move that stunned everyone.
Nobody knows what his current situation is.
Even Riki Takato couldn't make any targeted adjustments.
The mystery was finally solved when both teams took to the field as their starting lineups.
Hanamichi Sakuragi stands at the center line, ready for the jump ball.
It's clear that Takenori Akagi isn't going to fight.
"Is Akagi not playing? Or does Shohoku have some new tactics?"
"I saw him standing on the sidelines just now, and he seemed fine!"
Hikoichi Aida was filled with questions.
Everyone had the same question: was Shohoku satisfied with Akagi's performance in the first half without him, or Akagi really injured and unable to play?
The truth is probably only known to Shohoku themselves.
Moichi Taoka, arms crossed, analyzed. "Although I don't know Coach Anzai's plans, Kainan will definitely launch a fierce attack in the second half. It all depends on whether Shohoku can hold on. If they can, the outcome of this game will be pretty much decided."
The referee tossed the ball towards the center line, and the second half officially began.
Hanamichi Sakuragi jumped up with a roar, not only taking Akagi's place but also mimicking the roar perfectly.
Akagi's face darkened on the sidelines.
He thought to himself: When I shout "ball!", does it ever sound this bad?
Kazuma Takasago's jumping ability is nowhere near Sakuragi's level, so the jump ball was a foregone conclusion, and Sakuragi easily tipped the ball to Shohoku.
But when Shohoku got into position to attack, they realized something was wrong— Kainan's Tadashi Muto was nowhere to be seen!
What's this...?
Standing in front of Kogure was a small, thin man with glasses, even shorter than Miyagi.
Saying he's a middle school student is already being kind...
How much does Kainan look down on Kogure?
Riki Takato on the sidelines, smiled slightly.
In his view, anyone who underestimates Miyamasu will suffer the consequences.
Because there are no weak players in the Kainan Team at all.
Shirasawa immediately understood upon seeing the substitution: Kainan was abandoning some of their defense in order to seize the initiative early in the game.
"Hey, you little dwarf," Hanamichi Sakuragi yelled, pursing his lips, "This isn't a place for you, get off here!"
Although Miyamasu was guarding Kogure and it had nothing to do with him, Sakuragi just couldn't stand it—sending someone like that onto the court was an insult to Shohoku.
Miyamasu completely ignored him, focusing intently on Kogure, his every step precise and deliberate.
After running around for a while, Kogure realized that this little guy was no ordinary person.
Aside from his short stature, his speed, reaction time, and defensive judgment are all quite good.
It's enough to deal with myself.
With Tadashi Muto off the court, Kainan no longer dared to double-team Shirasawa, and instead had Shinichi Maki mark him alone.
Shirasawa immediately felt much more relaxed.
He dribbled forward, then suddenly straightened up, using a scissor step to feint and shift Shinichi Maki's weight, then smoothly slipped past him.
If it were anyone else, they would have been completely bypassed, but Shinichi Maki only managed to bypass half of it.
He's broad-shouldered and quick-reacting, able to reclaim his position in an instant.
The two exchanged blows for a few moments, then Shirasawa abruptly stopped, pulled back, turned, and jumped to shoot, scoring!
Shohoku scored their first point of the second half.
After fighting with Shinichi Maki for twenty minutes, Shirasawa had gradually adapted to his confrontation and was now fighting more calmly than before.
The shift from offense to defense.
Kainan quickly served the ball from the baseline, hoping to take advantage of Shohoku's unstable footing.
Shinichi Maki pretended to catch the ball, taking Shirasawa with him. Nobunaga Kiyota caught the ball and rushed forward.
In the blink of an eye, they had crossed the halfway line, and the entire Shohoku accelerated back to defend.
Yoshinori Miyamasu ran forward with his head down, Kogure followed closely behind.
But just as he entered the three-point line, Miyamasu suddenly made a reverse run!
His short stature gave him an advantage at this moment; Kogure was a beat slower in both mind and body.
Miyamasu retreated to the three-point line, received a pass from Kiyota, and immediately shot!
At that moment, Kazuma Takasago had just crossed the midfield line.
This shows how confident Miyamasu.
A three-pointer swished through the net.
Riki Takato nodded in satisfaction.
" Miyamasu is our second-best shooter in Kainan. Apart from Jin, no one is more accurate than him!" he thought to himself, "I'm determined to get this start!"
56:49.
" Miyagi, you go defend against Miyamasu," Shirasawa commanded. " Four-Eyes can't keep up with him."
