From sparring to superstar

Chapter 90 88. Sound the horn of counterattack!

Trey Pagnell received the ball in a three-threat stance, faked and cheated Jason Richardson, and made a mid-range shot with a step.

Shelby Jordan defends Maurice Peterson alone, seizes the opportunity to complete the cut, steals and throws it to Nate Hale, Nate Hale counterattacks and rushes to the frontcourt, facing Martin Cliffs interference and rushing inside Take two points by force.

30 to 26, the Trojans once again took a 4-point lead!
Li Ao recalled Shelby Jordan's one-on-one defense just now, the method was similar to his, but the more experienced Shelby Jordan cut the ball...

He was still proud of Shelby Jordan learning from him just now, but after thinking about it, he started to feel pain again.

Game experience!
The 4-year game is not for nothing. From him, I found a way to defend against Morris Peterson. I learned not to say anything, but also to catch the opponent's loopholes that he didn't catch.

However, he thought about it again, didn't he learn another trick!

After being beaten 4-0, the Spartans began to exert their strength.

Martin Cliffs didn't give the ball to Maurice Peterson anymore. He saw that the opponent's defense was extremely targeted. In their pre-match preparations, they predicted that Li Ao and Shelby Jordan would play like alligators Like the Steam Boiler Workers team, they resorted to a double striker combination to defend the flanks.

Li Ao defends small forwards and Shelby Jordan defends power forwards.

In that case, Morris - Peterson has a chance.

Unexpectedly, the opponent directly asked these two people to take turns defending Morris Peterson, and they both defended very well!
Maybe Morris Peterson can find a flaw in the opponent's defense after playing a few more games, and the singles will become better.

But Martin - Cliffs dare not try and make mistakes!

This is not an invitational tournament, but the final!
But it doesn't matter, Maurice Peterson is their strongest scorer, yes, the others score the most with eleven or twelve points per game.

But they averaged [-] or [-] points per game. It’s not like Granville and Trey Pagnier can only score [-] or [-] points, but the team only needs them to score [-] or [-] points to make the team’s offense run smoothly. After all, there is only one ball.

Any of their five players who are bound to enter the NBA can average 15+ or even higher per game!

Under the leadership of Martin Cliffs, he and AJ Granger played the main attack in singles, Aluxian Anagonje supported, Maurice Peterson flanked the running position, and Jason Richardson made the corner In response, they beat the Trojans 9-4.

35 to 34, the Spartans overtook the Trojans by one point!
Just when the Spartans were about to take advantage of the victory and chase to widen the point difference, Brusenthal stepped forward and hit a stepping hook in a low face-up single!
Li Ao jumped up from the bench and shouted "David" loudly. At this time, the big screen was given to the Trojans bench. guard".

This made Brusenthal's blood boil!The tremendous pressure brought by the opponent's strong strength was swept away.

The opponent's star is strong, but their side is not weak either!
They won all the way to the finals, so what to be afraid of, just do it!
Li Ao's eyes lit up when he saw that the anxious expression of Brusenthal, who was retreating because he was worried about the next defense, became so excited that he was a little ferocious.

Sitting on the sidelines to rest, he is not completely useless!
Where are the towels?
Li Ao reached out and snatched the towel from Sam Clancy next to him, and waved it to cheer for his teammates.

Sam Clancy: (O_O)? ? ? ?
Several other teammates on the sidelines saw Li Ao driving the fans, and they also came to the sidelines to wave towels.

Sam Clancy: [○`Д○]
I also want to wave a towel, Hun Dan!

Does this show how out of place I am?

On the court, the Trojans inevitably fell into a disadvantage again.

The Spartans were forced by the Trojans to play infinite singles. Although their team offense was cut, the singles were too strong!

but……

Nate Hale scored a floater, and Li Ao led the Trojans fans to shout "Nate".

Shelby Jordan made a successful defense, and Li Ao led the Trojans fans to shout "Little Lambert".

Even when Brusenthal grabbed a rebound, Li Ao led the fans to shout "David".

Some Trojans fans were driven by Li Ao, and some guessed what Li Ao was thinking, but no matter what the idea was, they all followed suit.

