As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard showed a final score of 89:58.
Shohoku High School defeated Ryonan High School, who fought hard, by 31 points.
The entire stadium erupted in cheers.
Cheers erupted from both the stage and the audience at Shohoku High School, the shouts almost lifting the roof off.
"Champions! We are the champions!"
" Shohoku! National Tournament!"
"The King of Kanagawa!"
The Shohoku team members embraced each other, their faces a mixture of sweat, tears, and boundless joy.
Takenori Akagi roared to the sky, for three years of perseverance, sweat, humiliation, and dreams had finally transformed into the sweetest fruit.
Hisashi Mitsui smiled, but tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.
Ryota Miyagi jumped up and down excitedly, giving each of his teammates a high-five.
Hanamichi Sakuragi was so excited that he was incoherent and ran all over the field.
Kaede Rukawa's clenched fists and slightly gleaming eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.
Koichiro Nango waved a towel on the bench and celebrated with Yasuda, Shiozaki, and others who were equally excited.
The Ryonan players sat exhausted on the sidelines, some with their hands behind their heads, others lying on their backs.
Jun Uozumi his head down, his shoulders trembling slightly.
Akira Sendoh rested his hands on his knees, panting heavily, but a look of relief appeared on his face.
Kiccho Fukuda angrily pounded the floor.
Coach Taoka crossed his arms and silently watched Shohoku celebrate.
His eyes held a complex mix of emotions: regret, relief, and a hint of anticipation for the future.
After a short break and site cleanup, the awards ceremony officially began.
First, the runner-up was awarded an award.
The team that won the runner-up position in the basketball competition of this year's Kanagawa Prefecture High School Sports Tournament is— Kainan Affiliated University High School!
To the accompaniment of a slightly somber yet dignified melody, the entire Kainan team ascended the podium.
Team captain Shinichi Maki accepted the silver trophy and runner-up certificate from the organizing committee officials.
"Next up is the championship award ceremony! Let's give a warm round of applause to the champion of this year's Kanagawa Prefecture High School Sports Meet Basketball Tournament— Shohoku High School!"
As the stirring music began, spotlights shone on the podium.
The Shohoku team members stepped forward one by one, each with a face beaming with excitement and pride.
When Takenori Akagi, as captain, accepted the golden championship trophy symbolizing the highest honor in Kanagawa, the entire Shohoku bench and stands erupted in deafening cheers.
" Shohoku! Shohoku! Shohoku!"
Akagi raised the heavy trophy high, its golden light gleaming under the lights.
After three years, he finally brought the trophy back to Shohoku!
Mitsui, Miyagi, Kogure, and others surrounded Akagi, stroking the trophy with tears in their eyes.
Sakuragi even tried to kiss the trophy, but Miyagi pushed him away with a look of disgust.
Even Kaede Rukawa couldn't resist reaching out and touching the cool glass.
Next came the presentation of individual awards.
The player who won the Kanagawa Prefecture Tournament's Outstanding Player Award this year is...
The sound rang out, and the entire room fell silent.
The spotlight swept over several top contenders: Shinichi Maki, Akira Sendoh, Takenori Akagi, and Kaede Rukawa.
Finally, the beam of light focused on a tall, red figure.
" Shohoku High School, First Year, Number 15— Kawamoto Kazuki!"
"Whoa!!!"
Applause, cheers, and whistles swept through the entire stadium like a tsunami!
This result was both expected and reasonable.
His performance was absolutely stunning.
The spotlight is a bit of an unnecessary gimmick.
If this award were given to anyone else, no one except Kawamoto himself would agree to it.
Kawamoto Kazuki never intentionally pursued this award, but when he received the small but significant MVP trophy and the certificate that read "Best Player" from the official, a slight ripple still stirred in his heart.
This is not only a recognition of his personal abilities, but also a testament to everything he has given on the stage of Shohoku over the past two months.
Next came the announcement of the All-Star five-man lineup.
The players selected for this year's Kanagawa Prefecture Tournament All-Star Team are:
Point Guard: Kainan University Affiliated High School, No. 4, Shinichi Maki!
The reputation of Emperor Maki needs no further explanation; he represents an unshakeable dominance in Kanagawa's defensive line.
Unparalleled physical prowess and a strategic vision that allowed them to control the overall situation were the cornerstones that enabled the Kainan Dynasty to stand strong for so many years.
Although the throne changed hands this year, he remains the monster that strikes fear into the hearts of all his rivals.
Shinichi Maki stepped onto the stage, his expression calm and composed.
Center: Shohoku, No. 4, Takenori Akagi!
He is synonymous with the guardian deity of the Kanagawa Forbidden Zone.
Solid footwork, formidable strength, ever-improving offensive skills, and an unwavering will to win.
From struggling alone to becoming the core of a championship team, he has earned everyone's respect through his hard work and perseverance. This trophy for best center is the best reward for his three years of hard work.
Haruko Akagi in the stands was already in tears.
