Black Basketball: A false start

Chapter 183 Tips

As the first quarter ended, the score was 39:33.

The entire first quarter was like an All-Star Three-Point Contest, with both teams raining three-pointers.

Although Shutoku High School temporarily managed to keep the score close with the elevator door tactics on the offensive end and the occasional pass from Midorima Shintaro, everyone present could see that if they continued to play at this pace, it would only be a matter of time before Shutoku High School lost.

"We played well in the first quarter." Nakatani Hitoshi said in front of everyone, "Whether it was Midorima's pass or Tsuchiya's shot, we must find the key point to break the game in the second quarter."

"Coach, what do you mean?" Midorima Shintaro looked at Nakatani Jinsuke thoughtfully.

"Yeah, that's what I mean." Nakatani Jinliang looked at the substitutes' bench of Shonan High School with some envy, "We are pretty lucky. Except for Kaneki Ken, the ones in Shonan High School who have enough experience don't have enough talent; and the ones who have enough talent don't have enough experience yet... This may be our only chance to break through..."

……

"If Midorima Shintaro can't stand out and deal enough damage, he won't be able to compete with Kaneki Ken just by relying on this kind of clever cooperation." Imayoshi Shoichi said firmly, "After all, this game is a civil war of miracles. The moon can reflect the sun's light, but it can't replace the sun..."

"Their plan has already begun, hasn't it?" Hanamiya Zhen's eyes revealed a hint of pride, "The most threatening time for the triple threat is when the ball is neither passed nor shot..."

"What do you mean?" Jin Jixiang's pupils shrank slightly, as if he understood what Hanamiya Zhen meant.

"Yes, that's what I mean." Hanamiya's expression gradually became a little ferocious, "There are actually people who dare to resist Kaneki Ken. I really look forward to seeing them being crushed after using all their strength~"

"I knew you were a pervert, but I didn't expect you to be this perverted..." Konji Shoichi looked at Hanamiya Makoto speechlessly, "You've been beaten for three years... but you still tremble like this when you mention Kaneki Ken..."

……

"Buzz~"

As the timer buzzed, the intermission ended and the players from both teams returned to the court, with Xiude having possession of the ball.

"Xiao Zhen!" After Takao Kazunari brought the ball across half court, he immediately handed it to Midorima Shintaro. Seeing this, Kaneki Ken also came up immediately.

"It appears! This is the first direct confrontation between miracles in this game!" Heihachi Tashiro shouted excitedly on the sidelines. "In the first quarter, the core players of both teams focused on organizing the offense. Now Midorima Shintaro chooses to directly face off against Kaneki Ken. Has he found a way to deal with Kaneki Ken?"

"Midorima Shintaro actually dared to challenge Kaneki Ken one-on-one?" Mibuchi Reo looked at the situation on the field with curiosity, "Didn't the strategy in the first quarter work well?"

"Shintaro can certainly be used as a mobile turret to attract defense, but that would be a waste of his talent." Akashi Seijuro explained, "In the first quarter, Shutoku High School actually did two things. The first was to prove that the double pick-and-roll can indeed help Midorima Shintaro get rid of Kaneki Ken's defense..."

As Akashi Seijuro was speaking, Ootsubo Taisuke and Kishimoto Misaki came up from the baseline and trapped Kaneki Ken in the middle. Midorima Shintaro took the opportunity to break through Kaneki Ken's defense.

"Don't even think about breaking through my defense this time, you guy with glasses and green algae hair!" As if it was a replica of the first quarter, Sakuragi Hanamichi came up to defend again.

"But getting rid of Kaneki Ken's defense may not be of any use, Xiao Zheng..." Mibuchi Reo said hesitantly while looking at the field, "That red-haired No. 10 is not someone who can be easily dealt with..."

"This is the second thing Shutoku High School did: telling the players of Shonan High School that when the ball is in Shintaro's hands, shooting is not the only threat." Akashi Seijuro continued, "Although this is common sense for us, for Sakuragi Hanamichi, although he is talented, his experience is not enough for him to distinguish Shintaro's choice..."

"You little monkey, you're so rude..." Midorima Shintaro looked at Sakuragi Hanamichi with a hint of displeasure, and gently knocked the ball to the ground with his left hand. The basketball spun and flew towards Tsuchiya Jun.

"Is this... a pass?" Sakuragi Hanamichi was looking at the direction of the ball and was about to defend Tsuchiya Jun, when suddenly, a long arm pulled the ball back.