There were more than 9 people at the scene, and a considerable part of them were not fans of the two teams that were in the game, nor the fans of the two teams that were eliminated, nor were they locals. These people were also driven by the fanatical atmosphere of the Trojans fans , and shouted along.

From the players to the fans, everyone is so united.

This scene shocked the TV commentator.

In fact, it is quite a secondary school, and in normal times, it will make the player who is called shyly shoot.

But tonight is different!
Trojans players need encouragement!Cheers and shouts are needed to motivate them!

Although the Spartans took the absolute initiative, the players of the Trojans bit the score amidst the cheers of the fans!

打到17分22秒，比分来到44比41，斯巴达人队领先特洛伊人队3分。

In the past few rounds, the Spartans scored 9 points efficiently, but the Trojans also scored 5 points!
Taking advantage of Shelby Jordan's forward pass to Maurice Peterson's racket out of bounds, the ball was dead, Henry Bibby called a timeout, and replaced Trey Pagnier and Baiman with Granville and Li Ao Ba played, Nate Hale, Shelby Jordan, and Brusenthal continued to play.

Li Ao came to the court and looked at the players on the opposite court. The opponent also made a rotation. Martin Cliffs finally came off the court to rest. Charlie Bell re-entered the court and played point guard. Chadson, Maurice Peterson, Aluxian Anagonye, ​​Andre Hutson.

The other 4 starters got a little rest time in the first half, but Morris Peterson has not been replaced yet!

Li Ao quickly figured out the opponent's intentions - using Morris Peterson to contain him or Shelby Jordan.

The timeout ended and the Spartans continued their offense.

Charlie Bell launched the offense in singles and continued to play star tactics.

Jason Richardson seized the opportunity to turn around and throw away Granville who was around the front and cut into the basket. Charlie Bell made the ball. Jason Richardson rushed to the left sideline of the three-second zone, took off, and lifted the ball Fly to the basket.

He wants to dunk!

The future slam dunk king wants to use a dunk to blow the horn to open the score... "Pa"... Li Ao rushed into the basket from the right side of the three-second zone, and slapped his sister deeply with a slap. Gotta deep dunk down on the ball!

'Siege level 2' effect bonus, Li Ao's speed +3 when shrinking and defending!The speed is increased to 92, and the start is increased to 88!Be there in time!
Shelby Jordan was on the court together, and he was following Aluxian Anagonye, ​​who was in charge of supporting the opponent, at the free throw line. Li Ao shrank very decisively!

The ball was slapped by Li Ao on the backboard and bounced to the left of the three-second zone. Granville spun around the post flexibly and took the defensive rebound.

Fight back!
Granville advanced to the frontcourt, and with the help of Li Ao who followed up, he divided the ball... Nate Haier cut in from the wing, caught the ball and flew to the basket and made a layup!
43 to 44, the Trojans narrowed the point difference to 1 point!
When the Spartans attacked, Charlie Bell singled Nate Hale, not only made a shot, but also caused a foul, got an extra penalty and made a hit.

Offensive and defensive transition, Li Ao ran, received Nate Haier's pass from the left side of the three-second zone with a screen, Andre Hutson changed defense very quickly, Li Ao did not get rid of the defense, but turned around and took off immediately after receiving the ball... ...not a shot!He jumped up and passed the ball down to the right of the three-second zone!

Granville, who received the ball, did not disappoint Li Ao. He took two steps to the three-second zone, and met the slow-footed Aluxian-Anagonye with a small throw...hit!
The Spartans players felt a little anxious-this group of people is too good at chasing, why can't the damn score be opened?

When the Spartans attacked, Andre Hutson hit Brusenthal in the low post. The Trojans still chose to defend one-on-one. Brusenthal failed to defend, and Andre- Hutson turned and jumped to the other side of the basket for a low layup.

Looking back, the Trojans didn't play well. Li Ao took the blame, without fear, and took off against Morris Peterson. When he took off, he leaned back. The angle of the whole person leaned back exceeded 45 degrees. Although he managed to avoid Morris Peterson's block, he fell directly to the floor after the shot.

