Kim Seung-ki (Goyang Sono) and Kim Sang-sik, the former and current managers of the Anyang Jeonggwanjang, are completely different coaches. Kim prefers to use unconventional tactics, while Sang-sik tries to keep things as stable as possible. In terms of coaching style, Kim tends to persuade his players to fit in, while Kim pushes them hard to match his colors.
Despite these completely opposite styles, there is one thing they have in common besides their coaching experience. In addition to their coaching backgrounds, there is one thing they have in common: a preference for ‘matchup hunting,’ a strategy that focuses on players on the opposing team who have a matchup advantage. Last season, Kim Sang-sik used matchup hunting to target the likes of Ulsan Hyundai Mobis’ Ronjay Avarientos (Shinshu), Seoul Samsung’s Kim Si-rae, and Daegu KOGAS’ Sam Joseph Belangel and Lee Won-dae.
On July 7, Chung’s team defeated title favorite Busan KCC 74-72 at home in Anyang in the 2023-2024 Kwanjang Pro Basketball League. Coach Kim Sang-sik’s ‘matchup hunting’ strategy paid off. He targeted KCC’s Lee Ho-hyun and Lee Kun-hwi. Both are weak defenders.
Lee’s matchup is Park Ji-hoon (15 points, 4 assists), who intentionally plays with the ball a lot. Park, who had previously attempted 10.4 shots per game, was above average in the third quarter with 11 shots, totaling 13. Most of them were threes. Duban Maxwell’s basket with 46 seconds left to tie the game at 69-69 was set up by a pick-and-roll play with Park that shook Lee’s defense. Park Ji-hoon’s game-winning three-pointer with 14 seconds left in regulation also came after a late KCC defensive rotation in front of Lee Ho-hyun’s defense. 보스토토 도메인
Lens Abando (16 points, 7 rebounds) also targeted Lee as an offensive option. He didn’t hesitate to attack when Lee was guarded, using his height and jumping advantage to attack the paint, and when Jung was guarded, he used his speed on the perimeter to score at a high rate (67%).
“It was an intentional offense aimed at Lee Ho-hyun and Lee Geun-hwi,” said Chung’s coach Kim Sang-sik. We prepared to change the offense depending on whether Lee Ho-hyun and Lee Geun-hwi were going down or up when they were caught in screens. (Park) Ji-hoon has a strong tendency to solve things on his own, so there were some situations where he made mistakes, but he was active. I think the two coaches (Choi Seung-tae and Cho Sung-min) analyzed the details and made a good effect. Both Abando and Ji Hoon did a good job, even though it was physically difficult for them.”
The matchup hunt paid off, as Jung Kwan-jang was able to capitalize on KCC’s weaknesses and get their first win of the season at home.