With Mitsui Hisashi hitting another three-pointer, the score between Shohoku and Toyotama became 10-5.
Shohoku team opened up a point difference right from the start.
Objectively speaking, this was indeed quite difficult for the Shohoku team.
When playing in Kanagawa Prefecture, Shohoku often falls behind by ten or more points at the start, then desperately tries to catch up.
Unexpectedly, Shohoku played so strongly from the start in their first match of the national tournament.
Shohoku High School boasts a powerful center, Takenori Akagi, in the paint and a sharpshooting three-point shooter, Hisashi Mitsui, on the perimeter. This combination of strong inside and outside play is incredibly formidable!
Even the arrogant Toyotama team began to take the Shohoku team seriously for the first time.
"Damn! I didn't expect the Shohoku team to be this strong!"
When Kishimoto Minori saw Mitsui Hisashi shoot another three-pointer, a look of unwillingness appeared on her face.
Then, Kishimoto Minori looked at Nan Lie and said, "Nan, you..."
Kishimoto Minori hesitated to speak.
Clearly, before the start of the tournament, Toyotama believed that Shohoku had only made it to the national tournament thanks to Rukawa Kaede, the top scorer. However, since the start of the tournament, Rukawa Kaede, who is known as Shohoku's top scorer, has been playing with his teammates and hasn't even taken a single shot!
If they had known it would be like this, Toyotama would never have assigned Minami to keep a close eye on Rukawa.
Seeing that Mitsui Hisashi had made two three-pointers, and both of them went in, Nan Lie even considered giving up on guarding Rukawa Kaede and switching to guarding Mitsui Hisashi instead!
However, at this moment, Daijiro Itakura interrupted with a smile, saying, "No need! I'll handle it!"
Toyotama team finished second in Osaka Prefecture.
However, the top scorer in Osaka Prefecture was Minami Ryō.
Minori Kishimoto came in second in Osaka Prefecture.
The third-highest scorer in Osaka Prefecture is none other than Toyotama's point guard, Daijiro Itakura!
Toyotama swept the top three spots in Osaka Prefecture's scoring.
Therefore, Toyotama team has the confidence and strength to back it up!
Seeing that Daijiro Itakura volunteered, Minori Kishimoto abandoned the idea of having Minami give up guarding Rukawa Kaede and said with a smile, "Itakura! Yes! That's how it should be! Let those guys from Shohoku see the true strength of our Toyotama team!"
Then, Kishimoto Minori added, "You guys should pass me the ball more! I can beat that number 10 from Shohoku! That kind of weakling is no match for me!"
Although Shohoku was leading Toyotama by 5 points, that difference was not enough to demoralize Toyotama.
Toyotama serves at this moment.
The basketball came into the hands of Daijiro Itakura.
Toyotama continued their fast-paced offense, and in the blink of an eye, Daijiro Itakura dribbled the basketball across the midcourt.
Ryota Miyagi assumed a defensive stance, attempting to block Daijiro Itakura's attack.
"Hey shorty! Do you even know what makes a good point guard?"
Daijiro Itakura mercilessly mocked Ryota Miyagi.
The words had barely left his mouth!
Daijiro Itakura jumped up and shot!
"What?! He actually!"
Ryota Miyagi never expected that Daijiro Itakura, the point guard, would actually shoot from beyond the three-point line!
This completely overturned Miyagi Ryota's understanding!
According to Ryota Miyagi, the main task of a point guard is to use his speed, skill, and basketball IQ to create excellent shooting opportunities for his teammates.
Unexpectedly, Daijiro Itakura chose to shoot directly, and it was a three-pointer!
It must be said that Daijiro Itakura's fighting style was truly impeccable.
The basketball drew a perfect parabola.
With a "whoosh" sound!
The basketball swished through the net!
It's a three-pointer!
Toyotama's point guard, Daijiro Itakura, responded to Shohoku with a stunning three-pointer that captivated the entire arena.
The score between Shohoku and Toyotama became 10-8.
Although Shohoku was still leading Toyotama by 3 points, Toyotama's point guard, Daijiro Itakura, was surprisingly capable of shooting three-pointers, something Shohoku hadn't expected.
Wow! As expected of Toyotama Team!
"Yeah! Facing Shohoku's three-pointer, Toyotama actually made another three-pointer, and it was point guard Daijiro Itakura who made it!"
"You might not know this, but the top three scorers in Osaka Prefecture are all Toyotama players: Minami Ryo is first, Kishimoto Minori is second, and Itakura Daijiro is third!"
"However, despite this, Shohoku's interior defense is clearly stronger than Toyotama's! The degree of control in the paint will affect the three-point shooting percentage!"
That's absolutely true. If your team completely dominates the paint, then your three-point shooters will feel more confident when they take a shot.
Mitsui Hisashi's ability to make both of his shots was not only due to his own superb three-point shooting skills, but also undoubtedly influenced by Akagi Takenori and Sakuragi Hanamichi's dominance under the basket.
On the other hand, while Toyotama's Minami and Itakura Daijiro possess three-point shooting ability, whether they can consistently make three-pointers is truly an unknown!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com