Miyagi nodded, Shohoku switched to offense.
Shirasawa dribbled the ball across half the field.
Speaking of three-pointers, Shohoku's outside shooting was completely silent today.
Throughout the first half, Mitsui was defended by a combined defense from Jin and Tadashi Muto, and he barely had any chance to shoot.
However, this saved a lot of energy, and overall it was much better than when fighting Shoyo.
If they want to widen the score gap, they can't afford not to use Mitsui as a weapon.
Besides, I only have 6 assists... that's too few.
With Tadashi Muto currently absent, Kainan's defensive capabilities have weakened; it's time to activate Mitsui.
Just as he was thinking this, Shinichi Maki pressed himself against him.
Upon first contact, Shirasawa sensed something was wrong— Shinichi Maki seemed even fiercer than before?
It's not that he didn't try his best before, but his defensive moves have clearly become more aggressive and hard-hitting.
Testing the referee's standards is one aspect, but on the other hand, he's probably genuinely anxious.
If Kainan wants to gain momentum in the second half, Shinichi Maki must contain Shirasawa, even if only temporarily.
Shirasawa lowered his center of gravity, his ball-protecting hand tugged at Shinichi Maki, refusing to give way.
Dragging the ball to the vicinity of the three-point line, Shirasawa suddenly started his run, feinted with the ball, and made a strong drive from the right side!
Just as he finished catching the ball, Shinichi Maki suddenly slashed!
That was a very powerful cut; the ball was knocked away.
Shirasawa's index finger and thumb were both bruised and red...
Yes, Shinichi Maki did use force, but it's in a gray area where it's neither entirely praiseworthy nor unpraiseworthy.
Moreover, both players moved quickly, making it difficult for the referee to see clearly unless they had exceptionally sharp eyes.
"Great shot!" Riki Takato couldn't help but pump his fist in celebration.
After waiting for so long, we finally managed to stop Shirasawa again!
For Kainan, every opportunity is crucial.
Nobunaga Kiyota dove to the ground and won the ball, immediately launching a counterattack.
Miyamasu was tightly entangled by Miyagi, and his advantages of speed and agility vanished.
Shirasawa and Shinichi Maki pressed even closer together. After that last exchange, the tension between them had clearly escalated to a new level, and the sound of their muscles colliding was muffled.
Just then, Jin slipped in from the left and reached out for the ball.
Nobunaga Kiyota feigned a breakthrough, but actually flicked his wrist and passed the ball to the other player.
Snap! Snap!
Jin received the ball and faced Hisashi Mitsui. He dribbled it slowly for a couple of seconds, then suddenly lowered his body.
Mitsui thought he was about to break through, so he immediately took a half step back with his left foot.
But Jin's center of gravity shifted, and he actually jumped backward!
The jump landed perfectly on the three-point line.
The jump and the release were executed in one fluid motion.
Mitsui reacted quickly enough, his hand almost touching his face as he lunged forward, but Jin's shot arc was too high, and the ball still passed his fingertips.
The moment the ball left his hand, Jin's face showed a relaxed expression.
As a top striker, Mitsui knew without even looking that the ball was in.
People like them know exactly what to expect the moment the ball leaves their hands. Jin's expression clearly shows that he's got the feel for it.
A swivel into the net, and Kainan has pulled back 3 points.
56 to 52.
Coach Riki Takato was finally able to sit back down in his chair, his expression returning to its previous composure.
As soon as Jin's three-pointer went in, Takato felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.
He knew all too well that Jin, once he got into a rhythm, would score in a series of goals.
He missed out on Hisashi Mitsui three years ago, but got Jin the following year. At that time, he was convinced that Jin was no worse than Mitsui when it came to shooting.
Both Mitsui and Jin have the talent of a marksman, but they are a little different.
Mitsui's skills are more comprehensive, while Jin only focuses on practicing three-pointers.
This, in fact, is more to Kainan's liking.
Kainan has Shinichi Maki as their ace point guard; the rest of the team just needs to cooperate. Once Shinichi Maki breaks through and passes the ball out, the receiver should just shoot decisively and make the shot.
This is Jin's mission.
Therefore, in addition to his natural talent, Jin practiced extra three points every day like crazy.
Five hundred shots a day—that number is terrifying.
It's as if the shooting motion has become second nature to him; the entire process from catching the ball to releasing it is ingrained in his bones.
The phrase "forged through countless trials" perfectly describes Jin now.
He found the most comfortable position within the Kainan system.