Third person's point view

The game starts. Akagi shoves the ball to Miyagi. Miyagi saw Rukawa started to run, he passes the ball. Rukawa jumps to shoot the ball but got block by Maki, Rukawa didn't force the shot. He passes the ball to his back to give it to Mitsui but got stolen by Soichiro. Nobunaga shouts at his sempai to pass him the ball. He is now in the middle of the court. Sakuragi is on his tail, Sakuragi jumps and got the ball in midair. But Sakuragi got called travelling.

Kainan has the ball. Shohoku is now using man-to-man defense. Number 5 of Kainan has the ball, he was about to shoot the ball but Akagi slams the ball in the floor. Akagi yelled for a fast break. Miyagi passes the ball to Mitsui, Kainan's number 8 jumps to block his 3-pointer but Mitsui run pass him ang do a commoner shot but Maki slams the ball at the board of the ring. Soichiro has the ball, Rukawa is guarding him. Soichiro passes the ball unexpectedly to Nobunaga – guarded by Sakuragi. Score: 0-6 to Kainan. Mitsui has the ball he passes it to Akagi who first scored in their team.

The final 4 competition the first game, Shohoku's shown surprising stubbornness, Akagi's energetic slam dunk matches champion Kainan's attacks. Score 16-20 to Kainan, the difference in scores hasn't been greater than 4. Right now, is the first half's 10 minutes.

Sakuragi got the rebound he passes to Miyagi and back to him again. Maki shove the ball in Sakuragi's hand while dribbling. Sakuragi caught the ball before getting out, Miyagi caught the ball, Sakuragi landed at their coach and immediately run inside the court.

Sakuragi has the ball again.

"I'll take number 10!" Maki declared.

Sakuragi stood frozen and faced Maki. "You... What grade are you? Are you a high school student?"

"Idiot!" Nobunaga yelled at Sakuragi.

"Wild monkey! You got someone who already graduated to play for you?! That's unfair!" Sakuragi yelled back.

"Is there something wrong with your head?! Maki-senpai's only in the third year! 17 years old!"

"What?! 17?!" Sakuragi looks back to Maki. "He's 17?! Who're you trying to kid?!"

The referee blows his whistle. "Both sides! No talking during game! This time, it's just a warning! If it happens again, it'll be an 'Obstruction Foul' and you won't be able to play! Especially both sides' #10! Behave yourselves!"

"That idiot will never change." Rukawa murmured.

"Akagi looks much older than me." Maki spoke.

Everyone is in shock about what Maki just said.

Sakuragi looks at Akagi over his shoulder. "Now that you say that..."

The game is back on track, Sakuragi was about to shoot but got blocked by Maki. Kainan has the ball Soichiro scores. Current score is 18-24 to Kainan. Miyagi has the ball he passes it to Sakuragi. Both number 10 are face-to-face. Nobunaga fall for Sakuragi's fake shot and he scored, making everyone look shock.

"Kainan time out!" 20-24 to Kainan.

While Shohoku is cheering, Kainan is pissed. Kainan's coach sub-out Soichiro, Miyawasu will replace him and will be guarding Sakuragi.

Miyawasu Yoshinori, Kainan University High School 3rd year. 160cm, 42kg, no previous game experience, he looks very weak. Kainan University High School's basketball practices are very tough. Every spring many, Junior High Ace Players try to join this prestigious team. Then half of the team quit within 1 week. After 1 month, half of the remaining members quit. In the end only about 20% of the new members remain after a year. When he joined, he didn't know how to play basketball at all. Yet he still managed to remain. That's why other players respect him greatly.

Time-out over.

Shohoku is in shock when Kainan sub-out Soichiro and sub-in by a total opposite of him. Miyagi easily steals the ball from him. Miyagi come face-to-face with Maki. Kainan is now in defense.

"Damn Kainan! They send a pawn to guard me, Tensai!" Sakuragi got frustrated. "Even Shoyo's four eyes and Ryonan's monkey king is scared of the rebound king Sakuragi!"

"Hn! Shut up! Show me what you got!" Miyawasu said to Sakuragi.

"You said it, Yoshinori-senpai! Keep it up!" Nobunaga commented.

"If you think you can get points over me, then just try it!" Miyawasu challenged.

Sakuragi has the ball he jumps to shoot but got distracted because Miyawasu didn't do anything on defense causing Sakuragi's shot to hit the board. Kainan's number 9 was about to get the ball but Sakuragi stole it and another fail shot.

