Three days passed quickly.

In the past three days, Zhang Pingya, the varsity coach from Houston State University in the United States, did not coach the Rangers in basketball for even a minute. It is conceivable that Cheng Fei and them, especially Wang Baojiang, are quite confused and disappointed by this.

I was expecting the semi-professional coach from the basketball kingdom to bring a lot of fresh training methods, as well as tactical guidance, and at the worst of all, a lot of game skills. However, he even asked the Rangers to play various "games" three days before the battle, such as badminton, table tennis, tennis, football, volleyball, and even throwing sandbags......

In addition, Zhang Pingya also explained many technical details from a very professional point of view, asking the Rangers to quickly grasp the "essence" of these "games".

Wang Baojiang is such a smart person, as the "training" has been going on in the past few days, he has slowly understood a little bit of Zhang Pingya's meaning. This kind of pre-match training has several effects, one is to get rid of boring physical training, so that the players can unconsciously exercise their physical strength, and there is no psychological baggage; Second, all kinds of sports, especially ball games, have the same 'nature'. We often see that a person with strong athletic ability is always the best in all kinds of sports. Badminton and table tennis can improve reactions, soccer can develop the big picture, volleyball can enhance the understanding of conductive coordination, and sandbags can improve reaction speed and eye-hand coordination...... And so on, you can train the players from all aspects.

Thinking of this, Wang Baojiang couldn't help but admire Zhang Pingya. There are only three days left, and at this time, it is impossible for the rangers without a foundation to digest the complex tactical positioning, and if they don't do it, they will 'make' it self-defeating and 'disrupt' their own rhythm. And physical training is not effective in two or three days. Instead of this, it is better to mobilize their competitive positive 'sex' and respond to the battle from both physical and psychological aspects.

The day before the battle, after the training, Wang Baojiang specially talked to Zhang Pingya.

"Look, how are these kids?" Wang Baojiang wanted to know how this professional basketball person who returned from overseas thought about domestic amateur basketball.

Zhang Pingya groaned for a moment, then shook his head with a smile: "It's hard to say. To be honest, the basketball penetration rate in American schools may not be much higher than in China, and when I returned to China, I heard that Chinese children are now very enthusiastic about basketball. When I arrived at my alma mater, it was full of students playing basketball. However, the level is indeed not the same as that of the United States, mainly in the gap in training guidance, which is not only the gap in technology. Although American children play basketball a lot, they like a variety of sports, have a wide range of hobbies, and have good physical fitness. ”

"I understand this," Wang Baojiang nodded, "It is said that basketball is only the third most popular sport in the United States. ”

"I'm leading a university team," Zhang Pingya continued, "and in terms of level, the gap with the professional team is not big. In terms of hardware, there are all kinds of training venues and equipment, and in terms of software, the professionals in charge of each project can provide detailed assistance, and there are several teaching assistants alone...... The country's backwardness in this regard is all-encompassing, and it is impossible to change it for a while. Therefore, these children I am bringing now, if you look at them from my personal point of view, objectively speaking, have a certain future, but in this environment in China, it is impossible to have too high requirements for them. ”

"You're referring to them becoming professional footballers?"

"Let's just say that I've also been a scout and know how to observe," Zhang Pingya said lightly, "If Mr. Wang is referring to the results achieved in this league, I can't predict it now, because I don't know anything about the basketball level of high school students in China now, it depends on how strong the opponent is." If I were to compare them with American children of the same age, I would think they ......," Zhang Pingya shrugged his shoulders, "In short, the gap can be caught up, but the environment does not allow it." ”

Wang Baojiang said thoughtfully: "Director Zhang used to be the coach of the basketball team of the military region and has a relatively high reputation, do you know why he wants to take this group of children?" ”

Zhang Pingya smiled: "I understand what you mean, I know." Although he didn't say it directly, he 'revealed' something. ”

"Oh?" Wang Baojiang smiled, "I feel the same way." ”

"Yes. "Personally, I have been a basketball coach for several years, and I am engaged in this business, unlike my father, who has been idle for many years and is easy to 'excited'. So...... Even after watching their training, I didn't really want to take over, but my father told me that he naturally hoped that I could help a little, and besides, it was also a little contribution that I could make to my alma mater. ”

Zhang Pingya paused and continued: "This group of children has a high enthusiasm for basketball and talent, but the technique is very rough. My father especially strengthened their defense, in fact, he mainly targeted a child named Cheng Fei......"