But the ball went in!

Li Ao catches the ball and leans back... after catching the ball, he lays down and makes a shot!
47 to 49, the Trojans bite the score!

With 13 seconds left in the first half, Charlie Bell advanced to the frontcourt and passed the ball to Maurice Peterson.

In the last attack of the half, Charlie Bell chose the player with the strongest scoring ability for the team.

Although the five starters of the Spartans all have the ability to score points, in those non-top teams in the NCAA, each of them can be used as a core scorer, but there are always differences in strength, Morris Peterson can be their only one A player with an average of 5+ per game is naturally not the opportunity given to him by his teammates, but the role of the first shot that he grabs by relying on his strength.

Although Maurice Peterson was tortured enough by Li Ao and Shelby Jordan in the first half, Charlie Bell chose to believe in the star of the team at this time.

Maurice Peterson received the ball, not much time, and directly rushed inside, squeezed Li Ao to the left sideline of the three-second zone to take off, throwing a shot...

Not a good shot!Although he forcibly squeezed to the shooting point, but his strength was not as strong as Li Ao's, he shot crookedly!

After the opponent made a shot, Li Ao didn't make any extra moves to avoid fouls, and turned around directly to make a blocking motion. The ball bounced back on the left side of the basket's neck.

Li Ao took the defensive rebound and hugged it, not giving Morris Peterson a chance to steal it. When he passed the ball to Granville who ran up to meet him, the long whistle sounded at the end of the first half.

49 to 47, after the first half, the Spartans lead the Trojans by only 2 points!

The reactions of the players of the two teams were completely different.

The Trojans were behind, but each one was in high spirits.

While the Spartans were leading, some people continued to curse.

After entering the intermission and returning to the locker room, the players of the Trojans actively exchanged their experience in the first half of the game.

Li Ao talked with Shelby Jordan about defense, with White Mamba about running and shooting, with Granville about support and cooperation, and with Brusenthal about low-post scoring...

Every player is communicating with teammates who need to play the same style or need to cooperate, and learn from each other's experience in the first half of the game.

Henry Bibby did not disturb the communication between the players during the halftime break, and did not make tactical adjustments. He stood silently and left all the time for the players.

He is determined, and he will continue to play like this in the second half!
The situation far exceeded his expectations. He originally thought that if they trailed by less than 10 points at halftime, they would still have to play.

Unexpectedly, it was only two points behind!

Then the second half will be interesting.

Henry Bibby is full of pride at this moment-five quasi-NBA players are very strong.

But we are stronger!
The beating is a quasi-NBA player!

...

Back from halftime, the second half began.

The Trojans did not disrupt the rotation, and the combination of Granville, Sandy Fletcher, Li Ao, Shelby Jordan, and Evanisco played.

The Spartans are much more aggressive. Tom Izzo directly sent Martin Cliffs, Charlie Bell, Maurice Peterson, Andre Hutson, and AJ Granger to the starting lineup.

In the opening stage, the Spartans used Charlie Bell as the main attack, Martin Cliffs, who played a long time in the first half, went to the bottom corner to meet, Maurice Peterson continued to contain the flanks, and Andre Hutson And AJ-Granger served as a secondary offensive point and support point.

The Spartans performed very fiercely. They scored 7 goals in 5 rounds and scored 12 points!
But their idea of ​​overthrowing the Trojans in one fell swoop fell through.

The Trojans also scored 6 points during this time!
The opponent hit the iron twice, Granville seized the opportunity to counterattack and gave Li Ao an alley-oop assist; Granville broke through and made a throw; Li Ao grabbed the offensive rebound and passed it to the basket for another Shelby Jordan, who was ignored on the side, made a layup with the ball and didn't waste a chance.

The point difference was still within double digits. When the Trojans called a timeout, the score was 53 to 61, 8 points behind the Spartans!
Henry Bibby replaced Sandy Fletcher, Li Ao moved to the back line, and the White Mamba played after a period of rest!
After the timeout, Bai Mamba came up to catch Li Ao and scored a three-pointer, helping the team chase the point difference to 5 points!
When it comes to the Spartans' offense, the past two rounds have been inside offenses, and this time it's Charlie Bell's turn.