By the bleachers, Mito understands why Kainan let Miyawasu to guard Sakuragi.

"Hanamichi's always been really competitive... If he finds someone stronger than him, he somehow uses all his hidden potential to a strong opponent... Take Hanagata and monkey king... Hanamichi used unbelievable strength to defeat them." Mito explained.

"It was same when he first challenged my brother." Haruko added.

Throughout the game, Sakuragi keeps missing his shot. Shohoku's falling into a hard battle, score 24-34 to Kainan. Miyagi has the ball but got stolen, Kainan has the ball Miyawasu scored a 3-pointer, leaving Shohoku and the audience in shock.

Miyawasu looks at Sakuragi confidently. "Just try me Sakuragi!"

Sakuragi felt alarmed and looks at his captain for help. "Gori! Help! Give me some help! If we don't think of something now, they'll defeat us in one blow!"

Akagi approached him and swing his arm around Sakuragi's shoulder. "Teaching you how to shoot in this game is impossible. Don't shot anymore. If you're under the backboard, just slam dunk."

After Akagi gives his advice to Sakuragi, Shohoku has the ball, the ball was passed to Sakuragi. As he was about to dunk the ball, Maki managed to shove the ball out of Sakuragi's hand in mid-air causing the referee to call a foul for Maki resulting for Sakuragi to have a foul shot.

As the free throw was about to commence Akagi told Sakuragi how to do a simple free throw. Sakuragi missed his free throw. Kainan has the ball, Miyawasu shoots another 3-pointer. Score 24-39 to Kainan. Shohoku asked for a time-out. Sakuragi is upset about what Anzai-sensei's decision to sub him out.

After the time-out, players go inside the court. Nobunaga is guarding Rukawa. Rukawa has the ball, Nobunaga is trying hard to shove the ball out of Rukawa's hand, once he did, he got called for defensive foul. Kogure has the ball he passes it to Rukawa he caught Nobunaga off guard and shoots the ball, he scored. Current score 26-39 to Kainan. Kainan shoot the ball but didn't go in, Akagi got the ball he passes the ball to Rukawa. Shohoku turns the game into fast break. As Rukawa jumps to shoot, Nobunaga manage to tap the ball a little to change the direction of the ball, Akagi got the rebound. As the other jumps with him landed, one of the players landed in Akagi's foot but still manage to pass the ball to Rukawa. As Rukawa scored, Akagi collapse due to the pain in his foot.

"Referee time-out!"

Shohoku players assist Akagi to their bench. Their manages were to assist their captain, they saw Akagi's foot swollen.

"Y/n-chan stay here, I'll go with Akagi-senpai." Ayako told her kohai. Y/n nodded.

With Akagi leaving the court, this opens an opportunity for Kainan to beat Shohoku easily. As Sakuragi assist Akagi on their way to Shohoku locker with Ayako.

Akagi refuses to go to the infirmary he asked Ayako to bandage his foot as tight as possible. Before Sakuragi could say a word, Ayako instructed him to leave and get back to the court, without another word he compiled. Akagi didn't want to bring the team down because it took a lot of effort to get this opportunity, that's why he is asking Ayako just to bandage his foot.

Unknown to the two, Sakuragi is listening to them.

Back to the court.

Anzai-sensei called Sakuragi and Rukawa. "Right now, without Akagi. Have to rely on you two in the center position."

Anzai-sensei grab the two boys' wrist and let them hold hands.

"YAHHH! My hand has been polluted!" Sakuragi yelled.

Rukawa on the other hand, grab the towel Y/n's holding.

"Okay. You all go now." Anzai-sensei casually said as he makes his way to his seat.

The game started again – Kainan has the ball – their planning to attack at Shohoku's center – Akagi's previews position. Nobunaga has the ball as he passes the ball to their number six, Sakuragi manage to steal the ball. Nobunaga is pissed.

"Fast break! Come on!" Sakuragi yelled. He passes the ball to Kogure.

As Kogure is about to shoot, Nobunaga blocks him. Unfortunately for him, Rukawa is at the back got the ball and scored. Shohoku is now back to defense, score 30-39 Kainan.

Sakuragi and Rukawa are now guarding the center. Sakuragi falls for Kainan's number five, he passes Sakuragi and shoot the ball but failed as Rukawa blocks him. Maki got the rebound, Sakuragi jumps as Maki passes the ball to their number five. Rukawa mange to tap the ball out of his hand but he immediately got the ball back. Unfortunately for him. Miyagi is in his back, manage to tap the ball out of his hand. Fortunately for Kainan, Nobunaga caught the ball. As Nobunaga shoots Sakuragi block his shot.

