WINTER CUP SEMIFINAL MATCH
MATCH OVERVIEW
The other semifinal. Three Uncrowned Kings and Akashi Seijūrō against Midorima Shintarō and the best pair in the KUROFES poll. Shūtoku unveil the Sky Direct Three-Pointer and briefly crack the emperor. Emperor Eye and the ankle-breaker close the door. Rakuzan go to the final, 86–70.
FINAL SCOREBOARD
RESULT
Rakuzan control after the Sky Direct run is sealed
TOTAL SCORE
86 - 70
MATCH DETAILS
TOURNAMENT
Winter Cup Semifinals
LOCATION
Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
KEY PLAYMAKERS
Akashi, Midorima, Takao
DECIDING PLAY
Emperor Eye shuts down Midorima
KEY TURNING POINTS
UNCROWNED KINGS
Mibuchi, Hayama, and Nebuya are already a national title team without Akashi. With him they are the favorites.
SKY DIRECT THREE-POINTER
Shūtoku's new weapon. Midorima and Takao time a mid-air catch-and-release that skips the gather. Several threes go down before Rakuzan adjust.
EMPEROR EYE
Akashi reads the release before Midorima's feet leave the floor. High-arc shots that beat everyone else die at the top of the key.
ANKLE BREAKER
The dribble that drops the defense. Midorima is not a slasher. Once the shot is sealed and the ankles go, Shūtoku have no second gear.