Chapter Eighty-Seven: Beyond Reason
"Can't let him run wild anymore. Must double-team!"
The court situation no longer allowed Coach Takato to remain passive. He decisively called timeout and rapidly adjusted defensively.
Timeout ended. Kainan's offense.
"Steady the rhythm. Take this possession!" At the top of the arc, Maki Shinichi controlled the ball. His composed voice slightly eased his teammates' anxiety.
Jin Soichiro and Muto Masaru crossed paths, pulling Shutoku's defensive attention.
In that instant's gap, Maki Shinichi accelerated straight into the paint. Otsubo Taisuke reacted swiftly, immediately leaping to help.
Maki Shinichi took flight without flinching!
"He's actively seeking contact?!!"
Maki collided with Otsubo Taisuke mid-air. Using powerful core strength, he stabilized his balance. As his body recoiled backward from the impact, his wrist steadily released the ball.
The basketball flew toward the rim.
"Ah!"
"TWEET!"
The whistle sounded almost simultaneously with the ball hitting net.
"Shutoku number 4, blocking foul! Basket counts, plus one free throw."
Maki walked to the free-throw line and steadily made the bonus.
Shutoku 61 - Kainan 53
"This guy's also a monster! Maintaining balance to complete the shot after a head-on collision with a center!" Tokyo spectators rarely saw such bulldozer-strong guards in local games.
Possession changed. Shutoku's offense.
Kainan's defensive strategy was crystal clear: abandon Kimura Shinsuke, concentrate firepower on blocking Midorima Shintaro! The instant Midorima crossed halfcourt, Jin Soichiro and Muto Masaru immediately formed a double-team, sticking to him tightly.
"Hm? When they limited Yagami before, they used the Jin and Kiyota combination, right?" Koshino Hiroaki noticed the detail. "This time they actually brought interior player Muto out to participate in the trap?"
"That's because targeting Midorima requires height as the primary consideration." Ikegami Ryoji explained. "This configuration both guarantees defensive height and lets Jin conserve some stamina defensively, since Kainan still needs his firepower on offense."
"Not only that." Sendoh Akira took over. "Shutoku's point guard is also very interesting—extremely agile speed and excellent vision. Kainan definitely doesn't dare leave him open."
On court, the open Kimura Shinsuke received Takao Kazunari's pass. Without hesitation, he jumped for a mid-range attempt.
"Kimura-senpai! Watch out!"
The instant Takao Kazunari passed, Kiyota Nobunaga predicted the play and charged straight at Kimura Shinsuke!
"CLANG!"
The sudden interference knocked Kimura Shinsuke's shot off trajectory. It clanged off the rim.
Under the basket, Takasago Kazuma didn't blindly jump to contest. Instead, he used his body to firmly lock down Otsubo Taisuke's position, boxing him out.
"PAP!"
His purpose was letting Maki, who'd charged into the paint, secure the rebound!
"Counter!"
"Get back on defense!!"
Kainan instantly launched fast break. Both teams' players surged like tides toward Shutoku's half.
Jin Soichiro received the ball. Muto Masaru arrived in time, using his body to firmly screen the pursuing Midorima Shintaro.
"Whew—"
Jin Soichiro took a deep breath and shot from the right 45-degree three-point line.
"Swish!"
Clean make!
Shutoku 61 - Kainan 56
"Jin! Jin!" Heated cheers came from Kainan's bench.
"Kainan also has a trustworthy sharpshooter!" Maki Shinichi's voice pierced the clamor, stabilizing morale.
Through this clean three-point counter, the gap was narrowed back to a controllable range. Hope's flame reignited in Kainan's players' eyes.
After Midorima Shintaro received double-team limitations, both teams' scoring rhythm stabilized.
However, because Kainan tilted massive defensive resources toward Midorima Shintaro, Shutoku formed a four-on-three numerical advantage locally. Their offense still developed more easily than Kainan's.
With just one minute remaining in the third quarter, the score stood at:
Shutoku 79 - Kainan 72
Kainan's possession.
Maki again drove forcefully inside, drawing the trap before a precise pass found the open Kiyota Nobunaga on the wing.
After catching, Kiyota Nobunaga took a mid-range jumper—unfortunately, the basketball bounced off!
The paint immediately descended into chaos. Otsubo Taisuke used his height advantage to tip it up. Miyaji Kiyoshi reacted quickly, fighting through the crowd to snatch the ball!
Shutoku immediately launched counter-attack!
Midorima Shintaro and Takao Kazunari ran the wings left and right.
Muto Masaru's transition defense couldn't keep pace. After brief hesitation, Kiyota Nobunaga chose to chase Takao Kazunari, who'd received the pass and was pushing quickly.
He believed Jin-senpai could definitely stop Midorima Shintaro on this possession!