The people by the bleaches cheer for Sakuragi's impressive blocks and defense. Nobunaga gets more frustrated because all of his shots always stopped by Sakuragi. Only two minutes left in the first half, score 34-45 to Kainan. Rukawa has the ball and scored making 36-45 to Kainan. Shohoku keeps passing the ball to Rukawa and he did not fail to score, making 40-45 to Kainan. Rukawa's fangirls cheers the loudest saying their chant: 'Rukawa! Rukawa! L-O-V-E Rukawa!'

At the bleaches, Rukawa's middle school basketball club is watching.

"He really is incredible." The kohai said. He turns to his sempai. "Senpai, was that person really a student at our school last year?"

"Of course!" The senpai said. "Last year he was wearing our same uniform, playing with us! But like you just saw, his kind of silent extraordinary skill was enough to attract all of us!"

"Really... Too great that I made it into Tomigaoka to study!" The kohai said.

"Rukawa senpai! Go for it!"

"Only down by five!"

"Go for it!"

Rukawa's kohai from Tomigaoka Middle School cheers. Rukawa looks over his shoulder and saw them.

Rukawa has the ball, Nobunaga is still guarding him. Rukawa manage to shook off Nobunaga and scored again, making the score 42-47 to Kainan.

Then, unexpected event happened. Rukawa is standing by the 3-poniter line he releases the ball, it went in. Making the everyone shout in shock and/or cheer.

Y/n stood up from her seat and shot her arms up and cheered. "Kaede-kun! You're the best!"

"Kainan time-out!"

Players made their way to their respective team.

Y/n jumps into Rukawa. "Ahh! Kaede-kun you're really amazing!"

She let go of him and gave him his towel. "Thanks." Retuning Y/n wide grin with a small smile.

Match resume. Score 45-47 to Kainan.

Ryonan just arrived at the bleachers to watch Shohoku vs Kainan game. They just finished their game they won, some of the Shoyo players also came. Only 39 seconds left in the first half.

Maki got score immediately as the game started again, score 45-49 to Kainan, only 20 second left. Kainan tighten their defense. Sakuragi has the ball he can't move because three players of Kainan is guarding him.

Ten second backcourt rule: after a team gets the ball, it has to advance to the front court within 10 seconds. The referee started counting, Rukawa starts running towards Sakuragi to get the ball.

"Give it here! Idiot!" Rukawa said.

"Rukawa!" Sakuragi said as he passes the ball to him.

Rukawa was about to shoot, Maki was ready to block him. But Rukawa avoided Maki's block and he scores, 47-49 to Kainan. With that, Kainan's coach is starting to get furious. Kainan's number 10 has the ball, Rukawa easily steal it and he scored making the score tied. The first half ended.

The players make their way out of the court. They saw Akagi and Ayako making their way to their bench.

"Fought to a tie?!" Ayako asked.

"Yeah, Kaede-kun is really amazing! He pulled off a lot of three-pointers." Y/n said to her senpai.

"Akagi! Can you play in the next half?" Mitsui asked.

"Don't worry!" Akagi answered.

Shohoku is exiting and made their way to their locker room.

Start of the second half

"Listen up people... I've already said this many, many times... But I've never had a day without a doubt, such as today! We are strong!" Akagi spoke.

Jump ball starts. Sakuragi steps up for him to do the jump ball in substitute to Akagi – who's still struggling to walk properly.

"Player change! Jump ball player! Change to me!" Sakuragi announced.

Everyone is shocked on what Sakuragi said.

"This job is very difficult to deal with for the big gorilla who missed the last half. Things like this just leave 'em in the hands tensai Sakuragi!" Sakuragi continues.

At the bench.

"Ayako-chan." Anzai-sensei called Ayako. "Akagi-kun's foot... If you think Akagi-kun's foot cannot handle anymore, then I will immediately take him out."

Back to the court.

The ball is released, Sakuragi hit the ball where no one will receive the it.

"He really is stupid! Hitting the ball where nobody is." Rukawa murmured as he chases the ball.

Rukawa caught the ball, he attempts to shoot but got blocked by Kainan's number 10. Unexpected, Akagi caught the rebound and scores. The cowed gone wild.

Finally, Shohoku is the lead by two points.

"Big gorilla, does your foot really not hurt?" Sakuragi asked.

