With Takeshi Jinguji's close-range fadeaway jump shot, Shohoku High School continued to chase points within two minutes after the timeout, which made Ryonan, who had been maintaining its own offensive rhythm, anxious.
Influenced by the rhythm of Xiangbei High School, Ryonan's offensive speed inevitably increased. This made it difficult for the freshman Guan Ping to adapt to the current rhythm of the confrontation. Being tall and strong, he simply could not keep up with the speed of the two teams' confrontation. He was already out of breath after only a few minutes on the court.
On the other hand, on the Shohoku side, the energetic and agile Kogure Mitsunobu quickly adapted to this high-intensity offensive rhythm. Even if there was no chance to shoot on the offensive end, he could still serve as a basketball transit station to help the team pass the ball.
As one side gained strength while the other lost strength, Xiangbei's offense became more and more smooth, and Ryonan High School's originally airtight defense suddenly became full of loopholes.
At the end of the first half, the score between the two teams was 50:50. Shohoku High School, which was originally 5 points behind Ryonan High School, not only did not fall behind Ryonan during the period when Takenori Akagi was off the court, but instead successfully scored a small climax of 14:9.
Among them, Kogure Mitsunobu made 3 three-pointers in the 4 minutes he was on the court, scoring a total of 9 points, while Jinguji Budou took three shots, but only scored two of them and scored 4 points. Mitsui Hisashi also had offensive opportunities during this period, but his forced breakthrough into the inside was disrupted by a foul by Sendoh Akira, and he made one of two free throws and scored 1 point.
Ryonan High School continued to score, with Shinomiya Tano, Sendoh, Fujima, and Hanagata all scoring. During the period, Hanagata Toru made one of three shots and only scored two points.
The game was interrupted, and Hanagata Toru's shooting percentage had dropped significantly. The efficiency of Ryonan High School's pick-and-roll tactics centered around Fujima and Hanagata had been greatly reduced.
When the halftime whistle sounded, Jinguji Takeshi held the ball and executed the last attack at the buzzer. He forced a three-point shot against the defense of Shinomiya Tano, but the defensive pressure from Shinomiya Tano was too great, and the buzzer-beating shot was not successfully scored.
With a score of 50:50, the Ryonan players returned to the rest area.
"Damn it, Xiangbei tricked me!"
"That Kogure Mitsunobu's three-point shot is so accurate, he's really too lucky!"
Fujima, who walked off the field, seemed a little dissatisfied with the team's current results. He angrily grabbed the kettle on the stool, gulped down several gulps of water, and then sat down on the bench.
"Haha, you all worked hard and performed well!"
"Well, Fujima, calm down. Mugure Mitsunobu's shooting level has indeed improved significantly compared to before."
"But such a spot shooter can't pose much of a threat to us at Ryonan."
"After all, it's just that we didn't take it seriously enough. But it doesn't matter. In the second half, there won't be such problems."
In the Ryonan team, Fujima does not have the experience of being a "player and coach", so he is still relatively young in character, and he will not hide his thoughts in front of his teammates or coaches.
When Coach Tiangang saw his angry look, he just smiled and comforted him with a few words, not taking it seriously.
Although Xiangbei High School successfully beat Ryonan 14:9 in the last four minutes, Coach Tanaoka was not worried about this. During the time when Akagi was off the court, Xiangbei High School relied on Jinguji Budo and Mugure Konobu to maintain their offensive efficiency.
But a player of Mugure's level only performed like this when he was trying to steal a ball from Ryonan. That is, Coach Tiangang did not expect Coach Anzai to bet on Mugure Konobu, otherwise, he would never have sent a freshman like Guan Ping to play.
It's not that Ryonan High School is completely empty-handed. Now that they know that Murasakibara has such a good three-point shot, Coach Takeo will pay attention to it in the second half. Even if he doesn't send Sendoh to defend, he will also send their Ryonan's defensive expert, Ikegami Ryoji, to defend.
Guan Ping couldn't keep up with Shohoku's rhythm, giving Kogure Mitsunobu an open shot opportunity, but Ikegami would not make such a mistake.
Therefore, in Coach Takeo's opinion, if Shohoku High School does not have any other trump cards and still uses the same tactics in the second half, they will never be able to defeat Ryonan.
