HC Oketani: “We weren’t able to lead and react”
In the second round of the final round of the 101st Emperor’s Cup All-Japan Basketball Championship, the defending champions Ryukyu Golden Kings were passive against the energetic offensive and defensive plays of B2 Yokohama Excellence, narrowly winning 73-66.
Ryukyu’s head coach Oketani Dai said, “It was a struggle, or rather, it was the worst. They were doing things that were completely different from scouting, so we didn’t really understand the fundamentals of how to adjust.” As Ryukyu’s head coach Oketani Dai said, “They were doing something completely different from scouting, so we didn’t really understand the fundamentals of how to adjust.” They had a tough time right from the start due to the press that they started in front of Yokohama EX, and the irregular zone press, “The No. 5 position was one-on-one, and the rest were making switches.” By getting caught in the opponent’s technique, he made a series of mistakes from the get-go, and committed 23 turnovers throughout the match.
Even though Ryukyu had a chance to take the lead, they made a mistake and lost their rhythm, allowing Yokohama EX to catch up. With two and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, things got tough with a lead of only three points, but in the end, Ryuichi Kishimoto showed off his typical Senryo actor style. With a minute and a half remaining, Kishimoto won the game thanks to his decisiveness, as he got a steal from Hayao Arakawa that led to a score, got a steal in the next offense, and then sank a 3-point shot.
In this game, Benjamin Lawson was the only foreign national on the bench for Yokohama EX, and there were no naturalized players. The struggle of Yokohama EX, who struggled until the end against Ryukyu despite a lack of pieces, was spectacular. However, from Ryukyu’s perspective, no matter how unexpected the opponent was, it cannot be denied that the response was extremely sloppy.
However, head coach Oketani said, “We weren’t able to lead and react while watching the opponent, but we were still able to respond by communicating well with Ryuichi, saying, “How should we play?” I think it’s important that we were able to do this in a one-shot match like the Emperor’s Cup.”The team was able to work together with the mainstays of the team and make minimal adjustments during the game, which was a rewarding experience.
“There are some things you have to wake up to.”
Jack Cooley, along with Kishimoto, was the one who did what needed to be done, even though the entire team was feeling uneasy. The inside player, who played 24 minutes and 9 seconds and had 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks, looks back on the game as follows.
“First of all, I really respect Yokohama EX. This is the Emperor’s Cup (a one-shot game where different categories compete), and every team fights hard and gives off a lot of energy. And whether we win by 30 points or by 1 point, the result is the same: victory. I’m excited to go back to the hotel, have a good meal, get some sleep, and get ready for tomorrow’s game.”
“The way the game played out was a little frustrating, and we lacked execution. However, everything was different this time. The warm-up environment before the game was different, and we weren’t able to get into the gym early and get ready, so a lot of things affected us. We’ll have to adapt to these changes tomorrow.”
Of course, Cooley does not think that “everything will be fine if we win,” but he is cautious, saying, “There are some things we need to wake up to after today’s match.” The team they will face in the top eight, scheduled for tip-off at 8pm today, is Seahorse Mikawa. The two teams played against each other in the B League regular season on January 3rd and 4th, with one win and one loss. Unlike Yokohama EX, they will be opponents who know each other inside and out.
Cooley expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We know how Mikawa-san will play and what we have to do to win.If we do our best in tomorrow’s game, I think we have a great chance of winning.”
Regulations for the Emperor’s Cup are different from those for the B League, with only two foreign nationals on the court. When Mikawa’s leading scorer, Davante Gardner, is on the field, Cooley is often seen marking the team, and Cooley himself understands that containing Gardner is the key.
As an individual, I strive to do my best, and I also trust the cooperation of my colleagues. “My teammates have always supported me. Gardner has great offensive ability, but we have different strategies and I’m just doing my part.”
It will be an intense battle between Cooley and Gardner, two of the league’s best centers, and who will take the advantage will be a key point that will have a big impact on the outcome of the match.
