"What did I just see? That red-haired monkey... when did it become so powerful?"
Kiyota Nobunaga looked shocked and said in disbelief.
Maki Shinichi said in a deep voice, "He has indeed become stronger!"
Hainan, Ryonan, Meihou Industrial, Aiwa Academy, Toyotama... all the teams that had ever played against Shohoku were shocked.
That shameless Sakuragi Hanamichi, that vengeful master of shovels, has actually grown to such a terrifying level.
He's simply a super genius!
"As expected of the genius Sakuragi Hanamichi!"
"Sakuragi Hanamichi! You played so well! You were amazing!"
"Genius! Genius!"
Before they knew it, many people on the field began to shout the title of "genius," and they admired Sakuragi Hanamichi from the bottom of their hearts.
Kawada Mikio sat dejectedly on the stool, trying hard to control his emotions, but tears still streamed down his face.
"Waaaaah..."
The 210cm tall, 130kg giant, Mikio Kawada, cried like a child.
Coach Domoto said with great remorse, "Miki, it was my misjudgment. I shouldn't have treated this match as your debut!"
Mikio Kawata was completely absorbed in his own sad world and did not respond to Coach Domoto.
Coach Domoto then comforted him, saying, "Mikami, you've done very well for your first game! I believe you'll definitely become a powerful center in the future!"
In the past, if Masashi Kawata had seen his younger brother looking so timid, he would have yelled and scolded Mikio Kawata.
But this time, Masashi Kawata unusually comforted her, saying, "Mikami, the coach is right! To play like this in your first game, your performance is already very good!"
For some reason, Mikio Kawada cried even more bitterly.
Masashi Kawata patted his younger brother on the shoulder, comforting him, "Everyone encounters failures and setbacks during the process of growing up. You will either be defeated by these failures and setbacks and never recover, or..."
At this point, Masashi Kawata's voice noticeably rose several decibels, and he said in a powerful voice, "Either you grit your teeth and overcome these failures and setbacks! The person who defeated you is Sakuragi Hanamichi, so take him as your target to defeat!"
"Mikami! You can do it! I believe in you!"
Mikio Kawada looked at his brother with tears in his eyes.
People around him chimed in, "Go for it, Mikio!"
"Yeah! Mikio! Your physical attributes are better than many professional players! You'll definitely be fine!"
"Go for it, Mikio! Next year, our Sannoh Industrial will be counting on you to carry the team!"
No one at Sannoh Industrial blamed Mikio Kawada; they all encouraged him.
This brought unparalleled warmth to Kawata Mikio, who had suffered tons of damage from Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Perhaps, for some people, when they fall into a trough, what they need is this kind of care and comfort.
Blindly blaming and cursing will only make them more desperate!
At this moment, Coach Anzai of Shohoku High School said, "You played very well in the first half! But you can't get carried away!"
"The real game to defeat the Sannoh team has only just begun!"
The five Shohoku players did not get carried away by their 13-point lead over Sannoh in the first half; they strongly agreed with Coach Anzai's words.
In the stands, Aida Hikoichi exclaimed excitedly, "That's amazing! Shohoku is incredible! They're leading Sannoh Kogyo by 13 points!"
Sendoh Akira smiled slightly: "Yes! They are indeed very powerful."
Although Ryonan lost to Shohoku and also to Sannoh, they were happy to see Shohoku, also from Kanagawa, leading Sannoh by 13 points.
Hikoichi Aida pondered, "Sannoh Industrial shouldn't be this weak, right?"
Coach Taoka revealed an expression of complete control and analyzed, "Sannoh Industrial, the three-time national champion, is definitely not just at this level, and they will definitely not surrender easily."
"Putting everything else aside, Sawakita Eiji, this super ace, didn't perform much in the first half before being substituted. He's known as the number one high school basketball player in the country! He's bound to explode in the second half. Let's see if Shohoku can hold on."
"Also, Nobe Masahiro's performance was significantly more consistent than Kawata Mikio's, so he will definitely be substituted in for the second half."
"Besides, Ichinokura Satoshi is a defensive specialist. The purpose of sending him on in the first half was to limit Mitsui Hisashi's shots and wear him down. I predict that in the second half, in order to catch up, Sannoh will definitely bring on a scorer and replace Ichinokura Satoshi."
Upon hearing Coach Taoka's analysis, the entire Ryonan team looked solemn, as if they could already foresee a bloody and fierce battle about to begin.
They couldn't help but wonder, "Can Shohoku hold on in the second half?"
At this moment, the referee shouted loudly, "Second half, start!"
Both Sannoh Industrial and Shohoku teams marched onto the court full of fighting spirit.
"Wow! They really made a substitution!" Aida Hikoichi said excitedly, pointing at the two teams.
The lineup currently in play for Sannoh Industrial is:
Number 4, Kazunari Fukatsu, third year student, 180cm tall, guard.
Number 5, Masahiro Nobe, third year student, 198cm tall, center.
Number 6, Minoru Matsumoto, third-year student, 180cm tall, guard.
Number 7, Masashi Kawata, third year student, 194cm tall, center.
Number 9, Eiji Sawakita, second year student, 188cm tall, small forward.
Minoru Matsumoto replaced Satoshi Ichinokura.
Nobe Masahiro and Sawakita Eiji also returned to the battlefield.
The Shohoku team also made a substitution, replacing Kogure Kiminobu with Rukawa Kaede.
As the referee tossed the basketball high into the air, Masashi Kawata and Takenori Akagi, positioned in the center circle, leaped into the air with all their might.
Two large hands touched the basketball almost simultaneously, and the basketball flew in an uncontrollable direction due to the combined force of the two people.
This time, Kazunari Fukatsu beat Sakuragi Hanamichi to the punch and grabbed the basketball.
In an instant, the entire Sannoh team sprinted forward!
The entire Shohoku team launched a rapid defensive attack.
Sawakita Eiji charged the furthest, but Rukawa Kaede's speed was in no way inferior.
Rukawa Kaede will absolutely not give Sawakita Eiji the chance to make a sprint alone.
Soon, both sides rushed onto the Shohoku team's position.
Nobe took a step towards Sawakita Eiji.
With a "boom"!
Rukawa Kaede bumped into Nobe Masahiro.
Nobe Masahiro's pick-and-roll was successful!
Sawakita Eiji successfully shook off Rukawa Kaede's defense and rushed to the three-point line.
Without hesitation, Kazunari Fukatsu passed the basketball to Eiji Sawakita, who was standing outside the three-point line.
Without hesitation, Sawakita Eiji jumped up and shot the basketball!
A perfect arc swept across Rukawa Kaede's head.
With a "whoosh" sound!
The basketball swished through the net!
It's a three-pointer!
At the start of the second half, Sannoh's super ace, Eiji Sawakita, made a stunning three-pointer that amazed the entire audience!
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