Chapter Summaries

Shirasawa challenged Hajime Chiba to a shooting contest, made all twenty shots, and won a teddy bear for Haruko. After the pair shared a kiss outside the hotel, the third round of the national tournament began.

• Hajime Chiba invited Shirasawa to test his shooting, and Shirasawa accepted, promising to win a teddy bear for his friend.
• Shirasawa made nineteen consecutive shots, then backed beyond the three-point line and sank his final shot to win the contest.
• Shirasawa gave the teddy bear to Haruko, while Hajime Chiba looked forward to facing Shohoku and Sakuragi learned that Ken Hoshino was a top high-school power forward.
• Haruko worried that her brother would find out she had stayed out late, and she and Shirasawa walked back to the hotel behind Sakuragi and Yoko.
• At the hotel entrance, Haruko asked Shirasawa to come closer and kissed his cheek.
• The third round of the national tournament began, with eight games scheduled that day.

Sannoh crushed its opening opponent before its players went to watch Shohoku face Aiwa Academy, a high-stakes game that could earn Shohoku a quarterfinal berth. As the teams prepared to play, Takenori Akagi stood on the verge of meeting Shota Sugiyama’s recruitment condition, while Shohoku planned to attack Aiwa’s weak interior.

• Masashi Kawata scored 18 points in ten minutes as Sannoh built a 34-6 lead, then Sannoh’s reserves eased off and secured a 37-point win.
• Sannoh’s team headed to Northern Stadium to watch Shohoku face Aiwa Academy, where Dai Moroboshi warned his teammates that Shohoku was as strong as Hakata Shodai Affiliated.
• Shota Sugiyama told Kazuo Karasawa that Takenori Akagi needed at least 25 points and ten rebounds against Aiwa to earn Fukazawa Sports University’s invitation.
• Eiji Sawakita and Masashi Kawata joined the crowd, while Nobunaga Kiyota and Shinichi Maki joked about Sannoh’s matching haircuts.
• The referee called the players back to their benches, and Shohoku’s coaches instructed the team to exploit Aiwa’s weak interior by attacking inside.

Shohoku opened its game against Aiwa with Shirasawa facing Dai Moroboshi, whose changing dribbling rhythm let him beat Shirasawa and score. Shirasawa and Akagi answered with baskets, but Moroboshi drew a foul on Akagi, leaving Akagi with his first foul as the game continued.

• Akagi won the opening tip for Shohoku, and Shirasawa passed to him for an alley-oop dunk over Otomo.
• Moroboshi used shifting dribbling rhythms to get past Shirasawa, evade Sakuragi and Akagi, and tie the score with a layup.
• Shirasawa created space against Moroboshi and set up Akagi for another basket over Otomo.
• Moroboshi drove past Shirasawa after a screen, leaned into Akagi in the air, and drew a defensive foul when his shot missed.
• Sugiyama recognized that Moroboshi had aimed to draw the foul, while Akagi was charged with his first foul.

Shirasawa and Moroboshi led Shohoku and Aiwa in a fast-scoring offensive duel, while Aiwa’s three-point shooting kept the game close. Moroboshi drew Akagi’s second foul, bringing Aiwa closer to forcing Shohoku’s dominant center off the court.

• Moroboshi tied the score with two free throws after Akagi fouled him, and Shirasawa answered by driving through Moroboshi and drawing a foul on Otomo for a three-point play.
• Moroboshi scored against Akagi, but Shirasawa responded with a three-pointer, blocked Moroboshi’s next attempt, and helped Mitsui score another three on a fast break.
• Aiwa’s players repeatedly shot and made three-pointers, keeping the game close as Shohoku led 28-25 a little over seven minutes into the game.
• Moroboshi used a screen and a shooting feint to draw Akagi’s second foul, leaving Akagi frustrated and at risk of having to sit out if he fouled again.

Shirasawa adapted to Aiwa’s hot three-point shooting by deciding to take over the offense himself, while Coach Anzai urged Shohoku to answer with an even stronger attack. Shirasawa left Dai Moroboshi behind with a series of feints and drove past him cleanly.

• Coach Anzai told Akagi to avoid fouls and act as a decoy, with Sakuragi ready to intercept Moroboshi’s drives.
• Shirasawa drew Aiwa’s defense before passing to Sakuragi, who finished with a dunk.
• Eiji Sawakita praised Shirasawa and said he considered him a player worthy of competing against him.
• Tōji Jun hit a quick three-pointer as Aiwa’s shooters continued scoring, worrying Mitsui and the Shohoku bench.
• Coach Anzai told Kogure that Shohoku should fight Aiwa’s shooting with stronger offense and predicted Shirasawa would erupt.
• Shirasawa accelerated past Moroboshi, used a feint to evade him, and broke through without being touched.

