Chapter 19

Akashi, however, was more perceptive.

And Tendo and Murasakibara had both shown extraordinary defensive abilities during the club entrance assessment.

Murasakibara could guard the paint, and Tendo Keiyan could lock down the opponent's key player.

Hakigane Kōzō's meaning was very clear: he wanted to start from defense, steady and solid, which was very much in line with the philosophy of this generation of basketball players.

"Just watch carefully from the sidelines for now; there will be time for you to play," Nijimura Shūzō comforted the few first-year brats.

After saying that, he went back to warming up.

"First-years?"

The match started, and players from both sides came to the center circle. The people from Kawasaki Academy Affiliated were very surprised to see two freshmen in the Teiko lineup.

"Could it be that Teiko has already given up this year?"

Every year after the Inter-High Tournament ends, the strength of most teams fluctuates.

Especially for teams that rely on third-years as their main force, as players graduate, their strength drops off a cliff.

They might be able to make it to the top 16, top 8, top 4, or even the finals this year, but by the next year, the team might not even exist.

Because all of Kawasaki's core players last year were second-years, and they were all retained.

This year was Kawasaki Academy Affiliated's peak.

"Given up?"

"The word 'give up' doesn't exist in Teiko's dictionary."

"As for you guys, underestimating them will make you suffer. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Just these two losers?

The Kawasaki captain looked disdainful.

That first-year center, although tall, looked stupid and cute from his expression. When the game starts later, he probably won't even know where the basket is.

The other one was even more ridiculous, wearing sunglasses at a time like this; he was clearly just here to make up the numbers.

The Kawasaki people couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Their appearance was just like the Shanxi Tofu team in Shaolin Soccer, laughing crazily at the Shaolin Soccer team before the match even started.

"Tendo, you idiot, wasn't it forbidden for you to come to the basketball club wearing sunglasses!!!"

"Hmm?" Tendo Keiyan touched his face and realized he hadn't taken his glasses off yet. "Oh, forgot, sorry!"

"Hahahaha~~~"

Tofu... no, the people from Kawasaki Academy Affiliated finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

'Still laughing, you'll be crying later.'

'Did you remember?'

'Remember what?'

'The Shanxi Tofu team from Shaolin Soccer, they were also mocking Stephen Chow and his team like that at the beginning.'

'Hahahaha, I thought of it long ago. The moment that guy opened his mouth, I had the image in my head.'

'Dare to mock the kitty, wait for death!'

"Who is the kitty? Me?"

Tendo Keiyan looked at the comments, shook his head, took off his sunglasses, put them away, and stepped back onto the court.

He also conveniently turned off all the comments.

For his first match, he had to give it his all and take the victory.

In his life, he needed victory so damn much!

The match began.

This match followed international rules.

The full match was 40 minutes, with 10-minute quarters, for a total of 4 quarters.

Serving as the temporary referee was a member of Teiko's Second String.

It wouldn't go so far as to say Teiko was playing 6 against 5, but at least there wouldn't be a 5 against 6 situation.

With a whistle, the basketball was tossed high into the air.

The Kawasaki Academy Affiliated center was already prepared to teach the rookie a lesson.

He was one of the best centers in Kanagawa, known as one of the "Four Great Centers of Kanagawa," and his idol was David Robinson, who was famous for his athletic ability.

Although Kawasaki Academy Affiliated didn't make it to the final Inter-High Tournament last year, his performance in the prefectural tournament was nothing short of outstanding.

Averaging a double-double of 13+10, he looked down on everyone. Dealing with a first-year rookie was a piece of cake!

"Listen up, rookie, basketball isn't a sport about who is taller!"

*Slap.*

The Kawasaki center heroically swatted the ball...

Huh?

Where's the ball?

He suddenly froze, discovering that the basketball in his sight had vanished.

Turning his head, he saw clearly that the basketball had already been swatted by Murasakibara Atsushi to his teammate.

The "Four Great Centers of Kanagawa" had lost to a rookie in their first encounter.

Murasakibara looked at his opponent in confusion; he hadn't heard clearly what the other guy said just now.

"What's wrong?"

"..........You just wait!"

Damn rookie!

Teiko took possession of the ball and the whole team immediately pressed up, preparing for their first attack.

It was the most popular set-play mode of this era.

Nijimura Shūzō personally spearheaded the team's first attack of the new season.

He caught a pass from a teammate and immediately accelerated to drive inside.

Nijimura Shūzō's brilliance lay in the fact that, despite being a power forward, he had agility completely inconsistent with the number 4 position.

With a long stride after a change of direction, he shook off his defender and charged into the enemy paint.

The Kawasaki people were prepared; in their eyes, Teiko's biggest threat was Nijimura Shūzō.

In an instant, Nijimura Shūzō saw two Kawasaki players charging at him from left and right, and the player he had just passed was also turning to chase, forming a triangular trap.

Nijimura Shūzō wasn't afraid at all; if anything, everything was according to Hakigane Kōzō's plan.

Nijimura Shūzō had vision, passing ability, and driving ability. With such an all-around forward as the core of the team, what else would they play if not drive-and-kick?

Teiko's signature tactic last season was this kind of drive-and-kick.

So, the moment Nijimura Shūzō started, Teiko's other four players also began to run, looking for open spots.

Kawasaki sent 3 people to double-team, allowing Nijimura Shūzō to pass the ball out smoothly, so there were bound to be gaps in their defense.

3:0!

Teiko drew first blood.

"Still as clean and efficient as ever, Teiko."

With a bad start, the Kawasaki people remained unmoved.

They were the ones who requested the practice match with Teiko, so of course, they weren't ignorant about Teiko.

"Follow the game plan, no need to rush."

"Yes!"

The people from Kawasaki Academy Affiliated nodded one after another, full of fighting spirit.

This year was Kawasaki Academy Affiliated's most promising year, and also their last chance.

Therefore, they attached special importance to the Inter-High Tournament this year.

Some guys were even too lazy to deal with their girlfriends, focusing all their energy on playing basketball.