The game began with Shohoku immediately spreading out. Sakuragi Hanamichi and Mitsui Hisashi flanked the sides, while Rukawa Kaede cut swiftly down the sideline.
Miyagi Ryota, seeing Shinichi Maki close in, avoided forcing a drive. Instead, he passed to Mitsui beyond the three-point line. Mitsui faked a shot, drawing the defense, and instantly fed Takenori Akagi cutting into the paint.
Akagi endured Takasago Kazuma's charge, then flicked a wrist, passing to Rukawa Kaede in open space. Kiyota Nobunaga lunged from behind, but Rukawa soared, slamming the ball into the hoop.
Clang… Swish.
Shohoku scored first. Two consecutive baskets, and suddenly they led 5-0.
Even Kainan was momentarily dazed.
In the stands, Sendoh's brow twitched. "Shohoku's really motivated today."
Ryoji Ikegami nodded. "That last offense… flawless. Even we might not have defended it!"
Kainan countered. Shinichi Maki dribbled steadily upcourt, eyes sharp, reading Shohoku's defense. Miyagi Ryota pressed him, anticipating a pass. Maki feigned, then accelerated. Just as Miyagi lunged, Maki flicked the ball toward Kiyota Nobunaga—only for Sakuragi Hanamichi to appear out of nowhere, intercepting it.
The gym erupted. A beginner intercepting a genius? Unbelievable. Even Ryonan's players were stunned. Only Akashi calmly observed; Sakuragi was an unpredictable factor—unstable, yes, but capable of brilliance.
Sakuragi, caught in his own excitement, passed the ball high to Mitsui Hisashi. Mitsui planted for a three-pointer. Swish. Shohoku led 5-0.
For the next five minutes, Shohoku surged forward. Rebounds, steals, and rapid drives created a wave of scoring: Rukawa, Mitsui, and Akagi all contributed. Kainan struggled to keep pace, turning over passes, faltering under Shohoku's relentless attack.
Score: 16-7 Shohoku.
Even Shinichi Maki frowned. Kainan had underestimated Shohoku's speed and adaptability.
Possession returned to Kainan. Maki orchestrated carefully: penetrating drives, precise passes, Jin Soichiro's deadly three-pointers, and Takasago's under-basket finishes. Slowly, Kainan narrowed the gap.
Takenori Akagi shouted to steady his team: "Focus! Don't panic—box out!"
By halftime, the scoreboard read 32-32. Evenly matched on paper, yet Kainan's composure suggested Shohoku was gradually being suppressed.
Akashi, watching from the stands, spoke softly: "Kainan is stronger overall, but Shohoku's potential is immense. The key is pushing them to their limits… only then will their true strength emerge."
Ryonan's players exchanged glances. Few understood his meaning.
The second half began. Shohoku continued their first-half rhythm. Rukawa scored consecutive layups. Akagi held his ground under the basket.
But Maki adapted, disrupting passes, breaking through defenses, and even completing a 2+1 play after intercepting Miyagi's pass. Kainan regained the lead.
Coach Takato made a tactical substitution: Miyamasu Yoshinori, just 160cm, came in specifically to guard Sakuragi Hanamichi. Sakuragi laughed at first—how could such a short player defend him? But Miyamasu's agility and relentless interference soon forced multiple turnovers. Shohoku's morale dipped; Kainan's lead widened to 8 points.
Then, Rukawa Kaede erupted. Speed, precision, daring drives, and a difficult fadeaway three-pointer reduced the deficit to 2 points. Shohoku had regained their rhythm.
The game became a brutal back-and-forth. Each team matched the other point for point. Mitsui still hit crucial three-pointers; Sakuragi grabbed key rebounds; Maki executed powerful dunks, even over Sakuragi.
With one minute left, Kainan led 67-65. Shohoku launched a final offensive. Miyagi drove, passed to Akagi, who faked and dished to Sakuragi. Sakuragi jumped to dunk—but at the last moment passed underhand to Mitsui, who calmly drained a three-pointer.
Score: Kainan 67 – Shohoku 68. Shohoku led by 1 with less than 30 seconds remaining.
Kainan's final attack: Shinichi Maki held the ball, dribbled past half-court, and drove. Miyagi tried to block, Akagi rushed to help—but Maki, experienced and calculating, leaned into Akagi while shooting.
Swish… Basket counts, foul called. Free throw made.
Kainan 70-68 Shohoku.
Less than ten seconds remained. Miyagi passed to Rukawa, Rukawa to Sakuragi—but Sakuragi's shot bounced off. Rebound chaos ensued.
Sakuragi, in desperation, threw the ball to… Takasago Kazuma.
The gym froze. Silence fell. Everyone stared. Even Takasago blinked in disbelief. Sakuragi had mistakenly passed to an opponent, thinking he was giving the ball to Akagi.
Shinichi Maki's pupils constricted. Shohoku's resilience was remarkable—but this… absurd twist sealed the outcome.
Beep… The final whistle.
Final Score: Kainan 78 – Shohoku 76.
Kainan narrowly survived by 2 points, barely maintaining their dominance over a Shohoku that had pushed them to the edge.