Chapter Thirty: Starting Lineup
After the minor episode, the gymnasium's training atmosphere returned to normal—even more focused and intense than usual.
Building on Yagami's suggestions, Coach Taoka adjusted the plan for Ryonan's players, ultimately organizing a comprehensive program. Each player received clear, highly targeted training assignments uniquely suited to them.
Sendoh and Yagami paired up for extensive isolation scoring, pick-and-roll coordination, and passing drills. Coach Taoka demanded they not only score but keenly read defenses to create opportunities for teammates.
Fukuda and Ikegami formed another pair—the former continuing to strengthen his face-up attacks and cutting finishes, the latter focusing on positioning, help defense, and rebounding protection. The two served as complementary opposites in competitive drills.
Uozumi conducted defensive training with assistance from Sugahira Junji (backup center). The assignment: vertical leaping on defense and position anticipation, reducing unnecessary reaching fouls.
After completing basic dribbling and passing fundamentals, Uekusa added hundreds of spot-up shooting repetitions. Coach Taoka's requirement was simple: "When opponents leave you open, you must make them pay!"
What surprised Coach Taoka most was Yagami noticing something he'd previously overlooked—Aida Hikoichi's distinctive off-ball movement talent.
This talent's source perhaps originated from his reporter sister working at Weekly Basketball. The mountains of game footage piled at home had become Aida's unique basketball education.
Through countless viewings and imitation sessions, he'd unconsciously absorbed the movement patterns and timing selections of numerous professional players and off-ball masters.
Thus, Coach Taoka arranged for Koshino and Aida to train together on baseline cuts, curling off screens for catch-and-shoot jumpers, polishing their off-ball movement and quick-release rhythm.
The entire court's rhythm instantly became orderly. Every player brimmed with purposeful determination.
When team training concluded, one finishing task remained—collective free throw practice.
Within this, Uozumi's training volume was five times everyone else's. His massive frame bent knees and raised hands repeatedly, sweat having long soaked through his jersey.
Coach Taoka stood courtside with folded arms, watching Uozumi's every release. "Practice makes perfect. You transformed from a first-year with no highlights into one of Kanagawa's four great centers step by step precisely through this relentless perseverance."
"On this point, you give me the most peace of mind."
"YES SIR!"
The week of training passed in a flash.
This weekend, Ryonan scheduled no practice games. Only one month remained until the Inter-High prefecture preliminaries.
An unspoken tension permeated the training facility. Coach Taoka held his tactical board, preparing to finalize the team's official roster. Players sat below, watching him write each name on the blackboard.
Number 4, Uozumi Jun, Center, 6'8"/198lbs.
Number 5, Ikegami Ryoji, Power Forward/Small Forward, 6'0"/168lbs.
Number 6, Koshino Hiroaki, Shooting Guard, 5'9"/137lbs.
Number 7, Sendoh Akira, Small Forward/Point Guard, 6'3"/174lbs.
Number 8, Uekusa Tomoyuki, Point Guard, 5'7"/137lbs.
Number 10, Yagami Sorato, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, 6'2"/172lbs.
Number 11, Sugahira Junji, Center, 6'4"/190lbs.
Number 12, Aida Hikoichi, Shooting Guard, 5'5"/132lbs.
Number 13, Fukuda Kicchou, Power Forward, 6'2"/176lbs.
The official roster caused no stir among players. Everyone had anticipated this.
Coach Taoka paused slightly before writing his first starting lineup: point guard Uekusa Tomoyuki, shooting guard Yagami Sorato, small forward Sendoh Akira, power forward Ikegami Ryoji, center Uozumi Jun.
While writing "Ikegami Ryoji," Coach Taoka's peripheral vision continuously observed Fukuda within the group.
In truth, Fukuda was the starter in another lineup configuration. Coach Taoka deliberately wrote this version first to gauge his reaction.
Coach Taoka could tolerate some player willfulness, but regarding tactical arrangements, players must possess determination placing team victory above personal glory. If Fukuda couldn't even manage this step, Coach Taoka absolutely wouldn't let him set foot on official game courts.
Sure enough, the instant he saw the starting lineup, astonishment clearly crossed Fukuda's face. He instinctively clenched his fists, lips pressing into a stubborn line. Though he didn't understand, he didn't immediately explode.
During this period back with the team, Coach Taoka had completely changed from his previously harsh attitude, giving him considerable leeway. Fukuda could sense Coach Taoka's dedication to Ryonan.
Fukuda wanted to hear Coach Taoka's reasoning before fighting for his starting position.
Coach Taoka witnessed Fukuda's internal struggle and ultimate restraint completely. That taut string in his heart relaxed slightly, giving way to a trace of gratification.
"I'll first explain this lineup's initial positioning. After Uekusa dribbles past half court, Sendoh and Yagami position themselves at the forty-five-degree angles on opposite wings beyond the arc. Uozumi stations at the elbow, Ikegami sinks to the corner."
"Offensively, maximize Sendoh and Yagami's enormous gravitational pull on the wings to create opportunities for interior players or shooters."
"So when Uekusa initiates the offense, he passes to either Yagami or Sendoh on one side, then immediately cuts to the opposite corner, taking his defender with him. Uekusa, if your shooting ability isn't excellent enough, what happens?"
Uekusa stood to answer. "Opponents will leave me open to double-team my teammates."
"Good." Coach Taoka nodded. "Your purpose isn't rushing to find open space but drawing defenders away, leaving interior offensive room."
"Understood!"
"This strategy's core threat lies in Yagami and Sendoh's offensive capabilities. You two form mutual horns—whether to penetrate or distribute depends on specific situations."
"When pick-and-rolls are needed, Uozumi and Ikegami on the same side remember to step out anytime. Of course, more importantly, remember to roll to the basket after screening for cutting opportunities or offensive rebounding."
"Yes sir!"
The core reason Coach Taoka prioritized benching the offensively superior Fukuda while deploying the defensively steadier, team-oriented Ikegami stemmed precisely from absolute confidence in Yagami and Sendoh's scoring abilities.
After completing scoring, successful defense was key to gradually accumulating advantages and pulling away from opponents.
So the starting lineup's mission was establishing a solid two-way system, especially fortifying the defensive foundation.
As for Fukuda, he was Coach Taoka's envisioned ideal sixth man.
His existence meant that when opponents gradually adapted to Ryonan's starting offensive and defensive rhythm, he'd function as a variable, abruptly changing game tempo, using relentless scoring ability to completely demolish opponent defenses and decisively lock up victories.
To verify this approach, Coach Taoka scheduled the most suitable opponent for Ryonan before Inter-High.
After gaining Generation of Miracles member Murasakibara Atsushi, possessing multiple players over six-foot-six, renowned for ironclad defense, holding the title "Absolute Defense," with records of holding opponents scoreless entire games—Yosen High School!
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