The instant Midorima Shintaro crossed halfcourt, he received the pass. His speed didn't decrease at all—he charged straight toward Kainan's basket!
"He's planning to drive?!" Jin Soichiro's heart tightened. He explosively accelerated, cutting across to block Midorima Shintaro's driving lane.
Just as the two were about to make contact, Midorima Shintaro suddenly stopped hard. His body naturally pressed against Jin Soichiro before an agile spin instantly swept past the defense, cutting inside!
"This guy!"
Jin Soichiro's concentration peaked. His feet rapidly slid laterally, blocking the opponent's path again.
However, Midorima Shintaro seemed to have anticipated this. His wrist flicked to pull the ball back before an extremely large stepback instantly retreated beyond the three-point line!
Rose up, released!
"No way!!" Jin Soichiro exploded with unprecedented speed, leaping with full effort, his right arm extending desperately forward.
From the start, he'd determined Midorima Shintaro would definitely shoot the three!
"Hm?"
Midorima Shintaro's brow furrowed slightly as he adjusted his release angle mid-air.
"CLANG!"
The basketball hit the front rim, bounced upward, then dropped straight through the net.
Three-pointer good!
Shutoku 82 - Kainan 72
"Damn!"
Even Jin Soichiro struggled maintaining composure. Under such tight, desperate defense, the opponent still scored!
This sense of defeat could destroy any defender's confidence.
17 seconds remained.
"Don't worry about it!" Maki Shinichi's composed voice rang out again as he maintained rhythm pushing forward.
Kainan had sufficient offensive time. As long as they ran clock and converted this possession, the gap would shrink to single digits.
Right now, the most important thing was: stabilize mentally!
Kiyota Nobunaga cut inside from the right. Takao Kazunari understood this possession's importance and stuck tight, not giving him any receiving space.
Maki Shinichi drove from the arc. Miyaji Kiyoshi immediately bodied up, trying to delay his attacking speed.
"BANG!"
A concealed bounce pass—the basketball precisely reached Takasago Kazuma's hands.
Takasago Kazuma raised the ball as if to power through. Otsubo Taisuke immediately shifted one step, firmly blocking his attacking lane.
However, Takasago Kazuma was just faking. His wrist flicked, passing back out.
The ball-less Maki Shinichi accelerated into the paint, catching the pass steadily with both hands before taking flight!
Takasago Kazuma created space with perfect chemistry. And Otsubo Taisuke was currently anchoring the paint!
"What?!" Seeing Maki Shinichi charging at him, Otsubo Taisuke rapidly decided, "Don't think you can run wild under Shutoku's basket!"
Otsubo Taisuke roared, leaping with full force. His giant palm pressed down with wind, trying to pin both ball and man!
"BOOM!"
"BOOM!!"
Two powerful bodies collided violently mid-air. Using astonishing core strength and charging momentum, Maki Shinichi forcibly crashed through Otsubo Taisuke's defense, slamming the ball through with one hand!
"TWEET!" The sharp whistle sounded.
"Shutoku number 4, blocking foul! Basket counts, plus one free throw."
"Oh no! Otsubo-senpai already has three fouls!"
More than the free throw, Shutoku's interior pillar carrying three fouls and entering foul trouble worried Shutoku's players more!
Maki's expression stayed stable as he made the free throw.
Shutoku 82 - Kainan 75
The situation shifted subtly in a flash. If they lost their starting center in the final quarter, even holding a 7-point advantage, Shutoku's victory would be filled with suspense.
1.7 seconds remained.
"Swish!"
Midorima Shintaro received the baseline inbound in Shutoku's half.
"--?!"
"Hey? What's he doing?!"
The countdown began flowing. Midorima Shintaro's core tightened. Carrying upward jumping force, he powerfully shot the ball with both hands.
"TWEET!"
The game-ending whistle sounded after the basketball left his hands.
Time seemed frozen in this moment. Every spectator held their breath, eyes locked on that basketball flying across most of the court.
It was a terrifying arc higher and farther than any previous shot!
"No way... you're kidding, right?"
"Swish!"
A crisp net-snapping sound, like a water droplet falling on a calm lake surface, clearly reached everyone's ears.
Three-pointer good!!!
Shutoku 85 - Kainan 75
For an instant, the entire venue fell into eerie silence before erupting with noise capable of lifting the roof.
"It went in!"
"Unbelievable!!"
"Half-court three-pointer! Buzzer-beater!!"
"Midorima! Midorima!! Midorima!!!"
All of Kainan's bench fell into deathly silence. Players on court froze in place, faces filled with incredulous shock.
Midorima Shintaro used one shot beyond reason—an ultra-long buzzer-beating three—to deliver a crushing blow to Kainan's surging morale!
"Third quarter ends. Now begins the 2-minute rest period."
"Is this the 'Generation of Miracles'? Truly foul-level strength..." Ikegami Ryoji couldn't help clicking his tongue.
