SWISH!
From beyond the three-point line, Akashi Asuka shot again, and scored.
6:3.
This time, Midorima Shintarou reacted in time and tried to intercept from the three-point line, but no matter his height or jumping ability, he couldn't even reach Akashi's release point.
============
Host Player: Akashi Asuka
Height: 207.7 cm
Weight: 118.6 kg
Finishing: Layup 75, Dunk 80, Under-the-Basket Finishing 85
Shooting: Close 80, Mid-range 75, Three-Point 86
Ball Control: Passing 84, Dribbling 83
Defense: Lateral Quickness 85, Steal 71, Block 89, Rebound 87
Physique: Speed 85, Strength 90, Jump 84, Stamina 86
Reaction: Reflexes 85, Agility 85
============
With nearly 208 cm in height, an 84-point Jump, and an 86-point Three-Point, Akashi now possessed an incredibly high release point, along with astonishing accuracy and consistency.
Open three-point shots? 96 out of 100.
This was the evolution brought by raising his three-point shooting to 86 points.
It still didn't reach Midorima's full-court perfection, but Akashi's three-point stability was slightly better, he didn't even need to maintain a rigid shooting form.
After releasing a three…
Akashi immediately turned to defend.
Against most teams, this would be fine. Quick transitions to defense are always safer.
But against Shutoku, something about it felt off.
"Strange… doesn't Seiho know Midorima can shoot full-court threes?"
"No way they don't know. Seiho's scouting is top-notch, even Kiriou's former Generation-of-Miracles analyst wouldn't compete. And even if they didn't know before, Midorima just shot one, how could they still leave him unchecked?"
"Then it must be… Seiho's just not planning to defend?"
·····
As expected.
Seiho's players had just returned to their side when a basketball fell from above, like a comet streaking through Seiho's hoop.
SWISH!
6:6.
Seiho's team didn't seem surprised at all, casually retrieving the ball and starting a new offensive play.
Again, it was a pass-based offense. Kasuga Ryuhei dribbled past midcourt; Takao Kazunari moved up to defend, but Kasuga had no intention to break through, he launched a long, straight pass directly to Tsugawa Tomoki.
"Hey hey~ Senpai, aren't you going to guide the rookie at all?" Takao spread his hands, a little exasperated.
"Hehe, first-years, the main character today isn't us. Just sit back and enjoy the show!" Kasuga smiled, ignoring the provocation entirely.
Tsugawa, matched against Miyaji Kiyoshi, didn't attempt a breakthrough either. Before Miyaji could get close, he made a bouncing pass to Omuro Yoshikasu.
Finally, Omuro sent a high pass to Akashi Asuka beyond the three-point line.
Midorima immediately closed in, applying tight coverage.
"Although I don't know what scheme you're up to, I can tell you this: if you think you can win with three-pointers, that's impossible. My three-pointers never miss."
"Huh? What nonsense are you talking? You think I'd do something stupid like attack your strength with my weakness? Don't overthink it, we're just trying to save energy right now."
With that, Akashi suddenly stepped back and prepared to shoot a three.
Midorima's eyes flared with an unprecedented light: "You won't succeed, Akashi!"
From the last round of defense, Midorima knew he couldn't match Akashi in height, he wasn't Kagami, who could jump higher with each play.
That he could accept.
But failing in height didn't mean there was no other way.
As long as he could prevent Akashi from releasing the shot, no shooter, no matter how skilled, could score.
Midorima's strategy was sound, and he had the skill. Shooters understood shooters' weaknesses better than anyone.
But he overlooked one thing…
SWISH!
Midorima intended to shrink Akashi's space to find a steal opportunity, but before he even took his first step, Akashi completed preparation, aim, release, and shot in an instant.
When the ball kissed the net, Midorima's eyes behind his lenses widened to their limit.
Three points.
9:6.
·····
So fast… no, more accurately, so fluid.
This shot didn't just stun Midorima; even the Generation-of-Miracles spectators outside the court were left gaping.
Yosen's players almost instinctively glanced at Himuro Tatsuya, because the fluidity of Akashi's shot mirrored Himuro's own three-point form perfectly.
It wasn't a special trick.
It was simply the result of honing basic skills to perfection, producing a seamless, almost dance-like execution.
"Is he… one of your senior students, Himuro?" Okamura Kenichi asked in surprise.
"No. To my knowledge, Alexandra only trained Daiki and me," Himuro replied, equally surprised.
"But now I understand why even Atsushi and the others couldn't beat Seiho. With this height, physique, and such fluid, beautiful three-point shooting, even Yosen's defense can't cope."
Himuro stroked his chin thoughtfully.
The Yosen team darkened at this remark, but Atsushi Murasakibara, munching chips, said, "You're wrong! That guy in summer could shoot threes, but he didn't have this technique."
"Huh? Then how did he beat Yosen?"
Murasakibara: …
"The last Seiho monster overpowered our interior straight on, even Atsushi was beaten. That's why we lost that match without complaints."
As Yosen's team fell silent, Coach Araki Masako slowly approached, her expression grave:
"We intended to avenge ourselves in this Winter Cup, but it seems this monster has evolved far faster than we imagined."