Chapter Fifty-Nine: Wild Card
First half ended.
Ryonan 55 - Kainan 48
Despite Yagami facing double-teams and Sendoh being fully locked down by Maki, Ryonan's roster revealed a third offensive option Kainan couldn't solve—Fukuda Kicchou. With excellent cutting and paint finishing ability, he'd scored 22 points at halftime, becoming the blade piercing Kainan's defensive line.
"Fukuda Kicchou... didn't expect Ryonan to have such an offensive weapon." Coach Takato continuously fanned himself, brow furrowed.
Though Kainan also frequently exploited Fukuda's defensive weaknesses to score, Ryonan was clearly prepared—Sendoh and Uozumi's help defense rotations grew increasingly coordinated.
This double-edged sword currently appeared more threatening in Coach Taoka's hands.
Coach Takato's gaze swept across the bench, ultimately landing on that small, glasses-wearing player.
"Miyamasu, third quarter you'll enter replacing Muto." Coach Takato's expression showed a trace of gravity. "Since they've revealed their secret weapon, naturally Kainan must also have countermeasures!"
"Yes!"
Miyamasu Yoshinori crisply removed his jacket, adjusted his glasses, and earnestly began warmup movements. Only his excessively thin frame (five-foot-three, 92 pounds) made him appear somewhat comical.
However, none of Kainan's players felt anything inappropriate.
Every spring, Kanagawa had masses of so-called middle school ace players joining champion Kainan out of admiration.
But under Kainan's harsh team training, half would quit after one week. After one month, another half of recruits would withdraw. By first year's end, less than twenty percent remained in Kainan's basketball program.
Yet Miyamasu stayed through his first year and reached third year.
Almost nobody favored him on first meeting, yet he still earned all Kainan players' trust through astonishing willpower.
After halftime, third quarter began.
"Do your best!"
"Show them well, Miyamasu-senpai!"
"It's on you, Miyamasu-senpai!"
Kiyota cheered from the side: "Miyamasu-senpai, once you get open, I'll definitely pass to your hands!"
"Oh, okay." Miyamasu nodded.
"Miyamasu, display these three years of effort fully!" Maki said seriously.
"Ah..." Miyamasu adjusted his glasses with both hands, responding earnestly: "I will. I'll absolutely give my all!"
"Good! Let's go!"
"YEAH!!"
The instant Miyamasu entered, he indeed sparked considerable discussion.
"Hmm? Who's that short weird guy?"
"Kainan has such a player?"
Sideline Aida also curiously asked Coach Taoka: "Actually substituting Muto-senpai—doesn't that make Kainan's height even lower?"
Taoka stared gravely at the court. Such a distinctive player's characteristics weren't hard to guess—or rather, what he could accomplish on court.
However, this remained quite a risky move. Something felt like Takato had other ideas.
"Hikoichi, watch his performance carefully." Coach Taoka said. "You and he both belong to the small-statured player type. How to exert your role on court—his performance will have considerable reference value for you."
"Ah, yes!" Aida quickly pulled out his notebook, watching the court seriously.
Ryonan's ball.
Yagami dribbled forward.
Miyamasu Yoshinori—this player left an impression.
In Shohoku's storyline year, he'd been used as a secret weapon countering Sakuragi. He possessed Kainan's second-best three-point ability after Jin.
But could he affect Ryonan?
Yagami dribbled while pondering.
"Sorato, watch out!"
Kiyota reached for a steal during his distraction. Yagami very casually flicked the ball behind, a behind-the-back dribble beating him.
"Whatever, just follow my rhythm."
Since Miyamasu's interior defensive threat was insufficient, Jin also stopped double-teaming with Kiyota, instead positioning inside for help defense.
After beating Kiyota, Yagami saw open space before him—directly pulled up for a jumper!
"Huh?!"
Kiyota turned back. The basketball traced an arc, drilling through the rim.
Ryonan 58 - Kainan 48
Three-pointer, good!
Opening the second half, Yagami immediately stretched the gap to double digits!
"Next time don't reach like that. Looks pretty stupid." Yagami kindly reminded Kiyota.
If his opponent's defensive level improved greatly in the future, there'd definitely be some credit due to himself, Yagami thought silently.
"Damn! DAMN!!"
"Stop spacing out—it's our offense!" After catching the baseline inbound, Maki shouted.
After Miyamasu entered, Kainan's offensive formation became "four out, one in."
Except for Takasago at the free throw line's wing, the other four all spread beyond the three-point line.
Instantly, Ryonan's defensive belly became extremely open.
"Want to space the floor for interior isolation? Or exploit Miyamasu's outside ability?" Yagami's defensive assignment was marking Jin, but he still tracked Kainan's entire team movements.