Wang Baojiang sighed: "That's what I thought, but I couldn't prove this idea." ”

Zhang Pingya nodded: "My father is very optimistic about him. In my opinion, his talent is indeed relatively high, but unfortunately his physical fitness is too far away, and if there is an American environment, he must be able to make a certain difference. His talent is focused on offensive ability, his scoring skills are not bad, and his judgment of the situation is quite accurate, and he is indeed a manufacturable material. My father has always respected defensive basketball, so he hopes to build Cheng Fei into a strong player both offensively and defensively......"

"I've always wondered about this," Mr. Wang said, "because he's still a kid after all, and his academic performance is very good, and if he goes on according to the domestic education process, he will definitely have a good future." But Director Zhang, what is the significance of cultivating Cheng Fei into a player with high quality? Is it to train to become a professional footballer? I really think it's weird......"

"I don't know," Zhang Pingya said with a smile, "Maybe I've been abroad for a long time and won't think like this." Basketball can be a profession or just a hobby, and I think it's normal to do things that interest me well. Probably, my father was just on the spur of the moment. ”

"I think, when the national league is over, let them take care of it as soon as possible," Wang Baojiang frowned and said, "Otherwise, if we delay learning, not only will we miss the future of our children, but our school is also responsible." ”

Zhang Pingya shook his head: "What the future will be, it's up to you to choose." ”

Wang Baojiang asked: "Cheng Fei likes basketball very much now, but how far do you think he can go on the road of basketball?" Can he become a professional footballer who makes a living from basketball? ”

Zhang Pingya said lightly: "That's up to him." It is impossible for even the most astute scouts to accurately predict a person's future accomplishments. Only he himself decides which way to go, and how. ”

Wang Baojiang was a little annoyed, "But at least we adults can give him some advice." Didn't you say you used to be a scout? I think that would at least lead to a relatively accurate conclusion. ”

Zhang Pingya said with a smile: "Mr. Wang, if I were him, I would never take the road of a professional player." ”

Wang Baojiang was silent for a long time, and seemed to be relieved, "I understand." ”

*************

10:30 a.m. on September 10, 1996. Yichang Youth Activity Center.

The opening ceremony of the regional selection of the National High School Basketball League was held here. This time, not only high schools in Yichang City participated, but also county-level city high schools in Yichang area, such as Zhijiang No. 1 Middle School, Dangyang Middle School and Zigui No. 1 Middle School. The county seat of these teams is nearly two or three hours' drive from Yichang City, but the school has attached great importance to this league, so all the players and coaches came to the city to participate in the opening ceremony.

Zhang Pingya and Wang Baojiang took the rangers in a special car from No. 6 Middle School and rushed to the Yichang Youth Activity Center. When they arrived, there were already quite a few people in the small central venue. Wang Baojiang saw the heads of the sports departments of various schools, and hurriedly greeted each other with a smile and greeted each other.

As soon as Cheng Fei and the others walked into the venue, they immediately attracted the curious eyes of many people. They were wearing white 'colored' sportswear, with the words "Gezhouba No. 6 High School" written on the back, and their identities were naturally obvious. However, most of the school teams here have 'interacted' with the No. 6 Middle School team, but this time they found that the No. 6 Middle School team was completely changed, and they couldn't even find a familiar face, which was really surprising.

The Rangers also looked at them curiously.

In the end, it is a basketball league, and there are very few players standing in it, there are countless players who are more than 1.80 meters, and there are not a few players above 1.90 meters, it is a world of giants.

Zhang Pingya was well-informed, so he was naturally not surprised at all, and his expression was very calm. Instead, the Rangers looked around, looking at unfamiliar faces, sometimes marveling at some of the taller high school students.

Cheng Fei looked left and right, and suddenly felt a beam of eyes that was extremely sharp, sweeping over them. He turned his head and saw that it was a well-proportioned guy about 1.80 meters tall, this person had a handsome face, and there was always a faint smile on his face.

