Kyoto Seika Gakuen, who dominated the match from defense, Yuka Yagi, who returned to the final last year after drinking the regret “I want to win with a smile in the end” – Basket Count | Basketball Count

Coach Yamamoto: “I am convinced that a good defense will create a good offense.”

In the women’s semi-finals of the Winter Cup, Kyoto Seika Gakuen faces Tokai University Fukuoka. When he went on a 17-0 run in the first quarter, he won 70-47 for 40 minutes on a defensive rebound break, and won 70-47, advancing to the Finals for the second straight year.

Coach Yamamoto Tsunayoshi, who led the team to a clear victory, looks back on the match like this. “We had to think quickly about Tokai University Fukuoka’s countermeasures, so we let the players do everything, but they responded well. I told them to catch loose balls. The most important thing is to avoid conceding goals, which puts more pressure on the opponent. I am convinced that a good defense will create a good attack.”

As Coach Yamamoto says, from the first quarter, Tokai University Fukuoka’s main pillar Fal Aminata could not be denied, and Izoje Uche, who recorded two block shots, showed tough defense. And Uchae didn’t give the initiative to the end because he ran in transition and scored a goal. Woo Chae, who scored 13 points, said: “I definitely don’t want to lose. I didn’t want to get frustrated, so I could keep working hard until the end.”

Kyoto Seika had a big lead in the transition, but also outplayed the offense in the midfield. Yuka Yagi says, “I had a feeling I was going to score because I was matched up with other international students,” as does centered infielder Uche, who led the offense as he recorded a game-high 17 come-up points.

Yagi showed his presence in terms of scoring, but his words after the match were about defense. “In yesterday’s meeting it was said that starting defense is important. Everyone was aware of this and I was able to do it on the pitch. It was a good thing that we managed to keep the points conceded.”

Yagi, who has become the team’s best player, also puts defense first, and Kyoto Seika allowed an average of 47.5 points after four games, boasting one of the most solid defenses in the tournament. As coach Yamamoto says, the team, which took the lead from the defense, returned to the final last year after drinking tears of frustration. Yagi, who lost his dream by 4 points last year, expressed his determination for tomorrow as follows. “I am happy to be back on this stage and I am grateful to many people.