First year student Ran Kobayashi (left photo)
Yokkaichi Maryknoll Academy, centered on the front line of first-year students Ran Kobayashi and Yoshikazu Oya, grabbed many offensive rebounds from the beginning of the game. In the 1st quarter, the points from second chances did not improve, and there were times when Seiwa Gakuen took the lead until the beginning of the 2nd quarter. However, from the middle of the second quarter onward, Yokkaichi Maryknoll Academy controlled the game both offensively and defensively, winning the first game 74-58. Coach Ai Inagaki, who leads the team, looks back on the team as follows.
“(Seiwa Gakuen) is a team with a very good offense, so it was a little difficult to adjust to that, so we talked about using offensive rebounds to win the game.”
“High School Basketball Winter Cup 2025” Broadcast/Distribution Information
Kobayashi, who played under Coach Inagaki during his junior high school days, used his physical strength as a first-year player to take the initiative in the inside offense and defense. In his first Winter Cup, he contributed to the victory by achieving a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds. Looking back on the match, Kobayashi said, “As it was my first match, things didn’t go well and I didn’t get any shots, but I persevered until the end and grabbed the rebound.I think I was able to do what I did.”
Oya recorded 5 rebounds in 13 minutes 17 seconds, starters Mao Kawaguchi and Chihiro Ito also recorded 9 rebounds, and Yokkaichi Maryknoll Gakuin controlled the rebounding with a 54-41 victory. In particular, he grabbed 22 offensive rebounds, proving that he was physically dominant.
It was of great significance to Yokkaichi Maryknoll Academy, as the defense time became longer as the game progressed, and it exhausted Seiwa Academy’s physical strength. As Seiwa Gakuen coach Hiroshi Ono commented after the game, “I didn’t expect him to get hit this hard on the inside,” physicality and the battle for rebounds were the biggest factors that decided the match.
In last year’s Winter Cup, Yokkaichi Maryknoll Academy was defeated by Osaka Kunuei Girls’ Academy 69-104 in the first match. What I realized in this match was the need to strengthen my physical strength. Coach Inagaki feels satisfied that they were able to gain a physical advantage and win.
Up to 19 full-width characters can be entered.Maximum of 11 full-width characters
Up to 19 full-width characters can be entered.Maximum of 22 full-width characters
Up to 19 full-width characters can be entered.Maximum of 33 full-width characters
Up to 19 full-width characters can be entered.Up to 19 full-width characters can be entered.
“I was baptized by Kaoru-san last year, so after that we talked about whether we really wanted to go for the national championship.I’ve been working on it ever since.I realized that my physical strength was something I was lacking, so I strengthened it.”
Their opponent in the second round is Seikajo, whose physical strength is Akindele Taiwo Idayat, who is said to be the No. 1 player in the high school women’s basketball world. Honestly, it would be difficult to stop Taiwo, even on a team with international students. However, Yokkaichi Maryknoll Academy has no choice but to continue fighting aggressively throughout the match without giving up despite the failure.
Kobayashi, who had the experience of matching up with an international student from Kyoto Seika Gakuen in the Jr. Winter Cup in junior high school, commented on the Seika women’s match, “People around her say she can’t stop her at all, but I want to stop her.That’s why I’m really looking forward to it.” Together with his classmate Oya, he takes on a big challenge on Christmas Eve.
