He Ximeng turned around and, in the process of driving, pulled up for a shot from a step beyond the three-point line, hitting an NBA-distance three-pointer!
Before Chen Jianghua could react, He Ximeng had already pulled up and shot...
He Ximeng, facing two opponents, engaged in a three-point shootout with Zhu Fangyu and Wang Shipeng. Chen Jianghua suffered the worst, unfortunately becoming collateral damage, repeatedly serving as a backdrop during He Ximeng's counterattacks.
The head coach of Panyu Middle School was very dissatisfied with Chen Jianghua's defensive performance and attempted to switch defenders, having Wang Shipeng guard him. Wang Shipeng was then tasked with guarding He Ximeng... The result was that he had misjudged Chen Jianghua!
After the mismatch, Wang Shipeng showed no improvement in restricting He Ximeng. Instead, He Ximeng utilized his speed advantage, driving past him for several layups...
Panyu Middle School's three-point surge failed, not only failing to overturn the deficit but also falling victim to He Ximeng's counterattack, widening the point gap to 10 points!
Although in the final quarter, Du Feng played fiercely inside, helping Panyu Middle School narrow the gap back to single digits, Zhuji Middle School, with He Ximeng controlling the game, consistently prevented Panyu Middle School from establishing a scoring run.
Ultimately, Panyu Middle School lost to Zhuji Middle School 75:80, losing their chance to advance to the semifinals.
For Zhuji Middle School, He Ximeng was on fire today! In the second and third quarters, He Ximeng traded three-pointers with Zhu and Wang, shooting 11 times and making 7, scoring 21 points solely from three-pointers. Combined with his drives and free throws, he amassed a total of 35 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block in the game!
On the national stage, He Ximeng dropped the pretense, revealed his hand, and unleashed his full power...
Viewers watching on television, seeing such an aggressive He Ximeng, found it hard to process: "Is this still the He Ximeng who was obsessed with passing, chattered on the court, didn't shoot when he had opportunities, and chose layups over dunks?"
The players from the other seven participating teams were unaware of He Ximeng's performance in the grassroots and Eastern district competitions. They assumed He Ximeng had "charged" his way through all along.
"Hmm... accurate threes, sharp drives, scoring ability comparable to Hu Weidong and Liu Yudong, better than Zheng Wuqiang... No wonder he could displace those old buddies..."
After securing their first victory in the national tournament, He Ximeng finally felt a hint of excitement.
After all, this was the stage he had once yearned for but could not obtain.
However, He Ximeng failed to notice two foreigners with video cameras mixed in a corner of the stands.
"What do you think? After watching a day of games, have you found any players of interest?"
The older foreigner, holding a cup of cola, asked the younger one.
The younger foreigner yawned and nodded, "Number 14 from Tsinghua High School, Number 8 from Shenyang No. 2 Middle School, Number 11 from Nanmo Middle School, and Number 4 from Zhuji Middle School! So far, I've only found these four little guys with some potential... Also, I didn't find Hu Weidong from Nanjing No. 9 Middle School or Liu Yudong from Hangzhou No. 4 Middle School, or Zheng Wu from Huipu Middle School, whom you mentioned earlier..."
"Mm! According to my information, those players didn't make it here this year!"
"Oh? Who defeated them?"
"The ones you just mentioned, Number 11 from Nanmo Middle School and Number 4 from Zhuji Middle School!"
"Ah, okay, so do we still need to travel to Zhejiang and Jiangsu?"
"Let's make a judgment after watching the rest of the national tournament..."
"You're the boss, I'll listen to you... By the way, today's games are over, where are we going for a drink tonight?"
The younger foreigner winked at the older one, but the older one didn't play along, replying righteously, "Before we left, your father specifically instructed me not to take you out to bars and mess around..."
"Bullshit! What do you mean mess around? I'm experiencing exotic customs, alright?"
"But I don't want to lose my job..."
"I don't say, you don't say, who will know we found a bar on this side of the Pacific and had a few drinks?"
The older foreigner still shook his head.
"Oh, God... I spent more than ten hours on a plane, only to watch a few high school basketball games? Does God care?"
"I don't know if God cares, but your dad does, and I listen to your dad..."
"Alright then! Advance me some salary. If you don't go, I'll go by myself. That's fine, right?"
"No! Your dad specifically instructed that your salary for this part-time job will only be paid after you return home..."
"Bullshit... This is killing me... I want to experience Chinese martial arts, Chinese bars, Chinese beauties, and these all require money..."
The middle-aged foreigner, holding cola in his left hand and spreading his right hand, indicated his inability to help.
The first day of competition concluded, with four teams rejoicing and four facing disappointment!
In the upper bracket, Tsinghua High School and Nanmo Middle School won and advanced, and will compete tomorrow for a spot in the finals.
In the lower bracket, Shenyang No. 2 Middle School and Zhuji Middle School won and advanced, and will compete tomorrow for the other spot in the finals.
The defeated teams in the upper bracket, Dizhi Middle School and Shude Middle School, and the defeated teams in the lower bracket, Panyu Middle School and Zhengzhou No. 11 Middle School, will continue to battle to determine fifth to eighth place.
Upon returning to the hotel, He Ximeng reminded everyone to shower and get ready, then gathered everyone in Third Uncle's room to review the good and bad aspects of their game against Panyu Middle School, how to improve, and what to do better. After the review, they went to the cafeteria for dinner, and upon returning, analyzed the game where Shenyang No. 2 Middle School defeated Zhengzhou No. 11 Middle School, formulating offensive and defensive tactics for tomorrow's game against Shenyang No. 2 Middle School.
After the grinding of the grassroots and Eastern district competitions, the players of Zhuji Middle School had become accustomed to He Ximeng's rhythm. They assumed that all teams, especially those reaching the national tournament, operated at essentially the same pace. Little did they know that the other seven teams, on different floors, were actually in a state of rest.
The second day of the national tournament began with the four teams that lost the previous day.
In the upper bracket, Dizhi Middle School and Shude Middle School engaged in a fierce battle. Ultimately, Shude Middle School, with Wang Shu's outstanding performance in the paint, defeated their opponent 72:68, securing their first victory in this year's national tournament.
In the lower bracket, Zhengzhou No. 11 Middle School's Li Chuqing went all out, but still couldn't overcome Panyu Middle School's three-point barrage, ultimately losing 77:82.
Tomorrow, the final day of competition, Shude Middle School will contend with Panyu Middle School for fifth place, while Zhengzhou No. 11 Middle School will face Dizhi Middle School for seventh place.
After these two games, the main event of the day will commence.