Seven and a half minutes into the first half, Mitsui Hisashi made a steady three-pointer and the score between the two teams came to 16:20.
Ryonan High School encountered an unprecedented disadvantageous situation.
In response to this, Ryonan High School, which had not changed its playing style, began to make some adjustments.
"Sendō, Fujima, Hanagata, it's almost time, execute tactic B."
Shinomiya Tano looked at the Xiangbei players who had returned to the court, and decisively called several of his teammates, intending to implement new tactics.
Upon hearing this, Xiandao and others nodded and turned their eyes to the front court.
"It's a little late. If it had been executed earlier, we wouldn't have been two goals ahead of Xiangbei."
Fujima received the serve from his teammate in the backcourt, and after a grunt, he began to move quickly towards the frontcourt with the ball. His dribbling speed was not fast. It took him several seconds to enter the frontcourt with the ball after his teammates entered the frontcourt.
The overall offensive rhythm of Lingnan High School began to slow down significantly.
After entering the frontcourt, Shinomiya Tano quickly ran towards Sendoh. As the two of them crossed paths, Jinguji Takeshi and Mitsui Hisashi did not switch defense and directly chased after him, so they were left one step behind by Shinomiya Tano and Sendoh. The two people who got the gap actually cut into the inside from the top of the arc on both sides at the same time.
At the same time, Jun Uozumi and Toru Hanagata, who were standing in the inside, moved up to help Shinomiya Tano and Sendoh with pick-and-roll respectively.
Jinguji Budou's follow-up speed was very fast. Although Shinomiya Tano got a gap in his body position, he was quickly caught up by Budou. In addition, the quality of Uozumi Jun's pick-and-roll was also average, and he was easily bypassed by Budou.
However, there was no problem with the defense on Budou's side, but there was a big problem with the defense on Mitsui's side. Hanagata Toru's pick-and-roll quality was very good, and there were also some problems in the communication between Mitsui and Sakuragi Hanamichi. Sakuragi, who was supposed to fill in for Hanagata, subconsciously switched defense with Mitsui at this moment and moved towards Sendoh.
However, it was this lack of tacit understanding in their movement that allowed Fujima to see an opportunity.
The basketball was passed high and steadily landed in Huaxing's hands. Huaxing took the basketball and made a mid-range shot in an open space, sending the ball into the net.
At 18:20, the score difference was narrowed to two points.
"Ryonan's offensive tactics have changed."
"Have you made any adjustments to increase the success rate?"
On the sidelines, Coach Anxi was not surprised to see this scene on the court. He touched the thick flesh on his chin and thought to himself.
On the court, everyone at Xiangbei also noticed that the opponent's offensive tactics had changed. Mitsui Shou also made a prompt decision and shouted directly to his teammates:
"Change the defensive method and play zone defense."
"Don't just chase after the person you're defending."
After saying that, the Xiangbei players began to advance towards the front court.
Not long after, Rukawa Kaede entered the front court with the ball. It was not until Rukawa Kaede entered the front court with the ball that he realized that not only the offensive tactics of Ryonan High School had changed, but also the defensive tactics had changed greatly.
When Rukawa dribbled into the frontcourt and passed the ball to Jinguji Budou, the Ryonan players began to take action.
Hanagata Toru, who was originally defending Sakuragi Hanamichi, actually left Sakuragi alone and ran towards Jinguji Budou quickly. While running, Hanagata was also on guard against Jinguji Budou passing the ball, so he was always stuck between Budou and Sakuragi.
When Takeshi Jinguji got the ball, he was at the right corner, while Sakuragi was at the left corner in the middle distance. There was a considerable distance between the two. If Takeshi wanted to pass the ball to Sakuragi over Hanagata, he had to use a high lob.
However, the slow lob ball can easily be intercepted by Fujima at the top of the arc. Although Fujima is not very tall, his speed is very fast, enough to run in front of Sakuragi to intercept.
"A double team of Hanagata and Shinomiya Tano?"
"Sakuragi is left alone, but in this case, doesn't Sakuragi have a good chance?"
Wudao glanced at Hanagata who was rushing towards him quickly, and passed the ball back to Rukawa, hoping that Rukawa could pass the ball to Sakuragi in the open space for Sakuragi to make a mid-range shot.
But when the basketball entered Rukawa's hands, Fujima, who was guarding against Rukawa, ignored Rukawa and stepped back, leaving room for a breakthrough.
Facing this situation, Rukawa certainly couldn't miss such an opportunity and broke through directly. However, as soon as Rukawa started, Hanagata, who was originally rushing towards Budo, instantly formed a double team with Fujima, blocking Rukawa's breakthrough route.
