Chiba J Commander “I was able to shoot with good pace and confidence”
On December 31, the Chiba Jets and Sanen Neophoenix played against each other. This game was the first triumphant return for head coach Atsushi Ohno, who led Chiba J. until last season, finishing the last game of the year at 100-70.
First of all, Chiba J will take the lead. As coach John Patrick praised, “I think I was able to shoot confidently right off the bat with good pace.” If you build ideal form, you’ll make five consecutive three-point shots and build a double-digit lead within the first three-and-a-half minutes. In defense, he doesn’t leave Sanen free without creating a gap using many changes. Also, John Mooney, who was on his way, secured a defensive rebound and didn’t give his opponent a second chance, ending the first quarter with a big 26-12 lead.
In the 2nd quarter, Santo, who is chasing a 14-point difference, creates a shooting opportunity by rocking Chiba J with an offense actively moving off the ball when Thirdy Ravena heads a score with a pick and roll with Isaiah Hicks. In defense, fouls were called severely against shooting contests, and allowed points with free throws, etc., but managed to prevent points conceded from inside in the 3-2 zone. And with Kazuki Hosokawa, who scored 9 points including transition 3 only in this quarter, marked by pick & roll and haste to reduce the back to 10 points in the remaining 4 minutes.
Chased by Chiba J, after the required time-out ended just after the gap narrowed to 10 points, Christopher Smith, who had scored 40 points in the previous section, sank his second 3-point shot of the day to stop the flow of Holy. . In the remaining 2 minutes, Vic Law dunked a loose ball from a teammate, and soon after the defense returned to the back of his own goal and showed a rice field block.
In the 3rd quarter, Chiba J began aggressively targeting 3-pointers against Sanen, who continued the zone with no changes. Although the number of successful shots is reduced, it is easier to attack the infield by worrying about the outfield and the second chance of the offensive rebound is exploited. Also, with 5 minutes and 30 seconds remaining, Santo’s fifth team foul was called, and as the offense became easier to develop, Fumio Nishimura and Mooney scored more points from pick plays and the remaining 3 minutes and half of this quarter. I decided the game with 23 points difference.
Sanen’s coach Ohno looks back on today’s bitter triumphant game as follows. “I have nothing to say about this defeat.
