Chapter 16: Shohoku Vs Sannoh
Time passed with every second.
The match between Kainan and Mamiya Nishi was gradually coming to an end.
Kainan was leading by a large margin, and there was no doubt about their victory.
At the same time, in the Shohoku dressing room, the atmosphere was so tense that it made everyone's backs chill. A sense of solemnity and uneasiness hung in the air like a thick black fog, impossible to dispel.
Hisashi Mitsui was restless and would run out every once in a while, but no one knew where he was going. Based on the last battle with Kainan, he was probably going to relieve himself. After all, if he needed to during the Kainan match, there's no reason not to when facing Sannoh.
Ryota Miyagi was running back and forth in the passage outside the door, left and right. Even Hanamichi Sakuragi took a basketball and found a quiet place to dribble it non-stop. Everyone's behavior was very different from usual.
The quiet and somewhat depressing atmosphere was like the false calm before the storm on the eve of a war. The substitutes from grades one and two were hiding in the corner in silence, not even daring to breathe, and could only observe everyone quietly and secretly.
Ayako was almost driven crazy by the atmosphere in the room. She wanted to say something but didn't know what to say for a moment.
In the entire locker room, Jack Carter was probably the only one who looked indifferent.
Meanwhile, in the Sannoh dressing room, Coach Goro Domoto was preparing his players for the game. On the opposite side, Sannoh's players sat in neat rows, listening carefully to the coach's instructions.
At first glance, everyone in Sannoh looked very similar. Apart from their height, weight, and body shape, most of them had buzz cuts. Counting from left to right, they were:
- Point guard, Kazunari Fukatsu, height 180 cm, weight 75 kg, jersey number 4, 3rd grade (Captain).
- Shooting guard, Minoru Matsumoto, height 185 cm, weight 72 kg, jersey number 6, 3rd grade.
- Center, Masashi Kawata, height 194 cm, weight 94 kg, jersey number 7, 3rd grade.
- Small forward, Eiji Sawakita, height 186 cm, weight 75 kg, jersey number 9, 2nd grade.
- Center, Mikio Kawata, height 210 cm, weight 130 kg, jersey number 15, 1st grade.
- Power forward, Masahiro Nobe, height 198 cm, weight 83 kg, jersey number 5, 3rd grade.
- Shooting guard, Satoshi Ichinokura, height 171 cm, weight 62 kg, jersey number 8, 3rd grade.
This was the entire staff of Sannoh at this time.
Everyone in Sannoh listened attentively to Coach Goro Domoto's instructions while secretly adjusting their own state, striving to be in the best physical and mental condition before the game began.
In stark contrast to the tense and solemn atmosphere at Shohoku, Sannoh's locker room was filled with a confidence and unwavering commitment to victory. There was no disdain for Shohoku in their eyes. Instead, everyone was focused on the importance of the upcoming game.
Coach Domoto Goro looked serious, his eyes sweeping calmly across the crowd, and said solemnly: "I will remind you one last time, Shohoku is very strong. Don't be careless, don't think about reserving your strength, use all your strength to defeat them."
"Yes..." Everyone in Sannoh responded in unison, their voices loud and full of fighting spirit.
Domoto Goro paused for a moment, then focused his attention on Eiji Sawakita and reminded him seriously: "Sawakita, your task today is the most difficult. I have watched all of Shohoku's game videos, and I have to say that Shohoku No. 9's talent is stronger than yours, and I am definitely not exaggerating."
As soon as these words were spoken, the hearts of the other people in Sannoh were shocked. Even more talented than Eiji Sawakita? What a terrifying talent that is. You know, Eiji Sawakita's talent is already at the top level nationwide. If the national level is strong, it will be world-class.
In fact, their idea is not wrong. Jack Carter's talent is a fusion of Aomine Daiki's template. He is one of the top players in the world of Kuroko. What's more, this is also a world of slam dunks.
Eiji Sawakita had deep eyes and a serious expression, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, with an excited smile on his face. He was filled with a fiery fighting spirit. He said firmly, "Isn't this just right? I can't wait to fight him. I will do my best to defeat him."
Domoto Goro nodded with satisfaction, and then added: "In addition to Jack Carter, Kaede Rukawa of Shohoku also needs attention. Although his strength is not as good as Jack Carter, he is also a tough opponent."
"Yes..." Sannoh players responded in unison.
After explaining everything that needed to be said, Domoto Goro had nothing else to say, so he said, "Okay, it's almost time, let's go!"
On the Shohoku side, Coach Mitsuyoshi Anzai also did not slack off. He explained in detail the key points to pay attention to when playing against Sannoh, and then cheered the players on. After doing this, there was nothing else.