Just when Rukawa was about to pass the ball, Shinomiya Tano suddenly appeared behind Rukawa, and his finger accurately tapped the basketball, knocking it down.
"What?!" Feeling his hands empty, Rukawa couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. He turned his head and saw the basketball flying forward and falling into Fujima's hands.
"Three packs and one!"
"The target is Rukawa Kaede!"
Ryonan High School's double-teaming of Jinguji Budou was just a sheep's attack. From the very beginning, they were targeting the freshman point guard of Shohoku High School, Rukawa Kaede!
"Go back to defense! Go back to defense quickly!"
The basketball was intercepted, Mitsui Shou shouted and quickly returned to the court.
At this time, Fujima, who had got the basketball, quickly passed the ball to Sendoh who was running forward. After getting the ball, the latter quickly rushed towards the Shohoku half.
Along with Sendoh Akira was Shimono, who also participated in the double-team.
In the blink of an eye, Ryonan's Sendoh and Shinomiya Tano had already entered the Shohoku half.
"Xian Dao, behind me!"
Just as Sendoh crossed the three-point line with the ball, Shinomiya Tano who was not far away reminded him loudly. As soon as Shinomiya Tano's words fell, Jinguji Takeshi's figure was already level with Sendoh. With the corner of his eyes, he paid attention to Sendoh while also observing Shinomiya Tano's position.
“What a fast speed!”
"I was caught up so quickly!"
Sendoh sighed inwardly, and then without any fear, he actively sought physical confrontation while dribbling the ball, and directly pushed sideways against Jinguji Takeshi who was chasing him.
After being teammates with Shinomiya Tano for a long time, Sendoh's offensive habits will inevitably be influenced by Shinomiya Tano.
"Hmm... Such a strong force."
When Sendoh was on top of Jinguji Budou, he was suddenly shocked to find that the opponent's strength was not inferior to his own. He took the initiative to fight back, but not only was he unable to push the opponent back, but he was hit by Jinguji Budou and lost his balance.
Sendoh's speed slowed down and the rhythm of his dribbling was obviously affected. Jinguji Takeshi's expression became fierce and he reached out to grab the basketball.
“Bang!
!”
Jinguji Budo slapped the basketball directly, knocking it to the ground.
A very precise and clean steal.
However, after the basketball landed, there was no chance for Wudao to get the ball. Sendoh paused, and at the moment when Wudao stole the ball, he jumped and hugged the ball in his arms. At the same time, he slammed his hands under his crotch and passed the ball to Shinomiya Tano behind Wudao.
Sendoh's pass was at a very low angle, and a player of Jinguji Budou's height had no time to bend down to steal the ball. He could only watch the basketball fly past him and fall into Shinomiya Tano's hands.
Sendoh passed the ball at a low angle, and Shinomiya also bent deeply when receiving the ball.
When he straightened up, dribbled the ball and jumped, the other players of Xiangbei High School had already arrived in place!
"Don't even think about it!"
Rukawa shouted softly, and jumped into the air almost at the same time as Shinomiya Tano, and slapped the basketball in Shinomiya Tano's hand with one hand.
"Who are you talking to, kid?!"
Shimono Yamada shouted loudly, and his body twisted strangely in mid-air. His original facing-the-basket posture changed to facing sideways to the basket. The basketball in his hand fell downward, directly avoiding Rukawa Kaede's block.
“Bang!”
Approaching the basket, Shimoya dunked the ball into the net with both hands. The sound of the slam dunk exploded in the stadium, igniting the enthusiasm of the audience in the stands.
"Ohhh! What is that?! Pull-up and dunk?!"
"How is this possible? You can turn halfway in the air?!"
"So strong! What a powerful slam dunk!"
The audience's exclamations flooded into the court. Jinguji Takeshi stood in front of Sendoh and turned around to look at Shinomiya Tano who was grabbing the basket with both hands, and raised his eyebrows.
"Phew~ That was a close call."
"You almost stole the ball. If the ball had been stolen, I would have been scolded to death by Coach Tiangang."
“Thank goodness~Thank goodness~”
Xiandao slowly got up from the floor, brushed off the dust on his body which was not much at all, and said with a smile.
After saying that, Sendoh looked deeply at Jinguji Budou, then turned and ran towards his own half of the court.
"Little devil, are you worthy enough to challenge me?!"
Under the Xiangbei basket, Shimoya released his hands that were holding the basket and fell back to the ground. He turned his head, glanced at Rukawa with contempt, and spoke.