"I remember Shutoku isn't even Tokyo's champion, right?" Sendoh Akira lacked his usual relaxed feeling. "Without stopping this kind of guy, basically impossible to claim victory."
Yagami Sorato silently observed the court. Video footage and personal experience were ultimately different things. When that full-court three precisely hammered through the net, the impact far exceeded any recording.
Seirin could rely on Kagami Taiga's superhuman leaping ability for defense. How should Ryonan handle it?
Moreover, Shutoku also had Miyaji Kiyoshi and Takao Kazunari as ball-handlers. In this game, Miyaji Kiyoshi was just limited by Maki, so he lacked standout moments. But who should Ryonan use for defense?
Yagami Sorato's gaze unconsciously turned toward Sendoh beside him. The instant their eyes met, both read the same answer in each other.
Midorima Shintaro would definitely be defended by one of the two, while Ikegami Ryoji would handle either Miyaji Kiyoshi or Takao Kazunari.
If Ryonan met Shutoku in upcoming matches, how to defend would be their greatest test!
Fourth quarter began. Shutoku's possession.
Kainan immediately deployed extremely oppressive full-court press, trying to disrupt Shutoku's rhythm.
Under high pressure, Takao Kazunari used excellent vision for a precise pass finding the abandoned Kimura Shinsuke.
After catching, Kimura Shinsuke didn't hesitate, charging straight to the basket for a layup!
Shutoku 87 - Kainan 75
Possession changed. Kainan's offense.
Maki Shinichi exploited Shutoku's interior vulnerability, directly lobbing into the paint.
Takasago Kazuma understood, actively seeking contact after receiving, attempting to draw Otsubo Taisuke's foul.
Otsubo Taisuke was obviously tentative defensively, not daring to jump easily. Takasago Kazuma seized the opportunity, easily turning to send the ball through.
Shutoku 87 - Kainan 77
Shutoku's offense.
Since Kainan's strategy was abandoning Kimura Shinsuke, Takao Kazunari decisively adjusted offensive focus, using him as the entry point.
Kainan obviously had preparation. Maki Shinichi used superior mobility trying to rotate and help.
But the instant he moved, Miyaji Kiyoshi spotted his chance cutting to the basket. Kimura Shinsuke's pass arrived perfectly.
After catching, Miyaji Kiyoshi rose lightly for a stable floater.
Shutoku 89 - Kainan 77
Kainan continued targeting Shutoku's interior, only to discover their formation had changed unexpectedly—Otsubo Taisuke had actually switched with Midorima Shintaro, with Midorima defending the paint!
"This guy..."
Maki drove forcefully to the basket. Midorima Shintaro's help timing was perfect.
"Swish!"
Takasago Kazuma received Maki Shinichi's direct pass and immediately turned for a two-handed dunk!
"PAP!"
Midorima Shintaro's reaction was extremely fast. He slapped Takasago Kazuma's arm while simultaneously swatting the ball away.
"TWEET!" The whistle sounded.
"Using a foul to demonstrate his resolve?"
Maki's expression grew grave. The earlier test was sufficient proof—Shutoku's switch wasn't random. Midorima Shintaro genuinely had technique for defending the paint!
Takasago Kazuma's touch was affected. He made one of two.
Shutoku 89 - Kainan 78
This meant Shutoku's defense was very successful.
However, during possession changes, Kainan still seized opportunities.
Kiyota Nobunaga made a key steal on Takao Kazunari, rapidly counter-attacking.
After receiving, Jin Soichiro forced a shot over Otsubo Taisuke's defense.
"CLANG!"
The basketball bounced off!
"Too hasty..." Sendoh Akira shook his head.
Takasago Kazuma firmly boxed out Midorima Shintaro, but Miyaji Kiyoshi and Kimura Shinsuke simultaneously crashed the paint, still protecting the rebound.
Shutoku didn't choose fast break. Holding the advantage, they only needed to maintain rhythm.
Despite Kainan displaying astonishing tenacity in the final period, relying on slight interior advantage and Maki's repeated unreasonable forceful drives to stubbornly close the gap point by point.
However, in the final five minutes, Coach Nakatani decisively returned the lineup to regular configuration.
Tight team defense and stable offensive rhythm, like a carefully woven net, maintained the gap at a safe distance.
"TWEET!"
The game-ending whistle sounded.
Shutoku 105 - Kainan 98
Victor: Shutoku High School!
Kainan High School, which had won Kanagawa's championship and reached nationals for sixteen consecutive years, fell on the regional qualifying tournament's first day.
And this game's MVP was undoubtedly Shutoku High School's first-year—Midorima Shintaro.
With 15-for-14 shooting, 11-for-10 from three-point range (only one miss in the final period under two-man defense forcing a shot), one free throw, he delivered a nearly perfect performance totaling 39 points.