"Overall, we played pretty well in the first half. Although I didn't expect to tie with Xiangbei at the beginning, I can accept this result."
"While you are resting, I will also arrange for you how to play the second half of the game."
"Hana, you have consumed a lot of energy. You should be able to feel it yourself. Your shooting percentage has dropped significantly."
"In the second half of the game, your focus will no longer be on setting screens for Fujima in the high post. I need you to focus on the basket and the fight for rebounds. All your shots should preferably be taken near the basket."
"Uozumi, you will be back on the court at the beginning of the second half. Pay attention to your number of fouls. If Jinguji Budou breaks into the paint, don't force yourself to stop him. Just give him enough interference. Your mission is simple, which is to control the rebounds. Use all your strength to grab rebounds."
While Coach Tanaoka was talking, he looked at Shinomiya Tano and asked with a smile:
"Tian Ye, you've been slacking off for so long, it should be about time, right?"
"At the moment, it seems that even you can't seal Jinguji Budo in a one-on-one environment, right?"
"Focus on offense. You'll need to step up in the second half."
"In the second half, our Ryonan's offense will be led by Shinomiya Tano. Sendoh, you and Fujima will set screens for each other. If there is a chance, ask Tano for the ball."
"Tian Ye, if you think their positions are good, give them the ball. If you don't think they are good, do it yourself."
"I need you to make a concerted effort and destroy Xiangbei!"
Coach Tiangang arranged offensive tactics for the players while they were resting. As for defense, Coach Tiangang did not make any changes. He felt that the defense of Ryonan High School was well executed at this stage.
Although Shohoku scored 50 points in the first half, think about it from another perspective. Apart from Jinguji Takeshi, who had good scoring data, the only player who had a good performance in stealing the ball was Kogure Mitsunobu. Shohoku was suppressed badly in other positions.
Coach Takeo believes that as long as the current defensive intensity is maintained, Jinguji Budou alone will not be able to support Shohoku's offensive mission.
"yes!
”
The Ryonan players responded in unison after Coach Tanaka made the arrangements. Then it was time for free activities. Yu Yue Hongming led a group of substitute players to rush to hand out water and towels to the starting main players. Shi Gong Tianye and others also consumed a lot of water. After simply replenishing water, they stood on the sidelines and did stretching exercises to relieve fatigue.
Unlike Ryonan who was preparing for the second half of the game in full swing, Shohoku seemed much quieter. There were no active players on the bench, and Coach Anzai did not have the same coaching style as Takeoka.
“They all played well and continued this momentum in the second half.”
After the Xiangbei players returned to the rest area, Coach Anxi simply praised the players a few words, then sat back in his seat and drank hot tea without saying anything else. As for the tactics for the second half of the game, Coach Anxi didn't say a word, just asked the players to have a good rest.
Mitsui also asked Coach Anzai how to play in the second half, but Coach Anzai just laughed and didn't say much.
"That won't do. Even though we tied with Ryonan in the first half, Ryonan High School will definitely have a counterattack in the second half."
"I know Murasakibara's strength very well. If Ryonan plays with a decent defender, he will be exposed."
"Although your offensive efficiency is still pretty good, Shigong Tianye's defense puts a lot of pressure on you. If we don't make any changes in the second half, we really won't be able to win this game!"
"Hey, Budo, can you say something?"
It was clearly halftime and Mitsui was clearly sitting on the bench, but he seemed much more anxious than when he was on the court.
When he was playing, Mitsui Shou focused all his attention on the court. Only after he left the court did Mitsui Shou feel a little scared. He was somewhat glad that Ryonan High School actually let Guan Ping, the slowest player, defend Mugure Konobu.
But when he thought about the changes in Ryonan's defense in the second half, he felt very uneasy. And the attitude of Coach Anzai also made him very anxious. In Mitsui's mind, Xiangbei had no way to confront Ryonan head-on!
"What? What's there to say?"
Jinguji Budou obviously didn't understand what Mitsui Shou was worried about. He also knew the gap between Shohoku and Ryonan in hard power, but Budou also knew that he couldn't win the game by being anxious.