Without waiting for Rukawa to react, Shinomiya Tano had already stepped away from the basket, completely ignoring Rukawa.
"..." Rukawa Kaede lowered his head without saying a word, his fists clenched tightly, feeling a sense of depression in his chest. He raised his head and saw the figure of Jinguji Budo.
"Ryukawa Kaede, don't think too much, that guy is just trying to irritate you."
"This guy Shinomiya Tano is very strong personally, and his trash talk is not much different from his strength."
"Don't let him provoke you."
"Ryonan High School has set its sights on you."
Wudao patted Rukawa's shoulder, then walked to the baseline, picked up the basketball, handed the ball to Rukawa, and then ran quickly towards the frontcourt.
After getting the basketball, Rukawa looked from a distance at Shimonoseki and others who had returned to their own half of the court to defend, and a smile suddenly appeared on his stern face.
"The target... is me?!"
With a low murmur, Rukawa quickly dribbled the ball into the front court.
Rukawa Kaede manages his facial expressions quite well. Just by looking at his face, it is impossible to tell what emotion he is feeling.
However, the players of Ryonan still used the previous defensive strategy. It is not known whether it was because Ryonan knew that Rukawa would not pass the ball to Sakuragi Hanamichi, but Hanagata seemed to be very confident in Rukawa.
When Rukawa entered the frontcourt, he moved some distance between himself and Sakuragi, intending to move himself closer to the free throw line, so that he could fill in for both Fujima and Shinomiya Tano.
“Pass the ball!”
"Pass the ball quickly! Stinky fox!"
"Opportunity! I only have a chance today!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi, who was left out, was very excited at this moment. He patted his chest and shouted loudly to Rukawa Kaede.
Well, you know what, his words really had some effect. Hanagata Toru moved closer and paid more attention to Sakuragi.
"fool!"
"Your chances aren't as good as mine!"
Rukawa whispered in his heart, and after a crotch dribble, the basketball switched to his left hand. While dribbling in midair, Rukawa made a fake breakthrough and then quickly broke through with a dragging step.
Rukawa's body hit Fujima directly, and the huge force pushed Fujima away, opening up a path for himself.
"Um?!"
Rukawa's breakthrough was somewhat unexpected. No one in Ryonan thought that Rukawa, who had just been intercepted the ball a second ago, would dare to play on his own at this moment.
"A little devil who never learns his lesson!"
Shinomiya Tano smiled and murmured, but did not rush over immediately. Instead, he leaned towards Budou, intending to restrict Jinguji Budou from catching the ball first.
At this time, Hanagata, who was near the free throw line, stepped forward to block Rukawa's path. At the same time that Rukawa was blocked, Fujima quickly rushed towards Rukawa from behind, trying to steal the ball from behind.
Just when Fujima was about to make a move, Rukawa paused and jumped up directly with the ball.
"Has this kid lost his mind!?"
"Strong throw! What are you thinking?!"
When Hanagata and Fujima saw Rukawa's actions, their hearts sank. Hanagata Toru, who was blocking Rukawa, jumped up and blocked Rukawa's sight.
However, after the sudden stop, Rukawa jumped backwards, and the flower-shaped hand only reached Rukawa's forearm, at most blocking Rukawa's vision.
As for Fujima, he was broken through by Rukawa and left behind. At this moment, with his height, he could not interfere with Rukawa's jump shot at all.
In a breath, the basketball was thrown out from Rukawa Kaede's hands, directly passed over Hanagata and flew towards the basket.
The straight and straight shooting line made all the players of Ryonan turn around and look at the basket.
"Swish!" The next second, a soft sound was heard.
Sakuragi Hanamichi, who was watching Rukawa Kaede score the goal, seemed to be the one who could not accept it the most. He covered his head with his hands in disbelief and whispered, "Wha...what?!"
The eyes of the other Ryonan players all changed when they looked at Rukawa.
No one expected that Rukawa, a freshman, would be so bold. He had just been intercepted, but now he dared to force a shot on his own.
If it were a normal player, if he had just made a mistake, he would be very cautious in the next shot. He would not break through or pass the ball easily and would be very careful.
But Rukawa Kaede... this first-year student seems to have no idea what "caution" is.
When Wudao saw Rukawa Kaede score a goal, he smiled and clapped his hands, encouraging him: "Well done, Rukawa Kaede!"
"Keep up your style, it's great!"
After saying that, he turned to Shigong Tianye and asked:
"How's it going? Our first-year students in Xiangbei are pretty good, right?"
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