The players stood up one after another and walked towards the stadium with firm steps.
At this moment in the arena, there were only 3 minutes left before the end of the match between Kainan and Mamiya Nishi.
The Shohoku and Sannoh teams filed out of the player tunnel one after another.
At the same time, the referee's crisp whistle sounded, announcing the official end of the Kainan vs. Mamiya Nishi match.
Shohoku and Sannoh stared at each other from a distance. There was neither a powerful confrontation like lightning and thunder, nor a tense atmosphere like a howling wind. Both sides seemed to have deliberately restrained their auras, and everything was eerily calm.
Takenori Akagi was the first to look away and said calmly, "Let's go!"
As soon as the words fell, the Shohoku team marched in unison towards the center of the court.
On the Sannoh side, Kazunari Fukatsu also gave an order. "Let's go up too!"
As if they had agreed beforehand, the two teams walked onto the court at the same time and began their respective warm-up activities.
"Shohoku...Shohoku...Shohoku..."
"Sannoh...Sannoh...Sannoh..."
In an instant, two completely different shouts rang out in the venue. Although the voices cheering for Shohoku were not dominant in terms of numbers, they were not completely drowned out by the cheers for Sannoh.
At this time, the auditorium was already full, and even the area reserved for reporters was crowded with people, and some people were unable to get a seat.
Yayoi Aida and assistant Taizo Nakamura were waiting here early. Yayoi Aida raised her camera and kept pressing the shutter while watching the Shohoku and Sannoh players warming up. Today's game is of great significance and can be regarded as the pinnacle showdown of the year.
During the warm-up, both teams remained calm on the surface.
But I don't know since when, a secret contest has quietly begun.
Hanamichi Sakuragi took the lead. He picked up the basketball, rushed to the basket like a predatory beast, jumped high, and then slammed the ball into the basket with a thunderous slam dunk. After the slam dunk, he turned around and challenged the Sannoh players: "Don't be nervous, I'm just saying hello."
Sannoh was not to be outdone. Masashi Kawata threw the ball directly to the basket and said, "Sawakita, you go say hello too!"
Upon hearing this, Eiji Sawakita's figure flashed like a ghost, turned into a shadow, and chased after the basketball. In the blink of an eye, he caught up with the basketball, reached out and controlled it steadily, then rushed into the basket like a cannonball, jumped high, and slammed the ball towards the basket with all his strength.
Bang...
Bang...
The huge noise instantly spread throughout the venue.
However, a basketball came flying out of nowhere and hit Eiji Sawakita's hand holding the ball. The basketball was affected, deviated from its direction, and hit the backboard heavily.
This sudden change left everyone stunned. Everyone turned their eyes to Hanamichi Sakuragi, who was standing there with an innocent look on his face. It was this guy who threw the basketball in his hand at the critical moment when Eiji Sawakita was shooting. This guy did it on purpose.
Everyone in Sannoh had a gloomy face at this moment. If it weren't for the competition, they would have probably already gone up to tie up Hanamichi Sakuragi and started whipping him.
After Eiji Sawakita landed, he grimaced in pain, swung his right hand vigorously, and cursed in his heart: "It hurts so much, that damn guy."
Shohoku's substitute players were so frightened that they dared not even breathe. But Takenori Akagi and others secretly applauded in their hearts, thinking that Hanamichi Sakuragi did a great job.
Time passed by, and soon, the much-anticipated match between Shohoku and Sannoh was about to begin. The starting players of both teams came to the midfield, ready to wait for the referee to announce the start of the game.
**Shohoku starting lineup:**
- Center, Takenori Akagi, No. 4, 3rd grade (Captain).
- Point guard, Ryota Miyagi, No. 7, 2nd grade.
- Shooting guard, Hisashi Mitsui, No. 14, 3rd grade.
- Small forward, Kaede Rukawa, No. 11, 1st grade.
- Power forward, Jack Carter, No. 9, 1st grade.
**Sannoh starting lineup:**
- Center, Masashi Kawata, No. 7, 3rd grade.
- Point guard, Kazunari Fukatsu, No. 4, 3rd grade (Captain).
- Shooting guard, Satoshi Ichinokura, No. 8, 3rd grade.
- Small forward, Eiji Sawakita, No. 9, 2nd grade.
- Power forward, Masahiro Nobe, No. 5, 3rd grade.
Beep...
At this moment, the referee's loud whistle pierced the sky, and the basketball in his hand was thrown high into the air above the center of the two teams.
The match between Shohoku High School and Sannoh High officially begins.
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