When Mitsui Hisashi saw Jinguji Budo's calm face, his originally anxious mood calmed down unconsciously.
Looking intently into Wu Dao's eyes, Mitsui Shou suddenly asked:
"What can you do?"
Seeing Mitsui Shou's expression, Wu Dao couldn't help but smile: "Calm down now."
"Of course I have a solution, and my solution is you!"
Budo said, pointing at Mitsui Shou.
Mitsui Shou suddenly heard Wu Dao mention him, and he was also a little surprised and said, "Huh? Me?"
It was no wonder that Mitsui Shou was so surprised, because today's game had lasted for 20 minutes, and Jinguji Budou had only passed the ball to him a few times, and his shots were also pitifully few. He had many chances, but Budou often chose to pass the ball to Akagi in the paint or force it himself.
Although Wudao's offensive effects were good, this made Mitsui Shou subconsciously think that his only role on the court was to defend Sendoh.
"Yeah, you!"
"In the second half, our Xiangbei team's offensive focus will be on you."
"I've been preparing for this for so long, just to wait for this moment!"
"In the second half, we just need to let Mugure replace Chiba and stand in the bottom corner during the offense to distract Ryonan's defense."
"At that time, I will focus on breaking through and passing the ball to either you or Mu Mu."
"Xian Dao's attention will definitely be drawn to my breakthrough. That will be your chance."
"Fujima needs to keep an eye on Miyagi. If Shinomiya Tano defends me alone, I have a way to break through him and get to the basket. Uozumi will definitely play in the second half, and Hanagata will most likely be distracted by Murasakibara's position. By then, there will be only Uozumi at most under the basket."
"Ryonan can't just ignore Yuzumi who committed three fouls. No matter if it's Shinomiya Tano, Sendoh, or Hanagata, their attention will be focused on the person who broke into the inside, that is, me."
"When the time comes, you guys must seize the opportunity and don't waste my pass!"
Jinguji Takeshi stretched his body in his seat and said to Mitsui Hisashi.
When these words fell into Mitsui Shou's ears, the other players of Xiangbei also heard them. Coach Anzai also looked over. The players thought that Coach Anzai would say something, but he didn't expect that after hearing these words, Coach Anzai just said:
"In the second half, just follow what Budo said."
Chiba, who had inexplicably lost the opportunity to play, scratched his head and didn't say much. There was nothing he could do. After all, Budou graduated from the same junior high school as him. The two of them were familiar with each other. Chiba Daishi also firmly believed in Jinguji Budou's ability. If it weren't for Budou, it would be a question whether Shohoku could advance to the county competition this year.
"I see. Because of your performance in the previous game and in the first half, Ryonan High School will not let Shinomiya Tano defend you alone."
"What's more, Yuzumi has already committed three fouls. Whether facing you or Akagi, he will be restricted. If Hanagata is pulled to the outside by Murasaki at this time, Yuzumi will become a target for you and Akagi."
"but... .."
"What if Fujima doesn't defend Miyagi as you expected? You know Miyagi's shooting ability..."
Before Mitsui Shou could finish his words, Miyagi Ryouta, who was standing by, could not help but jump up and interrupted him directly:
"Hey, hey, hey! Mitsui-senpai, don't underestimate me!"
"I've been practicing my mid-range shot a lot lately! If Fujima leaves me open, I have the ability to score!"
Wudao looked at Miyagi who jumped up, smiled and nodded at Miyagi, motioning Mitsui Shou to look over.
Miyagi Ryouta looked confident, but Mitsui was still worried. The game had been going on for such a long time, and Miyagi had not taken many mid-range shots. To be honest, Mitsui did not dare to bet on Miyagi's shooting ability.
"Xiao San, don't think too much."
"To be honest, whether we can defeat Ryonan with this tactic is still a question. It all depends on the performance of the players."
"After all, no matter how good the plan is, if the players can't make open shots, the game can't be won."
"But you still have to trust them. Whether it's Mugure or Miyagi, they usually work very hard."
"I have always believed that sweat will never betray a player."
"In the second half, we need to risk everything to confront Ryonan head-on. Only in this way can we have a chance of winning."
"Let go completely. Win or lose, it all depends on the last twenty minutes!"
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