At that time, the 12 strongest high school players from 12 countries around the world, along with the 12 strongest high school players in the United States, will engage in exchanges and competitions, culminating in a showdown of titans!
Subsequently, major basketball colleges in North America, and even NBA teams, will dispatch scouts to the Nike Basketball Summit to observe firsthand the performances of these basketball prodigies from around the globe and across the nation, using this as a crucial reference for invitation consideration...
In China, as the National Tournament progresses from the quarterfinals to the semifinals and then to the finals, Nike's selection process is gradually narrowing down.
Yesterday, there were still four candidates. With the conclusion of today's matches, only two remain!
In tomorrow's finals, Wang Zhizhi from Tsinghua High School and He Ximeng from Zhuji Middle School will face off in the ultimate showdown. The winner will receive an invitation from Nike to attend the summit across the ocean...
Why did He Ximeng insist on playing in the National Tournament, why did he insist on winning the national championship, and why did he insist on becoming the strongest high school student in the country? Because he had long been aware of this path...
The spot for the 1996 Nike Basketball Summit in China originally belonged to Dazhi... But now, He Ximeng has to apologize to Dazhi... This spot is a must-win for He Ximeng!
Upon returning to the hotel, He Ximeng quickly took a shower and then summoned all the players to San Ye's room to watch game footage and analyze tactics...
This might be the last time He Ximeng watches game footage and analyzes tactics with his teammates.
The teammates were all very happy! For them, reaching the National Tournament was already fulfilling their youthful dreams. Reaching the finals of the National Tournament was exceeding all expectations. Tomorrow, facing the powerhouse Tsinghua High School, the outcome of the game was inconsequential. Their high school basketball careers were essentially free of regret... Most importantly, Tsinghua High School had already achieved ten consecutive championships in the National Tournament. No one believed that Zhuji Middle School, the dark horse, could defeat Tsinghua High School; in fact, even the players of Zhuji Middle School themselves felt the same way...
Of course, He Ximeng was an exception!
From beginning to end, he clearly knew that what he wanted was not the runner-up...
Oh, no, besides He Ximeng, there was another exception in Zhuji Middle School, and that was Zhang Zhenpeng, who aspired to be the number one player in the National Tournament next year...
In the final day of matches, the first game was between Zhengzhou No. 11 High School and Geosciences Middle School. Ultimately, Zhengzhou No. 11 High School, led by Li Chuqing and Li Gen, defeated Geosciences Middle School, securing seventh place in this year's National Tournament, with Geosciences Middle School taking eighth place.
The second game featured Panyu Middle School versus Shude Middle School. Despite Wang Shu fighting until the final second, he was still outmatched by Panyu Middle School's lineup of one inside player and two shooters. In the end, Panyu Middle School secured fifth place, and Shude Middle School took sixth place.
The third game was between Nanmo Middle School and Shenyang No. 2 High School. Yesterday, Shenyang No. 2 High School, plagued by extremely bad luck, experienced a turn of fortune today. Their shooting touch completely returned. Besides Sun Jun, Wu Qinglong, Zhang Qingpeng, and Li Xiaoyong all ignited from beyond the three-point line. Coupled with an aggressive fast-break strategy, Shenyang No. 2 High School pushed Nanmo Middle School back at every turn. As the game neared its end and Da Yao's stamina waned, Nanmo Middle School's comeback attempt failed, and they were defeated, ultimately finishing in fourth place.
By defeating Nanmo Middle School, another strong team from the East Zone, Shenyang No. 2 High School could somewhat wash away the humiliation of their crushing defeat to Zhuji Middle School yesterday.
The final match, the championship game between Zhuji Middle School and Tsinghua High School, was finally about to commence amidst great anticipation!
This game was specifically scheduled for 3 PM on a weekend, considering television viewership ratings!
The benefit of this was that students wouldn't have to skip classes to watch the live broadcast!
Teams with the means, such as Nanjing No. 9 High School, Huipu Middle School, and Hangzhou No. 4 High School, directly opened their sports department strategy rooms for the basketball teams to use, watching this championship game together!
And in the entire city of Zhuji, not just at Zhuji Middle School, parents of any family with students adjusted their television channels to this pinnacle showdown!
For Zhuji, a county town with a population of less than 1 million, having a school basketball team represent the city of Zhuji on the highest stage in China, to engage in a fair, just, and open competition with Tsinghua High School, the strongest team from the capital, Beijing... Frankly, before this, in any field, Zhuji had to look up to Beijing as the elder brother...
The greatest charm of sports lies in the spirit, culture, and strength it can represent behind the scenes!
In international competitions, athletes compete on behalf of their respective nations.
In inter-provincial competitions, athletes compete on behalf of their respective provinces.
In inter-city competitions, athletes compete on behalf of their respective cities.
In school-level competitions, athletes primarily represent their school itself, and secondly, they represent the city where the school is located...
This afternoon, the Zhuji Middle School basketball team, representing this small Jiangnan town, challenged Tsinghua High School, representing Beijing and possessing the highest combat power in the National Tournament...
Before the game officially began, He Ximeng gathered all his teammates, solemnly looked into each of their eyes, and said earnestly, "I know that before this, no one would have thought we would reach this final stage... Challenging Tsinghua High School was once only a dream in my sleep... Countless times, I dreamed of leading my team to this strongest stage... Of course, in the past, I never dreamed of being able to defeat Tsinghua High School, just as everyone now believes we cannot defeat Tsinghua High School... But, I want to say, but, there is only one chance, and our National Tournament is only once... I sincerely beg you all, give me a chance, and give yourselves a chance. We are the strongest, we can defeat any team... Believe me, and fight alongside me one last time..."
"You are the most talented generation of players I have ever coached..." San Ye, who had remained composed, finally couldn't resist the urge and joined the pep talk...
"Youth is only once, if not now, when will you fight!"
"Let's fight, let's fight..."
All twelve players gathered together, placing their right hands on top of each other. As He Ximeng shouted the countdown, "3, 2, 1... Zhuzhong~"
Everyone shouted with all their might from the depths of their chests: "Victory! Victory! Victory!"
The powerful and imposing cheers of Zhuji Middle School instantly echoed through the Beijing Gymnasium.
"Tsinghua High School, here I come..."
He Ximeng made no attempt to conceal his fighting spirit, his sharp gaze piercing across the court, directly at Dazhi on the opposite side!