"Brother—brother finally did it—"
Through her blurry, tear-filled eyes, she looked at her brother's resolute face, where a relieved smile finally blossomed.
She was incredibly proud of her brother.
Tatsuhiko Kiyota crossed his arms, glanced at Akagi on the stage, and pursed his lips, but a hint of undisguised approval flashed in his eyes.
"Hmph, this Akagi —at least he didn't embarrass me."
Small Forward: Shohoku, #11, Kaede Rukawa!
When Kaede Rukawa 'Rukawa Mikoto name was called, the screams from the stands were almost ear-piercing.
He walked onto the stage with a cold expression.
This first-year super rookie left an indelible mark on the county tournament with his unparalleled one-on-one skills, dazzling offensive moves, cold-blooded killer instinct, and terrifying scoring explosiveness.
Haruko Akagi looked in the direction of the voice and her gaze fell on the handsome young man who was walking onto the stage.
He remained the same—aloof and upright, seemingly radiating a distant halo under the spotlight, so dazzling that it was impossible to look away.
Haruko's heart still fluttered slightly.
Those were the stars she gazed at, and the boy who first made her understand what it meant to like someone.
Seeing him receive honors, she was genuinely happy for him.
But strangely, she found herself no longer experiencing the rapid heartbeat or the urge to scream that she used to.
That once ardent, hopeful, and bittersweet unrequited love seems to have been quietly diluted by something clearer.
She watched him accept the certificate, his profile still expressionless, and felt a sense of calm blessing.
"Congratulations, Rukawa -kun."
She said it silently in her heart.
He is finally making progress towards becoming the top high school student in Japan.
Just like he always has, he has only basketball in his eyes and is completely focused on it.
He's good as he is.
Power Forward: Shohoku, Number 10, Hanamichi Sakuragi!
This red-haired boy, who had only been playing basketball for a few months and claimed to be a genius, carved out a bloody path in the fiercely competitive Kanagawa basketball scene with his explosive physical abilities, beast-like instinct for rebounding, astonishing rate of improvement, and inexhaustible passion for the game.
His selection is a victory of talent, a reward for hard work, and an expression of boundless hope for the future.
"What? That red-haired monkey?"
" Hanamichi Sakuragi? He's only been playing basketball for a few months!"
"However—that seems to make sense? Ryonan's Fukuda is strong offensively, but his defense and rebounding are not as good as his, while Kainan's Takasago plays a pure center style."
"Yes, Toru Hanagata of Shoyo is actually very well-rounded, somewhat like a power forward, but Shoyo doesn't have a strong center—"
" Sakuragi's crucial offensive rebounds and putback dunks in the final were truly priceless."
"The organizing committee must be eyeing his potential, right? After all, he's a first-year student; his future is bright!"
Hanamichi Sakuragi was completely dumbfounded. Pointing to himself, he stared blankly at Miyagi beside him. "Ryo, Ryota —are they calling me?"
Miyagi slapped him on the back and laughed loudly, "Of course! It's you, genius! You're in the All-Star team!"
"I'm a genius! I'm a star player! Hahaha!"
Sakuragi reacted instantly, jumped up in ecstasy, and wanted nothing more than to rush down to the stands and hug Haruko, but Akagi pulled him back with a dark face.
Through tears of joy, Haruko's gaze involuntarily drifted toward Sakuragi.
Just a few days ago, what Kawamoto said to her was now echoing in her ears with unparalleled clarity.
If one day, between basketball and you, he could only choose one— Sakuragi would choose you without hesitation.
Give him some time—he will become one of the greatest basketball players in Japan, and even the world.
Looking at Sakuragi's bright smile, free of any gloom, and at his smug yet pure expression after being selected for the All-Star team, a warm feeling quietly rose in Haruko's heart.
She seems to be----
I'm starting to understand what Kawamoto meant.
The four members of Sakuragi Gang jumped and danced, while Yohei Mito's eyes were filled with pure joy.
Takamiya Nozomi yelled at the Nozomi Takamiya, " Hanamichi! You really did it! Best lineup! Hahaha!"
Okusu and Noma also excitedly high-fived.
They watched Sakuragi go from a complete novice who knew nothing about basketball to standing on one of Kanagawa's highest podiums.
I am honored to have this friendship.
Shooting Guard: Shohoku, #15, Kawamoto Kazuki!
When Kawamoto's name was called again, the cheers reached a new height.
This first-year monster redefined the shooting guard position with a performance that was historic in the entire county tournament.
He is not only an unstoppable scorer, but also the ultimate weapon in both offense and defense, the calmest killer in crucial moments, and the most stable helmsman for the new champion team, Shohoku.
His selection was undisputed.
Kawamoto took the stage again, this time eliciting good-natured laughter and even more enthusiastic applause.
He deservedly took both the MVP and All-Star player awards.
The five people stood in a row, receiving applause and attention from the entire audience.
Maki's composure, Akagi's fortitude, Sakuragi's energy, Rukawa's aloofness, and Kawamoto's invincibility.
Shohoku's possession of four seats demonstrates the absolute strength of the new champions.