The man noticed that Cheng Fei was looking at him, and he also looked away. Looking at each other, the man smiled, and Cheng Fei didn't have any expression. The man was probably a little embarrassed, turned around, and the clothes on his back were impressively printed with "Yichang No. 1 High School Varsity"!

Cheng Fei glanced at this group of people and thought to himself, this is the king of high school basketball in Yichang City......

Many coaches asked Wang Baojiang what was going on with the school team, and Wang Baojiang was not easy to say, just as the organizers of the event announced the start of the opening ceremony, he went down the steps and returned directly to the location of the sixth middle school. The so-called opening ceremony is nothing more than a speech by the leaders and an oath by the athletes.

Wang Zhiwen asked softly: "Teacher Wang, what is that Zhang Xiaodi, which one?" ”

Wang Baojiang looked at the No. 1 Middle School in Yichang City, and then said in a low voice: "Look, the one who is talking to the person next to him." ”

Cheng Fei looked up and saw that the person was talking to the player next to him just now, laughing as he spoke, and the people next to him also laughed. Probably the man was joking. The leader who was speaking didn't know it, but the host next to him saw it clearly and glared at them sternly.

He is Zhang Xiaodi.

Zhang Xiaodi didn't care, and made a grimace when the host looked away. As soon as he turned his head, he found that the eyes of the sixth middle school students all fell on him, and he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. Cheng Fei looked away and didn't look at it anymore.

Time passed slowly in the boring ceremony, and at the end, the students sent off the leaders to the stage with heartfelt warm applause. The host announced the time, place and match of the day. The venue for this regional selection competition is mainly several schools in Yichang City. It's unfair that the teams in Yichang (including Gezhouba No. 6 Middle School) have home advantage, while teams from other regions have to play back-to-back away games.

The first battle was Gezhouba No. 6 Middle School facing Zigui No. 1 Middle School from afar in the school's basketball hall.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the game officially began.

Since this was the opening match of the national league regional trials, the teachers of the sixth middle school were very accommodating to give the students an early dismissal. I saw students of all grades rushing to the second floor of the gymnasium. After all, the space on the second floor is limited and cannot accommodate many people at all, so most of the students are blocked out of the 'door' and are extremely disappointed.

Cheng Fei and his entourage were dumbfounded when they saw so many people crowded at the 'door' of the gymnasium.

Wang Baojiang, Tian Shengyong and other physical education teachers hurriedly pushed away the crowd, and at the same time shouted loudly: "Let go, let our team in, don't block all here!" Those who can't go up will go back to the classroom! ”

Cheng Fei followed Wang Baojiang and walked upstairs. He heard the sound of dribbling inside, and it turned out that Zigui No. 1 Middle School came over very early and borrowed the basketball hall of No. 6 Middle School for warm-up training. In order to warm up the brother school team that finally came to the competition, Cheng Fei and the others could only stay on the court at the entrance of the school's 'gate'.

As soon as he ascended to the second floor, Cheng Fei, who was already mentally prepared, was still taken aback. I have never seen so many people crowded here, three layers inside and three layers outside, a piece of black pressing, and some people even stood in the venue!

Seeing the Ranger appear, the students of the sixth middle school immediately shouted in a tsunami: "Come on the sixth middle school!" Come on six! ”

Hearing the shout that almost overturned the roof, Cheng Fei and his brothers suddenly boiled with enthusiasm, and they all bit their lips tightly, enjoying the treatment of the stars holding the moon. On the other side, a group of people in sky-blue 'colored' jerseys all turned their heads and looked at them when they heard such a movement.

This is Zigui No. 1 Middle School, twelve players are together.

The referee, who was sitting in the referee's seat, looked at his watch, stood up, and blew a long whistle. This is a signal for both sides to go off the bench, go to the main force, and get ready to start the game. Once again, there was a tsunami in the stadium, and thunderous applause!