Facing Li Ao's defense, Charlie Bell knew why Maurice Peterson was so irritable and cursed at the halftime break.

He thought it was Li Ao's petty actions that angered Maurice Peterson, but now he knew it was far more than that.

This guy is about as fast as he is, faster than Martin Cliffs and Jason Richardson, but the confrontation is more than what he felt in the one-on-one training with Maurice Peterson. Even stronger!
Li Ao's 'Strength Level 2' triggers, facing Charlie Bell, who is not as tall as him and weighs less than him, speed +3, strength +3.

The speed and strength of Li Ao encountered by Charlie Bell are even stronger than those encountered by Morris Peterson!

With Maurice Peterson's poor 7-of-2 first-half performance, Li Ao's pressure boost from 'Pressure Level 2' played a role on Charlie Bell.

Charlie Bell was not confident when he broke through, causing the breakthrough rhythm to be messed up, and he was forced to stop on the right side of the three-second zone by Li Ao!

At this time, Maurice Peterson circled to the top arc to respond, and Charlie Bell hurriedly passed the pass, not seeing Martin Cleves pressing Granville to press the ball on the right sideline.

Morris Peterson did not break through after receiving the ball, but turned around and pulled it up and threw it!

With a bang, Morris Peterson sent the 6th iron tonight!
Evanisco got stuck, and Li Ao received a defensive rebound!
It's a pity that Evanisco's close-range shot from the bottom line missed, and the Trojans failed to continue to close the point difference.

But Li Ao encouraged Evanisco to have the opportunity to continue shooting and not to have psychological pressure. This moved Evanisco very much, and he played harder on the defensive end.

As the second half progressed, the situation became anxious.

The main reason is that the offensive firepower of the Spartans has dropped significantly compared to the 7-point stage in 12 rounds.

However, the Trojans can't do it if they want to overtake the score in one fell swoop.

The tyrannical personal abilities of the five major players are still an insurmountable mountain.

Even Maurice Peterson, who is 8 out of 2, can hold Shelby Jordan down.

This is the absolute focus of the Trojans' defense, not allowing Morris Peterson to have any chance of soaring.

But the Trojans also have an advantage that makes the Spartans crazy -- the depth of the lineup!
Tom Izzo didn't dare to send the 8th player tonight. Compared with the 7-man main force, although 5 of the 3 people at the end of the bench are the top 98 high school students in the United States, their goal this year is to take advantage of the juniors. Four of the top five starters are at the best time, the impact of the championship, the cultivation of newcomers, only gave the talented Jason Richardson and Aluxian Anagonye the opportunity to exercise, the three 99 The top [-] high school students in the United States in [-] and [-] didn't have much playing time in the division stage.

The start of the second half failed to directly beat the Trojans. Tom Izzo already felt that something was wrong, and now he dared not rotate easily.

As for Henry Bibby, if he needs to change, he can change. If someone is available, he has the confidence!

The battle line continued to stretch, and the Trojans began to take the initiative.

Halfway through the second half, Henry Bibby found that AJ Granger was less and less leaving the three-second zone when the opponent was defending. Of course, this was due to the decline in the outside shooting percentage of the Trojans, but he judged that the most important thing was AJ Granger. Granger's stamina has declined!

The Spartans have a center with a height of 211 centimeters, Adam Barringer, the 99th high school student in the United States in 34, but he didn't play for a second tonight, except for a few minutes by Aluxian Anagonje Center, AJ Granger has been playing.

Henry Bibby called a timeout and put Sam Clancy on decisively!
Raiders are dispatched!

After returning from the timeout, Sam Clancy, who had just played, made a contribution. He used the white mamba to cut in and received a pass from Li Ao. -Granger smashes the ball into the hoop!
"Sam...Sam...Sam"

The fans shouted Sam Clancy's name wildly.

Sam Clancy, who just got the chance to play at this time, has no negative emotions. The teammates played well!
But, finally, the shouts of tens of thousands of fans finally belonged to him!

(End of this chapter)