"This is Sam Gold!" As a breakthrough expert, Hayama Kotaro easily identified Midorima Shintaro's movements, "I didn't expect that a shooter like Midorima Shintaro could perform breakthrough moves so well!" "Shintaro usually doesn't break through because there's no need." Akashi Seijuro said with a smile on his face, "But his basic control skills can be considered solid among the Generation of Miracles!"

"Damn it! The guy with glasses and green algae hair!" Sakuragi Hanamichi, who was shaken off, gritted his teeth and rushed back to try to stop Midorima Shintaro who was about to shoot, but he didn't expect that this was another fake move of praying to Buddha.

"Seeing a simple-minded jumping expert like you always reminds me of an old friend." At this time, there was no one in front of him, and Midorima Shintaro calmly threw the ball out, "It's a pity that he lost to me."

"Shh!"

As Midorima Shintaro finished his words, the basketball drew a high arc and went into the net.

"Oh my god! Midorima-san just scored a very difficult goal!" Tashiro Heihachi kept recalling Midorima Shintaro's actions just now. "First, he used the elevator door pick-and-roll to avoid Kaneki-san's pursuit, and then used two consecutive fake moves in the crowd to shake off Sakuragi-san and then made a three-pointer... He is worthy of being the strongest shooter of the Generation of Miracles! He dared to use such a thrilling fake move in that kind of crowd! Now the score has been chased to three points. As long as one more goal is scored, both sides will be back to the same starting line!"

"This guy has a heart made of iron!" Hinata Junpei watched the wonderful replays of the game, and his imagination was full of his own playing style. "Isn't he afraid of Kaneki Ken chasing him?"

"Well done, Xiao Zhen!" Takao Kazunari excitedly caught up with Midorima Shintaro who was returning to his room and said, "Just now I thought you were almost going to be killed again!"

"How can you talk like that? We must have absolute confidence in our ace, understand?" Tsuchiya Junjiya came to the two of them, patted Midorima Shintaro on the shoulder, and said, "Well done, you are worthy of being the ace of Shutoku High School!"

"Yo, you fought well, didn't you?" Ootsubo Taisuke excitedly patted Midorima Shintaro on the back and said, "Keep fighting like this, and lead us to defeat Kaneki Ken!"

"Yes... Captain Ootsubo... Tsuchiya-senpai." The naturally aloof Midorima Shintaro revealed a barely perceptible smile and his movements became a little faster.

"Hey, you just smiled, Xiaozhen!" Gaoweihe shouted as if he had discovered a new world, "I told you to smile more. What's the point of having a blank face all day long?"

"Stop talking nonsense! I'm not!" Midorima Shintaro instantly put away the smile on his face and said with a deliberately stern face.

“Oh, I know, I know, you’re just a tsundere~” Takao Kazunari said sarcastically, “Just pretend that I can’t see your red ears~”

"I didn't expect that among us, Midorima was the first to be activated..." Aomine Daiki, who was sitting in the corner with Kise Ryouta, exclaimed, "Using the elevator door to get Kaneki Ken out of the game, and then using the threat of passing the ball to tease the inexperienced Sakuragi Hanamichi... This strategy activated the other players of Shutoku High School to the greatest extent, allowing them to cooperate with Midorima to play the greatest output..."

"Ah, it seems that I am still the worst..." Kise Ryota said a little depressed, "It was obviously me who used it first... whether it was the elevator door or the double pick-and-roll..."

"Okay, stop wasting time." Aomine Daiki waved his hand in disdain, "Just keep reading. Kaneki isn't the type to just accept a loss somewhere."

"Sakuragi."

As Aomine Daiki said, Kaneki Ken didn't rush to serve the ball, but stared at Sakuragi Hanamichi and said, "I don't remember that the three-threat move was not included in the basic basketball I taught you."

"Golden Gilgamesh..." Sakuragi Hanamichi, who was always smiling, looked at Kaneki Ken's serious expression and felt a little scared, "I...I..."

"Have I ever told you that the trick to defending a big pitcher is to squeeze his shooting space and not be easily targeted?" Kaneki Ken continued to ask in a deep voice.

"...Yes." Sakuragi Hanamichi lowered his head, not daring to look into Kaneki Ken's eyes, and whispered.

"Very good." Kaneki Ken suddenly smiled, "Then just follow what I taught you, okay? I believe you can defend against that green algae-headed guy, right?"

"Yes! Gilgamesh!" Sakuragi Hanamichi looked at Kaneki Ken's smile in disbelief, as if he had been pardoned. He quickly patted his chest and assured, "Leave it to me, Gilgamesh! I know what to do!"

(End of this chapter)