Zhang Pingya said with a smile: "I don't know you very well, let Mr. Wang command the first game, I'll take a look and learn!" ”

Wang Baojiang shirked a few times, and saw that Zhang Pingya was indeed telling the truth, so he arranged the starting lineup without giving in: point guard Wang Zhiwen, point guard Yang Cong, small forward Liu Junfeng, big forward Zhang Yulai, center Deng Liang. He put Cheng Fei on the bench because he didn't want to show his secret weapon at the beginning.

Before the real battle begins, the less the enemy knows about himself, the better.

Wang Baojiang's intention is that the attack power of the rangers has been curbed by Director Zhang, and he will discharge a full attack lineup at the beginning of today, so that these children can let go and strive to give the other party a dismount at the beginning. It's best to break the other party's confidence.

A whistle blows, and the game begins.

Deng Liang, who is 1.82 meters tall, has amazing jumping power, but he is too eager to grab the ball, and when the referee throws the ball, he jumps high, and the result is still a finger away from the basketball!

In the exclamation, Deng Liang watched as the opponent's center, Peng Zhigao, who was 1.87 meters tall, slapped the basketball away. Liu Yansen, the starting point guard of Zigui Yizhong Middle School and a height of 1.75 meters, took the ball. Xiaoqian Tan Fulin, Daqian Lei Changzheng and quarterback Zheng Yong ran to the frontcourt, and their height was not much different from the opposing rangers.

The first round officially began.

Liu Yansen dribbled to the front court and encountered Wang Zhiwen's defense, he tried to change hands to break through, but Wang Zhiwen didn't eat this set at all, his feet moved quickly, and blocked Liu Yansen's breakthrough route several times in a row.

Liu Yansen secretly shouted that it was not good, the opposing guy's defensive ability was so strong, and the game was difficult to play.

He guarded the ball near the three-point line and passed to Zheng Yong, who ran back. As soon as Zheng Yong received the ball, he didn't think about it, he directly bowed his body, and he was about to break through with the dribble! He wanted to take advantage of this sudden attack to get rid of the opposing Yang Cong in an instant!

It's a pity that Zheng Yong miscalculated. He didn't know that the guy on the opposite side wearing the No. 5 orange and red 'color' jersey was a first-class single defense player, and Yang Cong's footsteps and reactions were excellent. As soon as Zheng Yong took a step, he felt that something was wrong.

Yang Cong firmly stood on Zheng Yong's breakthrough route, and after blocking it, he stretched out his left hand like lightning!

Zheng Yong's offensive frustrated, and when he was about to change the rhythm of the dribble, the ball in his hand was slapped out with a "snap"!

He subconsciously looked back and wanted to chase, and the second "unexpected" appeared!

Yang Cong's unparalleled explosiveness, his whole body was like a cannonball, and he 'shot' out of the ground long before Zheng Yong reached out to save the ball. Zheng Yong only felt that the figure flickered, and Yang Cong had already rushed forward like a lightning speed!

"Okay-" In the sound of the mountain and the tsunami, Yang Cong took the lead, and there was no end in sight!

"What a speed!" Not to mention Zheng Yong, even the point guard Liu Yansen, who reacted and caught up, couldn't help but be amazed.

What's even more terrifying is that Deng Liang, the center of the sixth middle school, actually grabbed the front of Liu Yansen!

As soon as Yang Cong entered the three-point line, two big straddles, the person had already taken off and flew up, holding the ball with his right arm, and sending it straight to the basket!

His posture is like an overlord bow that has been pulled out, and he is about to dunk with a bang! But at this moment, another figure spread its wings like a big peng, flying in the air, and grabbed the basketball in Yang Cong's hand with both hands!

In the midst of the exclamations of the audience, Yang Cong turned his head and found that it was Deng Liang!

Deng Liang was not standing in *** position at all, as soon as he found that Yang Cong broke the ball, he rushed from the midfield in a straight line. He thought that Yang Cong would definitely have to cooperate with the air relay. Because they did it in the last game against the varsity. When discussing how to start the game before, everyone laughed and wanted to have a 'fine' air relay to scare the opponent.

Now that the time has come, Deng Liang will certainly not let go of this opportunity.

Grabbing the basketball with three hands, he smashed it down towards the basket under the horrified gaze of the Zigui No. 1 Lieutenant Colonel!