Akagi faced him. "Doesn't... Hurt..." Akagi said while trying his best to cover up his pain. "Okay! There's still twenty minutes! For victory, you all have to play down to your very last breath!"

"Yes!"

Shohoku is on defense, Kainan's number 9 tries to make a shot but the ball got shoved by Akagi. Maki – number 4 of Kainan and the captain – has the ball.

"Bring it on Maki!" Akagi challenged.

"I will do my best to defeat you!" Maki replied.

Maki and Miyagi are face-to-face. Miyagi is already extremely tired, because of the first half for twenty minutes, he was praised as a hero, closely marking Maki – who is taller by 16cm. In other words, he had the advantage in the first half. Therefore, at the end of the first half, he had a worry... Has Maki shown his true strength?

Maki got passed Miyagi and jumps to shoot the ball followed by Akagi to block his shot. Akagi got called for a foul, a free throw. 51-52 to Kainan. Anzai-sensei is now seeing that Akagi is struggling with his injured foot.

Rukawa has the ball, he is now face-to-face with Number 10 of Kainan. Rukawa pass the ball to Akagi – who's under the basket – he shoots the ball and scored, Shohoku is now on lead again with 53-52.

Maki now has the ball. As Maki was about to shoot, Sakuragi and Akagi jumps and blocks the ball, Sakuragi shoves Maki's hand making the ball toss higher in the air, the ball went in the basket making the referee to shout that the basket counts.

Maki makes another successful free throw, making 53-55 to Kainan. As the game continues, Shohoku players are starting to get tired. Miyagi and Mitsui are infront of Maki to stop him but Maki easily got pass them, he is now facing Rukawa and Sakuragi under the basket. Maki suddenly pass the ball to Jin – number 6 of kainan – his 3-pointer went in making 59-66 to Kainan.

Mitsui attempt to do a 3-pointer but failed. Maki now has the ball on his left is Jin. Maki passes the ball to Jin and he successfully scored making 63-73 to Kainan with ten minutes left, Shohoku calls of a time out.

"We cannot continue to lose any further, we have to push forward." Anzai-sensei said while looking at his tired players. "Let's begin, to decide the outcome of this game."

Anzai-sensei discuss their new play. Sensei said that Kainan's attack are based on Maki's passing and followed them by shooting. The four players – Rukawa, Mitsui, Miyagi, and Akagi – will circle around into a small defensive area, as Maki breaks in the four players will trap him in the middle making him not be able to move.

Back into the game, Shohoku players did what their sensei told them, Sakuragi is guarding Jin, Sakuragi suddenly got distracted making Jin broke free. As Jin was about to shoot, Sakuragi shoves the ball out of his hand.

Fast break. Sakuragi now has the ball and getting closer to the other basket. Sakuragi failed to do a commoner's shot by tossing the ball to high. Jin saw the opportunity to steal the ball but Akagi got the ball first in mid-air, he dunked the ball. 65-73 to Kainan.

Sakuragi has the ball, his under the basket with Maki defending. Sakuragi jumps high to do his favorite shooting technique: The Slam Dunk. Before he could get near the basket, Maki kick Sakuragi right at his stomach in mid-air. Making Maki called for intentional foul. Sakuragi jumps up and is about to attack Maki, luckily got held back by Mitsui. With the intentional foul, Sakuragi is going to do a free throw. 70-78 to Kainan.

According to Kainan's coach – Takato Riki – in the past the NBA had a player who used this type of form to shoot free throws. Sakuragi releases the ball, the ball rotates around the rim and still manage to go in. 72-78 to Kainan with 5 minutes left. Mitsui has the ball, he failed to shoot his 3-pointer again the ball hit the rim. Sakuragi jumps to get the ball, he got the ball and passes it to Miyagi, he shoots, he scored. 74-78 to Kainan with 4 minutes and 46 seconds time left.

Kainan let Miyawasu – number 15 – inside the court once again. Anzai-sensei stands from his seat and pointed at Miyagi, Shohoku made their defense tighter. Maki has the ball, three players of Shohoku blocks Maki as he attempts to shoot the ball. Unfortunately for Shohoku, Maki passes the ball to Nobunaga – number 10 – he was about to put the ball but got blocked by Akagi making him receive a foul.

Nobunaga is now doing his free throw, he missed both of his free throws. Sakuragi got the ball he passes it to Mitsui but Miyawasu stole the ball before Mitsui got a chance to hold it. Miyawasu passes the ball to Maki, he got pass Rukawa – who was under the basket – and he scored. 74-80 to Kainan.