Maki held the ball at the arc. Given his explosive speed threat, Sendoh's defense had to retreat half a step.
At this moment, Takasago moved toward the high post on Maki's side. Both wings—Jin and Miyamasu—simultaneously moved to the corners.
"Fukuda/Fukuda-senpai, follow!" Ikegami and Yagami shouted simultaneously.
Fukuda was a step slow but still used speed advantages catching Miyamasu.
Ryonan's defense got pulled. Maki seized the opportunity, lobbing to Takasago.
"You think you can isolate me?!" Uozumi roared, immediately using his body to press up.
Feeling the pressure behind, Takasago didn't force an isolation. He backed into Uozumi, calmly observing teammates' movement.
Soon, Maki cut into the paint. Takasago quickly passed back.
Sendoh stayed glued to catching Maki, using his body to cut off position, denying step-up layup space.
Maki passed again—the basketball reached right-side Kiyota who'd briefly escaped defense.
The same instant Kiyota caught the ball, Takasago had already moved outside, setting a solid off-ball screen for Miyamasu, blocking relentlessly chasing Fukuda.
Kiyota's pass immediately followed.
Miyamasu caught beyond the three-point line with precious space. He caught, jumped, shot—motion showing no hesitation.
"Swish!"
Three-pointer, good.
Ryonan 58 - Kainan 51
"Made it! Three-pointer!" Miyamasu raised both fists, shouting excitedly.
Kainan's complex movement ultimately created shooting opportunities for Miyamasu—Ryonan players completely hadn't anticipated he'd be the final finishing point.
Maki draped his arm over Miyamasu's shoulders, telling Ryonan players: "Don't underestimate Kainan's signature player!"
Offensive transition. Ryonan's offense.
The instant Yagami crossed halfcourt, Jin and Kiyota again double-teamed.
"Huh?"
Yagami felt depressed. He'd only hit one shot.
Since that's how it was, he directly passed to Fukuda. The latter easily beat Miyamasu in one step for a layup.
Ryonan 60 - Kainan 51
Offensive transition. Kainan's offense was identical. Miyamasu again ran open for a three-point attempt.
Still good!
Ryonan 60 - Kainan 54
Ryonan's offense.
Takasago pulled outside defending Fukuda. Behind Uozumi actually stood Miyamasu?!
Uozumi wasn't some beginner like Sakuragi...
Yagami couldn't help rolling his eyes, lobbing inside while silently mourning for Miyamasu.
After catching, Uozumi naturally leaned back—in-place one-handed dunk scoring.
Ryonan 62 - Kainan 54
Miyamasu got knocked past the baseline.
Yagami stared intently at the referee. This was completely a physique-caused result. If this also counted as a foul—
Sure enough, the referee didn't whistle.
Kainan players also didn't protest, only checking Miyamasu's condition before immediately reinvesting in offense.
"Strange—what exactly does Kainan want?"
Courtside, Coach Taoka furrowed his brow, sharing Yagami's same question.
From the situation, Miyamasu greatly enhanced Kainan's outside offensive ability, but defensively had almost no effect. Simply put, just like Fukuda on court.
Surely they weren't trying to catch up through "three is greater than two" mutual offensive explosion?
"Senpai, why can that player always run open?" Nakamura asked puzzled. "His speed isn't fast. Ryonan's defense on him seems pretty serious too."
Aida looked surprisingly at the newcomer beside her. Didn't expect he could also pose decent questions.
"It's Kainan's number 5."
"Hmm?" Nakamura looked carefully at the court before finding Takasago. "This player who looks like Akagi Takenori?"
"..." Aida felt speechless, though they did look somewhat alike.
"Has he scored?... Seems like he got 2 points?" Nakamura tried hard remembering, completely unable to find any highlight performances from Takasago.
"As a center, he barely has any rebounds this game, right?"
"I was wondering why Kainan's center seems to have so little presence."
"Remember to properly memorize the materials I sent you when you get back!" Aida said irritably. "Though unassuming, he's also one of Kanagawa's four great centers!"
"Huh?" Nakamura grew more confused.
"Could it be the title came from Kainan being strong?" He muttered quietly.
"I won't deny such factors might exist, but seriously underestimating him because of this would be completely wrong." Aida said. "Returning to your initial question—the key to Miyamasu running open lies in Takasago's facilitating and movement ability."
"Ah?"
"This is Kainan's obvious tactic, yet Ryonan currently also has no solution." Aida pointed at the court.
"Though Takasago doesn't possess ability to isolate and score over Uozumi, inside he can serve as the team's hub."
"After Maki gives him the ball, Kainan's four outside points simultaneously pose threats requiring one-on-one defense."
"Using Maki's cut, he shifts to Ryonan's defensive weak side, screening Miyamasu's defender..."
