Before long, the second half of the game began.
During the timeout, the Blue Team discussed how to guard against Yuuto, the pressure monster.
His current feeling gave people a particularly strange vibe.
Clearly looking very ordinary, it seemed that if they just worked a little harder and did a little better, they could guard him.
But after they tried hard, the result remained unchanged in the end.
This was frustrating.
"That guy Yuuto has also become unreasonable."
Ota said with a smile while hydrating.
"Yeah, but Captain, we are currently trailing by 9 points. Trailing 9 points behind the substitutes led by Yuuto. How can you still smile?" Someone beside him complained. "You know Yuuto's personality. If we lose, we will definitely be mocked by him until we have no place to hide."
"Was I smiling?" Ota touched the corner of his mouth and shook his head. "If I laughed, then let it be. After all, Yuuto is our teammate. This monster is ours."
Hearing this, the people around felt their internal pressure inexplicably relax.
Yeah, Yuuto is their teammate after all.
At most, they just get abused by Yuuto in practice matches.
But the other teams in Tochigi Prefecture are going to be abused by Yuuto in actual games.
Thinking of this, everyone couldn't help but laugh too.
"Maybe this year we can continue to surpass ourselves."
The Homi Academy team had no glorious deeds in their "ancestry."
Last year was the first time they made it to the main National Tournament since the school was founded.
This current Homi team is the strongest Homi in history. If Homi basketball club ranks history in the future, they will definitely be on the list.
"Yeah, if we have a little better luck, maybe we can even make the Top 16."
For a small place like Tochigi Prefecture, the National Top 16 is already a remarkable achievement.
Small population, low probability of producing talent.
Plus, the regional competition isn't fierce enough; few talents come out of Tochigi Prefecture.
The game continued.
Yuuto opened full fire. If the opponent defended him to death, he passed. Every time, he could find the open Sakurai Ryō. The latter fired successively, with speed so fast it made people fearful.
If the defensive intensity relaxed, then Yuuto would drive inside or shoot outside to score himself.
Most were scoring near the paint.
Long-range shooting depends heavily on touch (feeling). If you don't have a pair of soft wrists, it's hard to become a great shooter.
Yuuto's ball sense is average. His hands are relatively stiff. When shooting, he doesn't control the force well, often overshooting or undershooting.
But even so.
When the full game ended, he still put up luxurious stats of 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists.
This was a 20-minute practice match. If he played the full 40 minutes, his stats would definitely aim for a triple-double again.
The geezer coach was simply overjoyed.
If those few second-years from Teiko are monsters, then the current Yuuto can somewhat count as a little monster.
"Coach..."
"I know what you're thinking."
The geezer coach was in a very good mood.
"If luck is a bit better this year and we don't meet Teiko too early, we have a chance to break history."
As long as Yuuto isn't a flash in the pan and continues to maintain this standard, plus Ota, one of the Four Great Centers of Tochigi Prefecture.
Hmm, have to count that soft egg Sakurai Ryō too.
Besides Teiko, Homi Academy might be able to contend with anyone.
Moreover.
Sakurai Ryō, whom Yuuto personally named, performed beyond his expectations in this game.
In the 20-minute game, Sakurai Ryō shot 4 for 6, all three-pointers.
A 60% shooting rate can absolutely kill people.
"I knew from the beginning he had such ability, but to bring out Ryō's ability, Yuuto needs to control the ball possession." The geezer coach would not admit he had misjudged.
The reason Sakurai Ryō couldn't be reused by him was purely because Homi Academy didn't have an outstanding "driver" before.
Now that Yuuto is back, under his command, Sakurai Ryō has been activated.
And himself.
A super head coach with unique vision will certainly not let this pearl be covered in dust.
"Our tactics need to change. We need to give the ball to Yuuto and let him organize the offense."
"We also need to prevent opponents from targeting him. We can do this: let Ota leave the paint and pull to the perimeter to screen for Yuuto. He's big, the screen quality is solid."
"Since we need screens, we can also add pick-and-roll cut plays. Ota's mid-range shooting is barely enough to use. Ryō will ambush at the three-point line to provide a threat, creating driving space for Yuuto..."
In just a short practice match, the geezer coach decided to change the team tactics.
Previously, the scoring burden of Homi Academy was on Ota, even when Yuuto hadn't left last year.
But now.
Yuuto's personal ability is obviously higher than anyone on the team. Giving the ball to the coolest (best) person to handle, this is the best tactic.
The coach quickly gathered the whole team, took out the tactical board to draw lines on it, and then immediately had the players practice.
Yuuto just glanced at the tactical board and knew his coach "understood ball."
What damn Triangle Offense, Pick-and-Roll Offense, Run and Gun, Inside-Out... these are all empty.
There is only one coolest tactic in basketball.
Just give the ball to the coolest person!
"I didn't expect there to be a second head coach in the world who understands ball like Coach Lue."
Yuuto was happy to see the team change.
After all, the ball is in his hands; he is the biggest beneficiary of the tactical change.
And this tactic is not complicated, mainly increasing the pick-and-roll cooperation between himself and Ota.
The positioning of other players relies entirely on their own performance.
Whether Yuuto can find people in time depends entirely on his ability.
But that makes sense.
They are a bunch of middle school students; they can't play complicated tactics, and players don't have such high tactical understanding.
Often, simple tactics are more effective.
.....
Club activities ended.
Sakurai Ryō was bitterly detained by Yuuto in the basketball club for extra three-point shooting practice.
Not much.
Just making 100 three-pointers is enough.
Sakurai Ryō was already tired from just finishing club activities. Hearing Yuuto's request, he almost cried out.
But he wasn't lonely, because there was someone to accompany him.
"Captain Ota, let's continue."
"Huh?"
Ota, who was just about to go out and go home with his girlfriend, was stunned.
Yuuto said matter-of-factly, "Our time is not sufficient. The core of the new tactic is us. Of course, we have to form enough tacit understanding before the National Tournament starts."
"This is your last year. Do you want to end your last National Tournament in middle school casually?"
"Do you plan to do nothing and waste time on other meaningless things?"
Yuuto spoke decisively, as if Ota agreeing would be a crime.
Ota was bewildered, and Ota's girlfriend, who had been waiting on the side for some time, was also stunned.
However, Yuuto hadn't finished speaking.
"Listen well, Ota. You are different from the others."
Ota asked somewhat expectantly, "How am I different?"
"Your studies are bad. Even if you study hard in high school, you may not necessarily get into a famous university. So even if you go out into society in the future, you can only become a completely inconspicuous corporate slave."
"Earning an average national salary, maybe not even reaching the average standard. After all, your grades are really bad. You are not a talent, but those big companies only need talents."
"The only thing you can do is play basketball well; this is your way out. You are one of the best centers in Tochigi Prefecture, which at least proves you have certain talent in basketball."
"As long as you work hard enough and shine in the National Tournament, maybe you will be fancied by other basketball powerhouses. Using this as a springboard, you might have the opportunity to become a professional player in the future."
"Although the possibility of you becoming a substitute player or even a benchwarmer with your ability is greater, it is still more passionate than living a day-after-day life without any color."