A team that emphasizes tactical teamwork is bound to have an excellent point guard; this has always been a golden rule in basketball.
Sun Anhhui, playing under Zheng Wu's spotlight, still managing to showcase the prowess of a top-ranked point guard in the league, indicates that Sun Anhhui possesses unique strengths, at least within the high school basketball scene.
In previous years, few could challenge Sun Anhhui for the title of Zhejiang league's number one point guard. This was because most high school players were fixated on scoring, placing immense importance on their scoring ability. Players of all positions wished they were "scoring kings"...
However, this year, He Ximeng emerged as an anomaly on the national tournament stage, someone who "disliked" scoring immensely and preferred to facilitate... or more precisely, to "coach"... This posed a significant threat to Sun Anhhui's position as the top point guard.
Therefore, this match was not just a battle for league supremacy between Zhuji and Huipu; for Sun Anhhui and He Ximeng, it was a contest for the title of the league's best point guard!
Of course, He Ximeng himself was not particularly interested in the title of league's best point guard. But even if He Ximeng wasn't interested, it didn't mean Sun Anhhui wasn't!
In past Zhejiang league grassroots competitions, the best point guard in the best lineup almost invariably came from Huipu High School! Huipu High School's unique team-building model meant they could do without the strongest center or the strongest small forward, but they absolutely needed the strongest point guard!
Sun Anhhui had finally waited for the previous year's best point guard, his senior at Huipu High School, to graduate. This year, he could finally take charge and make it into the best lineup, and he was not willing to miss this sole opportunity...
"Your performance this year has been outstanding... but it's time to draw the line..."
He Ximeng was taken aback. In the previous two years, he and Sun Anhhui had had little interaction. Huipu High School was too dominant, always in a league of their own, and consequently, many of their team members disdained extensive interaction with players from other teams.
The team that interacted the most with Huipu High School was Hangzhou No. 4 High School. This was understandable, as both teams had teamed up to compete in the Eastern League for the past two years.
In contrast, teams like Zhuji High School, Ningbo No. 4 High School, and Caota High School, the "losers' alliance," often found themselves watching games together from the stands after their matches, leading to more interaction amongst them.
Facing Sun Anhhui's taunt, He Ximeng offered no immediate response. He simply smiled faintly and pointed towards the sideline, in the direction of Huipu High School's coaching bench.
Suspecting no trickery, Sun Anhhui assumed the head coach on the sideline had some instruction. He turned to look, and seizing the moment of Sun Anhhui's distraction, He Ximeng snatched the basketball, which was initially heading towards Sun Anhhui, into his own hands...
Yes, Yu Lepin had won the tip-off, but due to Yan Hui's interference, the ball's trajectory wasn't precise, landing roughly between He Ximeng and Sun Anhhui...
With He Ximeng securing the ball, the game officially began.
"You tricked me!" Sun Anhhui exclaimed, clearly annoyed.
"All's fair in love and war! Little fellow, you must stay focused when playing, alright~"
He Ximeng harbored no ill feelings towards Sun Anhhui; on the contrary, he was quite appreciative!
It was rare for high school players like Sun Anhhui to calmly hone their organizational skills. Of course, this also reflected the coaching ability of the old coach, especially his unique approach to developing point guards in China.
Although his initial provocation attempt failed and he was outmaneuvered by He Ximeng, Sun Anhhui quickly composed himself, retreating and defending, constantly tracking He Ximeng's movements. Unlike typical point guards who would simply turn and retreat, this was an excellent defensive habit, indicating Sun Anhhui's solid fundamentals.
After pushing the ball past half-court, He Ximeng did not rush his offense. Instead, he orchestrated passes from the perimeter, first observing Huipu High School's overall defense.
Huipu High School was employing a zone defense at the start of the game, with each of the five players in their designated positions. They neither sagged deep nor played too far out, maintaining a balanced state between the inside and outside.
Zhuji High School, through their perimeter ball movement, could not find any obvious weaknesses. He Ximeng attempted to cut inside using Wang Xian's off-ball screen, but Zheng Wu anticipated it, rotating early to block his path.
Tang Chenfeng's bounce pass nearly resulted in a turnover. Fortunately, He Ximeng reacted quickly, changing direction. After catching the ball, He Ximeng attempted a spin move to shake off Zheng Wu, but Zheng Wu's defense was even more tenacious than He Ximeng had imagined! He stuck close to He Ximeng, delaying his drive.
Inside, Yu Lepin and Hu Yinqiu simultaneously collapsed, preparing to trap He Ximeng with Zheng Wu.
If the double-team closed in, He Ximeng would not only lose space to shoot but also very little room to pass.
Many teams had faltered against Huipu High School's quick collapsing traps, especially those teams that relied on driving to the basket for points.
However, He Ximeng had already analyzed Huipu High School's defensive tactics for Zhuji High School, so he was not unfamiliar with Huipu's reactions. To break through this defensive scheme, He Ximeng either needed to be exceptionally explosive and power through, or his shot needed to be quick enough to pass to the perimeter players in time...
If it were the He Ximeng of previous games, without a second thought, he would have shot early and passed to Tang Chenfeng in the corner for support. But in this game, He Ximeng decided to challenge his limits...
This time, He Ximeng leaped high amidst the triple-team of Zheng Wu, Yu Lepin, and Hu Yinqiu. Mid-air, he spun to avoid the direct coverage of Yu Lepin and Hu Yinqiu, then brought the ball back, evading Zheng Wu's trailing block from behind. Finally, he arced towards the far side and with a spin, shot the ball off the backboard, scoring!
"Wow!" He Ximeng's opening play elicited gasps from the entire arena!
"I told you this kid was holding back..." Yuan Zhangyang shouted the loudest from the stands!
Beside him, those like Yu Zhibo, Xiao Yu, and Hu Yunlong could only helplessly admit that Yuan Zhangyang was right; He Ximeng had indeed concealed a significant portion of his strength when playing against them.
He Ximeng's true strength might have only been partially revealed in the game against Hangzhou No. 4 High School. However, in that game, his prowess was primarily demonstrated through his perimeter three-pointers; such incredibly difficult layups were unheard of.
"This guy... he didn't go all out when playing against me either..." Liu Yudong, who remained stoic in the stands, couldn't help but grumble internally about He Ximeng, "I really want to have another good match against him in the professional league..."
On Zhuji High School's own bench, Zhang Tianai's eyes sparkled, and she murmured to herself, "It's over, I'm completely smitten... He's so incredibly cool..."