"Senpai," Nakamura interrupted. "I can understand this point, but why doesn't Uozumi follow out?"
"If Uozumi follows out, Takasago can reverse-cut to the basket. Simultaneously, Ryonan still faces breakthrough threats from Maki and Kiyota." Aida raised her finger. "Once defense is forced to follow the ball's movement, exposed flaws grow increasingly larger."
"So compared to other offensive options, Ryonan can only hope Miyamasu misses while defending with full effort." Nakamura had a revelation.
Aida nodded. "Takasago's role in Kainan far exceeds what statistics can summarize. His solid positioning, high-quality screens, and stable facilitating ability all prove he's an indispensable cornerstone. He's an excellent blue-collar center."
"Clang!"
The basketball hit the rim bouncing high. Miyamasu's third three-pointer finally clanged off.
"Rebound!"
Nakamura noticed Takasago had already retreated under the basket, using his body to pin Uozumi's jumping path.
"Boom!"
Uozumi's position was held—could only jump reluctantly. From the other side, Fukuda also charged into the paint contesting the rebound.
"Smack!"
However, Maki with shocking explosiveness single-handedly secured the rebound between both players!
"What?!"
"Miyamasu!"
The instant Maki landed, he didn't hesitate, again whipping the ball to three-point line Miyamasu.
Completely open!
Miyamasu quickly adjusted his shot. But just as he released—
"Smack!"
"Huh?! How's he there?!"
Yagami, with height and wingspan advantages, delivered a clean rejection directly swatting the ball away!
"Yagami! Great block!!"
The basketball slammed the floor, bouncing toward out of bounds.
"Jin-senpai!" Kiyota dove from inbounds, catching the ball mid-air single-handed and whipping it toward the left three-point line.
Jin steadily caught the basketball.
Sendoh had already rotated before him, leaping high to block.
Jin didn't panic, calmly dribbling back one step, creating separation from Sendoh.
"What?"
"He's shooting from that position?!"
"Swoosh—!"
The basketball traced a beautiful arc, swishing cleanly through.
Jin hit a three-pointer!
Ryonan 62 - Kainan 57
Jin's fourth three-pointer!
Even limited by Yagami for half a quarter, his touch remained scorching hot!
Kainan retreated quickly. Consecutive three-pointers boosted their morale significantly.
Yagami pushed the ball forward.
Takasago again defended Uozumi at matchup position. Sure enough, last possession having Miyamasu defend Uozumi had comedic elements?
Open Ikegami caught Yagami's pass and shot decisively.
"Clang!"
"Rebound!"
Uozumi and Takasago simultaneously jumped contesting the rebound. With obvious height advantage, Uozumi steadily secured the ball mid-air!
"Uozumi, watch out!"
The landing instant, Kiyota pressed close to Uozumi's front, reaching quickly for the ball.
Uozumi reacted fiercely, immediately turning sideways protecting the ball, forcefully pulling it back.
"Bang!"
Miyamasu somehow stood in Uozumi's rear blind spot—a heavy elbow solidly connected with his chest.
"TWEET—!"
"Ryonan number 4, foul!"
"Miyamasu!"
Miyamasu fell backwards. Kainan players instantly surrounded him.
Though Uozumi didn't know why his opponent stood at that position, he knew how heavy his elbow was.
Especially with his six-foot-six frame against five-foot-three Miyamasu.
"Sorry, you alright?" Uozumi's voice rumbled.
"No problem. This minor thing doesn't count." Miyamasu pulled on Maki's arm to stand, dusting himself off. "This way, possession belongs to Kainan!"
Kainan's offense.
Actually, Uozumi's foul control this game had been quite good. Even counting just now elbowing Miyamasu, he currently only had two fouls.
However, being overly conscious of his foul count instead made his movements unnatural.
This subtle change was immediately caught by experienced Takasago. He posted up Uozumi in the low block, decisively calling for the ball.
Uozumi's movements were stiff—only raising both hands high, his body not daring to fully exert confrontational force.
Takasago didn't miss this opportunity, steadily leaning on Uozumi to easily complete a side floater.
Two points banked in.
Ryonan 62 - Kainan 59
The gap was only 3 points!
"Hoo..."
A long breath reached his ears. Jin keenly turned back, discovering beside him Yagami's posture seemed different from before.
"Worthy of Kainan," Yagami's tone was calm yet vaguely excited. "Looks like easy victory truly has some difficulty."
"What do you mean?" Jin asked heavily, his body unconsciously tensing.
The "reasonableness" in Yagami's eyes seemed to slowly shatter. His entire person carried sharp edges, his presence suddenly intensifying.
"What I mean is—"
Yagami's mouth curved into a smile, gaze focusing intently on the rim, voice filled with eager anticipation.
"The game becoming like this—now it's truly getting interesting."