Shirasawa’s dunk over Dai Moroboshi and a steal from Fukumori Suzuki swung the game’s momentum toward Shohoku. After Aiwa’s attack faltered, Shohoku launched a fast break that left Shirasawa facing Moroboshi again in the paint.

• Shirasawa stole Suzuki’s shot, then raced downcourt and dunked over Moroboshi, electrifying the crowd.
• Aiwa called a timeout, and Moroboshi admitted he could not stop Shirasawa but promised to keep trying.
• After play resumed, Mitsui disrupted Jun’s shot, and Sakuragi secured the rebound.
• Sakuragi threw the ball ahead to start a Shohoku fast break, and Shirasawa drove into the paint to confront Moroboshi again.

Shirasawa and Moroboshi traded spectacular baskets as Shohoku built a 66-53 first-half lead, while Sendoh and Rukawa led Ryonan to a 56-46 advantage over Daiei Academy. The chapter ended with both games at halftime, Sendoh having blocked Tsuchiya and assisted Rukawa’s buzzer-beating dunk.

• Shirasawa and Moroboshi exchanged scores in a fierce one-on-one duel, with Shirasawa gaining the upper hand and reaching 35 points as Shohoku led 66-53.
• Eiji Sawakita watched Shirasawa’s performance and admitted to Masashi Kawata that he had underestimated him.
• Sendoh broke Daiei Academy’s defensive deadlock with mid-range shooting, and he and Rukawa helped Ryonan produce a 21-8 run.
• Tsuchiya took over Daiei’s offense and challenged Sendoh, while Rukawa shifted into a supporting role.
• Sendoh blocked Tsuchiya, then passed to Rukawa for a buzzer-beating dunk that gave Ryonan a 56-46 halftime lead.

Shohoku widened its lead over Aiwa Academy with Ryota Miyagi’s back-to-back steals and fast-break scores, while Dai Moroboshi answered with a late basket. With one second left in the half, Takenori Akagi launched a long pass toward Shirasawa for one final chance.

• Shirasawa’s skipping-stone pass set up Hanamichi Sakuragi for an alley-oop dunk, giving Shohoku a 72-57 lead.
• Ryota Miyagi stole the ball from Dai Moroboshi and scored a fast-break layup, then stole it again after Aiwa inbounded and scored over Fukumori Suzuki to make it 76-57.
• Dai Moroboshi shook free of Shirasawa, drove past Hisashi Mitsui, and scored against Sakuragi to cut the lead to 76-59 with one second remaining.
• Shirasawa sprinted toward the frontcourt, and Takenori Akagi threw a long, high pass toward him as Moroboshi, Suzuki, and Tōji Jun chased back.

Shirasawa hit a buzzer-beating three to give Shohoku a 79-59 halftime lead and set a new first-half scoring record with 41 points. Aiwa Academy regrouped and returned determined to fight back, while Shohoku opened the second half by extending its lead to 22.

• Shirasawa caught the ball and made a contested buzzer-beating three as the first half ended, pushing the score to 79-59.
• Shirasawa's 41 first-half points surpassed Eiji Sawakita's record of 39, while Dai Moroboshi had scored 31 for Aiwa Academy.
• Aiwa Academy's coach urged the team to focus on defense and counterattacks, and Dai Moroboshi rallied his teammates to keep fighting.
• Coach Anzai encouraged Shohoku at halftime, and Takenori Akagi opened the second half with a dunk that extended the lead to 22.
• Dai Moroboshi tried to create room against Shirasawa's tight defense and finally found a small opening for a fadeaway jumper.

Shohoku continued to dominate Aiwa Academy as Shirasawa answered Dai Moroboshi’s late three-point barrage and secured the victory. With the game all but decided, Sakuragi nearly tipped the ball into his own basket before it bounced out.

• Shirasawa scored from the left wing to give Shohoku a 25-point lead, prompting Goro Domoto to lead Sannoh Industrial High School out of the gym after adding Shohoku to its list of opponents.
• Ken Hoshino and Hajime Chiba arrived to watch Shohoku, discussed Shirasawa’s threat, and passed the departing Sannoh players without speaking.
• During a timeout, Dai Moroboshi stopped Aiwa’s coach from drawing up a play and declared that he would take responsibility for their comeback attempt.
• Moroboshi made two deep three-pointers, but Shirasawa answered with a layup, blocked Moroboshi’s next shot, and scored a three-pointer to restore Shohoku’s large lead.
• With the game nearly over, Sakuragi knocked the ball loose but sent it toward Shohoku’s own hoop; it rattled around the rim and bounced out.

