For Sakuragi Hanamichi now, his dunking success rate is relatively low when he is being guarded, especially when a strong center like Uozumi Jun is guarding him.
As for CITIC, its success rate is also very low now.
Therefore, Sakuragi Hanamichi's best option at this moment is to pass the basketball to his teammate, and then rush to the basket to protect the area under the basket.
And this teammate was none other than Rukawa Kaede.
I'm so glad I can finally team up with Rukawa Kaede!
Sakuragi Hanamichi looked arrogantly at Uozumi Jun and said, "Uozumi, watch how I dunk in front of you!"
Jun Uozumi scoffed, "You? Have you forgotten what that big hot pot I just gave you tasted like?"
Sakuragi Hanamichi wasn't angry at all and continued to mock, "You defeated opponent, how dare you laugh at me? How did I just steal the basketball from you?"
Uozumi Jun's expression turned serious, and he shouted, "Come on! Let me see just how capable you really are!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi dribbled the basketball steadily, preparing to attack Uozumi Jun!
But then Ayako, who was off the court, shouted, "Sakuragi Hanamichi, don't do anything reckless! Focus on coordinating with your teammates!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi confidently declared, "Don't worry! I'm confident! Today I'll show Uozumi what I'm made of! I'll let him see my true strength!"
Jun Uozumi narrowed his eyes, because Sakuragi Hanamichi was such an unpredictable person, always seeming to do something unexpected, so he had to take him seriously.
"Uozumi! I'm here!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi roared and charged toward Uozumi Jun with the ball!
Jun Uozumi was fully prepared and showed no signs of being intimidated!
But just as the two were about to clash!
With a "whoosh"!
Sakuragi Hanamichi actually passed the ball!
Sakuragi Hanamichi passed the basketball to Rukawa Kaede!
Sakuragi Hanamichi looked smugly at Uozumi Jun, who was staring at him in astonishment. "Heh heh heh, didn't expect that, did you?"
Jun Uozumi really hadn't expected Sakuragi Hanamichi to go through so much preamble and buildup, only to ultimately push the climax onto Rukawa Kaede. He genuinely thought that the arrogant Sakuragi Hanamichi intended to have another one-on-one fight with him!
Then, Sakuragi Hanamichi looked happily at Rukawa Kaede.
Come on, Rukawa Kaede, it's up to you now!
I've passed the ball to you, and now I'm rushing to the basket!
I believe you can make the shot, and even if you don't, I can still grab the rebound.
Huh?
etc!
What's going on?
Sakuragi Hanamichi suddenly froze!
A large hand suddenly appeared in front of Rukawa Kaede, stealing Sakuragi Hanamichi's pass!
White No. 5!
It's Ryoji Ikegami!
The question is, how did Ryoji Ikegami end up in that position?
Wasn't he defending against Kogure Kiminobu?
Isn't Sendoh Akira the only one defending against Rukawa Kaede?
At this moment, Coach Taoka, standing on the sidelines, smiled broadly, overjoyed. "Sakuragi Hanamichi, Sakuragi Hanamichi, although I didn't expect you to have such impressive defensive moves, and even to be able to snatch the ball directly from Uozumi's hands, I did underestimate you. However, you are still a beginner in basketball. Your dribbling layup and mid-range shooting abilities are very poor, so your only option is to pass the ball to Shohoku's best player, Rukawa Kaede."
It turns out that Coach Taoka had seen through Sakuragi Hanamichi's thoughts all along!
No! To be precise, ever since Takenori Akagi got injured and left the court, Coach Taoka has determined that Kaede Rukawa is currently Shohoku's only offensive option.
Therefore, Coach Taoka specifically arranged for Ryoji Ikegami to assist Akira Sendoh in defending Kaede Rukawa.
Ryoji Ikegami is the strongest defensive player on the Ryonan team. With him assisting Akira Sendoh in defending Kaede Rukawa, Rukawa almost never has a chance to get the ball.
As expected, Sakuragi Hanamichi chose to pass the ball to Rukawa Kaede!
However, since Ikegami Ryoji also had to keep an eye on Kogure Kiminobu, his move just now only served to disrupt the game; the basketball was knocked away and not caught by him.
Just then!
Sakuragi Hanamichi dashed towards the basketball at top speed!
Meanwhile, Sakuragi Hanamichi cursed inwardly, "Damn it! That old bastard Taoka is really wicked, he actually assigned two people to defend Rukawa Kaede! What am I going to do?"
To everyone's astonishment, Sakuragi Hanamichi actually got his hands on the basketball again.
Seeing this, Coach Taoka nearly broke his thigh in frustration. "What's going on? How did Sakuragi Hanamichi manage to steal the ball again? What are you all doing?"
The spectators off the court exclaimed, "Wow! Sakuragi Hanamichi is amazing! He actually got the ball back after passing it out himself! His physical abilities are incredible!"
"Yes! He's so fast! And he doesn't seem to get tired at all."
"That's right! Look, even Rukawa is panting heavily, but Sakuragi Hanamichi is like a monster, he doesn't seem to get tired at all. It's terrifying!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi quickly calmed himself down after regaining control of the basketball.
It now appears that Rukawa Kaede has been completely contained by the defense, and the plan to team up with him has fallen through.
A layup by himself? That's not going to be easy! Uozumi is no pushover!
Huh?
etc!
With Ryoji Ikegami's attention focused on Kaede Rukawa, wouldn't that give Kiminobu Kogure a chance to make a move?
Thinking of this, Sakuragi Hanamichi looked at Rukawa Kaede!
Rukawa Kaede noticed Sakuragi Hanamichi's gaze and immediately began to move, trying to shake off Sendoh Akira and Ikegami Ryoji's defense.
In everyone's eyes, Sakuragi Hanamichi still seemed to be looking for an opportunity to pass the basketball to Rukawa Kaede, and Rukawa Kaede was also trying hard to find an opportunity to receive the ball.
Coach Taoka, standing off the court, said smugly, "I knew you could only pass the ball to Rukawa right now. Besides Rukawa, Shohoku has no other scoring options! Pass it! See if you can get the ball to Rukawa's hands? With Sendoh and Ikegami defending him, I don't believe Rukawa can get the ball. Even if Rukawa manages to get the ball, it will take a huge toll on his stamina!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi, still focused on Rukawa Kaede's direction, shouted loudly, "Rukawa Kaede, catch the ball!"
But in reality, he passed the basketball to Kiminobu Kogure on the other side!
Even Kogure Kiminobu himself was taken aback, let alone the Ryonan players!
No one expected that Sakuragi Hanamichi would do something completely unpredictable again!
What happened to the promised pass to Rukawa?
But Kiminobu Kogure still managed to catch the basketball steadily.
The moment Kogure Kiminobu received the ball, he immediately knew Sakuragi Hanamichi's intention.
As soon as Kogure Kiminobu got the basketball, he immediately stood up and shot, without any unnecessary movements—clean and efficient!
With his attention completely focused on Rukawa Kaede, Ikegami Ryoji hurriedly rushed towards Kogure Kiminobu's direction, attempting to jump and interfere.
But it was too late!
With a "whoosh" sound!
The basketball flew out of Kogure Kiminobu's hands!
Kiminobu Kogure's posture and movements were all correct; he threw the ball very steadily!
Goal!
The Shohoku bench erupted in cheers, "Great shot, Kogure-senpai! That was amazing!"
"So cool! Kogure-senpai is amazing!"
"Great! Go Shohoku!"
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