Chapter Forty-Six: Ryonan VS Shoyo
"Amazing! This year's Ryonan is so strong!!"
Ryonan 128 - Otowa East 57
Second game. Ryonan's full starting lineup still only played the first quarter to maintain their touch. The remaining time, Coach Taoka continuously experimented with different lineup combinations.
Ryonan 99 - Koyo 61
Third game. Koyo unveiled a "small ball" lineup from the opening, completely abandoning interior attacks and having their shooters launch from outside.
Initially, their tactics actually showed results. Relying on the players' incredibly accurate three-pointers, they surprisingly traded blows with Ryonan's starting lineup without the score gap widening.
But Coach Taoka ignored their lineup, routinely substituting out Yagami and Sendoh in the second quarter.
Ryonan made tactical adjustments, proactively slowing the tempo and grinding Koyo defensively. Starting from the second half of the second quarter, Koyo's shooters lost their accuracy, their scoring efficiency plummeting dramatically.
This was Ryonan's first prefecture preliminary game failing to break 100 points, but they still won by 38.
"As expected. After all, the gap between Kanagawa's top four and other teams is too large." Hanagata Toru adjusted his glasses. "To advance to the next stage, we must first defeat Ryonan, right?"
"Yeah." Fujima Kenji's expression was grave. "We must make comprehensive preparations before the game."
"Against them, I'll play the full game."
Hanagata glanced at Fujima, who served as both Shoyo's perimeter ace and their coach on the floor. In the previous three games, Fujima had played at most half the game time.
"Really won't let me try first?" Hanagata said. "You could observe their playing style from the bench. That might be more important for Shoyo."
"I never doubt your ability." Fujima said seriously. "But this Ryonan isn't a team we can handle that way."
"Let's go back and prepare response strategies for various situations."
"Alright."
May 30th, Kanagawa Prefectural Gymnasium Arena A.
Half an hour before game time, the venue was already packed.
This head-to-head confrontation between Ryonan and Shoyo was widely considered the most significant match before the prefecture tournament's top four stage, receiving tremendous attention.
After all, today's victor could represent Kanagawa Prefecture in the Kanto regional selection tournament, and in the audience's eyes, both teams had winning possibilities.
"Today, who will claim victory—?"
"SHOYO! SHOYO!!"
"Which side will defeat their opponent and advance to regional selection—?"
"SHOYO! SHOYO!!"
"Wow, this momentum..." Spectators couldn't help exclaiming. "After all, they're a team that's made nationals. This cheering intensity is extraordinary!"
"RYONAN! RYONAN!" From another section of the stands, Ryonan High School's cheering squad wasn't backing down.
"They're coming out! Shoyo's players!"
"My god, their average height is ridiculous..."
"Feels like Shoyo has the better odds today."
Just then, a small commotion arose in the stands.
The entire Kainan University Affiliated team, led by captain Maki Shinichi, also appeared in the spectator seats. Today's winner would be their opponent.
"Maki-senpai," Kiyota Nobunaga asked curiously, "who do you think will win today?"
Maki folded his arms, his gaze sweeping across both teams warming up on court, speaking steadily: "Both teams are stronger than last year. Purely from tournament experience, Shoyo's advantage is indeed more obvious."
He paused, remembering something, and continued: "However, if it's truly like Soichiro analyzed before—that Ryonan has undergone a qualitative change this year... then I also lean toward Ryonan taking this victory."
"That's cheating. It's all Jin-senpai's intelligence. Now there's no surprise at all." Kiyota said.
"But who can really predict basketball's outcome?" Jin Soichiro smiled. "What if Shoyo's players have hot shooting today? Then beating any team is possible."
"No, with me—Kanagawa's number one recruit Kiyota Nobunaga—here, Kainan absolutely won't lose!"
"Haha, looks like the 'shin' in Nobunaga means 'confidence.'"
"Tweet!"
"Prefecture preliminary top-eight first match, Ryonan High School versus Shoyo High School officially begins!"
Ryonan's starting lineup: point guard Uekusa Tomoyuki, shooting guard Yagami Sorato, small forward Sendoh Akira, power forward Ikegami Ryoji, center Uozumi Jun.
Shoyo's starting lineup: point guard Fujima Kenji, five-foot-ten and 146 pounds; shooting guard Hasegawa Kazushi, six-foot-six and 183 pounds; small forward Nagano Mitsuru, six-foot-three and 185 pounds; power forward Takano Shoichi, six-foot-four and 187 pounds; center Hanagata Toru, six-foot-six and 183 pounds.
Since Yagami's position was shooting guard, at a glance, except for Uozumi Jun, Ryonan's entire lineup was height-suppressed!
"Please take care of us!"
"Shoyo's entire starting lineup is third-years?!" Aida realized belatedly.
"Except for Fujima, these big guys were previously Shoyo's backup players. Three years of high school polished them into techniques worthy of standing on the court." Coach Taoka said slowly. "So never underestimate their determination."
"Tweet!"
As the whistle blew, the referee tossed the ball.
"Smack!"
Uozumi won the tip. Ryonan's ball first!
Uekusa brought the ball forward.
"Looking this way, the interior really is crowded..."
Fujima maintained distance, letting Uekusa pass to Yagami.
"Must first try pulling them from the interior."
After creating space with a shake, Yagami launched a three-pointer.
"Clang!"
The first shot missed, the basketball bouncing off the rim.
"Rebound!"
Four or five players under the basket boxed out in a physical battle. Compared to these guys all at least six-foot-three, Ikegami couldn't squeeze in at all.
Nagano and Takano boxed out Uozumi. Hanagata secured the rebound.
"Get back!"
Ryonan retreated quickly on defense, but Shoyo had no intention of pushing fast breaks.
Fujima calmly dribbled across halfcourt. Facing Ryonan's defense, he coolly observed teammates' movement. Then his wrist flicked, sending the basketball in a high, floating arc.
"The pass is too high—Ryonan has no way to steal it!" The announcer couldn't help exclaiming. "Right from the opening, Shoyo is very clear about utilizing their height advantage!"
"Very smart strategy," Coach Taoka on the sideline folded his arms, evaluating objectively. "Though it seems simple, it's extremely practical."
The basketball was delivered precisely to Hanagata posting up near the free throw line.
Facing Uozumi's tight defense, Hanagata showed no hesitation. He elegantly spun, launching a fadeaway jumper!
"Is this really a center's movement?" Disbelieving whispers came from the stands.
Uozumi jumped at full strength to contest, but Hanagata's fadeaway was extremely pronounced. Combined with excellent release height, Uozumi's fingertips still had considerable distance from the basketball.
"Swish!"
The basketball swished cleanly through the net, crisp and decisive.
Shoyo scored first—2 points.
Ryonan 0 - Shoyo 2
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