Shohoku defeated Aiwa Academy 131-96 to reach the national top eight, while Shirasawa broke the tournament scoring record and Dai Moroboshi’s high school career ended. The chapter leaves Dai interested in teaming up with Shinichi Maki for the upcoming 100-Point Battle, as Ryonan also secured a top-eight spot.

• Takenori Akagi secured his tenth rebound and completed Shota Sugiyama’s hidden mission, earning Sugiyama’s approval and a place at Fukazawa Sports University.
• Shohoku beat Aiwa 131-96 and advanced to the national top eight, with Shirasawa scoring 62 points and Dai Moroboshi scoring 46 in his final high school game.
• Dai Moroboshi congratulated Akagi, shook hands with Shirasawa, and accepted his defeat, then told reporters that a future matchup would show whether Shirasawa or Sawakita was stronger.
• Aiwa’s coach lamented that the team’s era was ending with Moroboshi’s departure, and Shinichi Maki invited Moroboshi to discuss the 100-Point Battle and a possible doubles partnership.
• Ryonan defeated Daiei 807 Academy 107-89 and claimed the final place in the national top eight.

Ryonan completed three wins in three days and advanced to the quarterfinals, while Shirasawa’s performance for Shohoku became the tournament’s biggest sensation. Shohoku studied Hakata Shodai Affiliated ahead of their quarterfinal, and Coach Anzai assigned Hanamichi Sakuragi the crucial task of stopping Ken Hoshino.

• Sendoh scored 43 points and made 11 assists as Ryonan defeated Daiei, while Atsushi Tsuchiya recorded 41 points and 14 assists in defeat.
• Hikoichi Aida told Uozumi that Shohoku had beaten Aiwa Academy, and Uozumi looked forward to facing them as Ryonan prepared for its quarterfinal against Iwashimizu High School.
• Shirasawa’s 60-point performance drew national attention, while Hiroshi Morishige continued dominating for Meihou Industrial with 31 points, 25 rebounds, and 9 blocks.
• Coach Anzai showed Shohoku footage of Hakata Shodai Affiliated, and Kogure, Akagi, and Ryota Miyagi assessed the strength of its physical team and its Ken Hoshino–Hajime Chiba pick-and-roll.
• Coach Anzai told Hanamichi Sakuragi that he was the only player in the country who could stop Hoshino, and Sakuragi boasted that he would lead Shohoku to victory.

Coach Anzai celebrated Shohoku's top-eight finish with fried chicken, while Akagi scouted Hiroshi Morishige's dominant performance against Jousei High School. Ryonan advanced to face Sannoh Industrial High School, and Shohoku prepared to play Hakata Shodai Affiliated for a semifinal berth.

• Coach Anzai treated Shohoku to fried chicken from his new Hiroshima branch to celebrate reaching the national top eight.
• Takenori Akagi received a formal invitation from Fukazawa Sports University through Kazuo Karasawa and went with Kogure to scout Meihou Industrial against Jousei High School.
• Hiroshi Morishige recorded 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 blocks in the first half, giving Meihou Industrial a twenty-point lead and leaving Akagi unsure how to stop him.
• Shirasawa and the Shohoku Basketball Team arrived at the gymnasium amid crowds of fans before entering the locker room.
• Ryonan defeated Iwashimizu High School 104-80 with limited minutes from Kaede Rukawa and Sendoh, advancing to face Sannoh Industrial High School.
• Shohoku took the court to warm up for its quarterfinal against Hakata Shodai Affiliated.

Shohoku opened its quarterfinal game against Hakata Shodai, whose relentless defense and Twin Stars pick-and-roll challenged the team from the start. Shirasawa scored early, but Hajime Chiba and Ken Hoshino answered with coordinated attacks, leaving Akagi to contest Hoshino at the basket.

• Uozumi doubted Sakuragi could handle Ken Hoshino, but Rukawa firmly insisted that he would.
• Akagi won the opening tip, and Shirasawa scored Shohoku's first points with a three-pointer over Chiba.
• Hakata Shodai's physical pressure disrupted Shohoku's off-ball movement, while Chiba and Hoshino used a pick-and-roll to score and make it 3-2.
• Sakuragi struggled to shake Hoshino, and Shirasawa beat Chiba's defense for a left-handed scoop shot.
• Chiba and Hoshino ran another pick-and-roll, leaving Sakuragi behind; Akagi left Ryutaro to jump and contest Hoshino's attack at the basket.

Shohoku battled Hakata Shodai in a close game as Ken Hoshino and Hajime Chiba repeatedly exploited their pick-and-roll, while Shirasawa carried Shohoku’s offense. At nine minutes, Shohoku led 28-26, and Sakuragi still needed to find a way to handle Hoshino and the Twin Stars’ attacks.

• Hoshino scored repeatedly against Sakuragi, while Shirasawa evaded Chiba’s pressure and kept Shohoku close.
• Shirasawa’s cuts helped create a team play, and Sakuragi grabbed a rebound before Shirasawa finished the possession with a one-handed dunk.
• Chiba and Hoshino continued scoring through varied pick-and-rolls, while Akagi answered with a dunk after Shirasawa passed to him.
• Coach Anzai and Shirasawa decided to keep Sakuragi in the game and trust that Hoshino’s pressure would push him to adapt.
• Shirasawa scored a layup to make it 28-26, and Maki told Kiyota that Hakata Shodai was much stronger than in the prefectural tournament.

Shinichi Maki explained how Kazunari Fukatsu and Masashi Kawata had dismantled Kainan’s Twin Stars, then Shohoku faced Hakata Shodai Affiliated in a tight game. Hanamichi Sakuragi made his first mid-range shot and later helped force a turnover, leaving Shohoku with a fast-break opportunity.

• Shinichi Maki told Nobunaga Kiyota that Kazunari Fukatsu and Masashi Kawata had stopped the Twin Stars, while Eiji Sawakita had scored freely against Kainan.
• Ken Hoshino grabbed his own missed shot over Hanamichi Sakuragi and scored a hook shot, bringing Hakata Shodai Affiliated within one point.
• Shirasawa passed behind his back to Sakuragi, who calmly made the first mid-range shot of his career.
• Sakuragi anticipated Hakata Shodai Affiliated’s pick-and-roll and blocked Hoshino’s path to the basket, forcing Hoshino to pass.
• Hisashi Mitsui intercepted Hoshino’s pass and sent the ball to Miyagi to start a fast break.

Shohoku built a six-point lead as Hanamichi Sakuragi’s relentless defense and running wore Ken Hoshino down until Hoshino cramped and had to leave the court. The first half neared its end with Hajime Chiba and Shirasawa trading increasingly long-range shots, leaving Shirasawa under pressure to answer Chiba’s deep three-pointer.

• Miyagi and Shirasawa combined for a rebound dunk that put Shohoku four points ahead, prompting Hakata Shodai Affiliated to call timeout.
• After play resumed, Takenori Akagi blocked Ken Hoshino’s shot when Sakuragi stayed with him through a pick-and-roll.
• Sakuragi kept running and battling Hoshino, eventually exhausting him until a thigh cramp forced him off the court.
• Hajime Chiba scored against Shohoku, but Sakuragi answered with another mid-range jumper as the first-half score reached 59-55.
• Chiba and Shirasawa traded baskets, then Chiba made a three-pointer from far beyond the arc with forty seconds left in the half.
• Hiroaki Koshino doubted Shirasawa could answer Chiba’s deep shot as Shirasawa prepared to shoot.

Shirasawa won a spectacular long-range shooting duel with Hajime Chiba, and Shohoku carried a seven-point lead into halftime. After the break, Shirasawa quickly attacked Hakata Shodai’s slow defenders, while Sendoh identified their defensive weakness and Hikoichi mistakenly credited Sakuragi with the insight.

• Shirasawa and Hajime Chiba traded increasingly distant three-point attempts, and Shirasawa made a shot from the center circle to win their contest.
• Chiba’s final heave missed as the first half ended, with Shohoku ahead 70-63; Shirasawa had 42 points, Akagi had 16, and Sakuragi had eight points and eight rebounds.
• On the other court, Sawakita scored 31 points in fifteen minutes, then told Fukatsu that Akira Sendoh had also caught his attention.
• Sawakita and Fukatsu discussed their upcoming game against Ryonan and confidently predicted Ryonan would be eliminated.
• At the start of the second half, Shirasawa drove past Chiba, scored through Matsubara, and drew a foul.
• Sendoh explained to Hikoichi that Hakata Shodai’s aggressive defense was vulnerable because most of its players were slow, while Hikoichi wrongly concluded Sakuragi had spotted the weakness.

Shohoku defeated Hakata Shodai Affiliated to reach the national semifinals, with Shirasawa leading the victory and Sakuragi forcing Ken Hoshino out of the game. The team learned it would face Meihou Industrial next, where Hiroshi Morishige had just recorded a dominant triple-double.

• Hanamichi Sakuragi's relentless play exhausted Ken Hoshino, who left the game for good, and Sakuragi followed with several dunks.
• Shirasawa shut down Hajime Chiba, then helped Shohoku build its lead as Hisashi Mitsui hit a three-pointer and the team went on an 18-2 run.
• Shirasawa dunked over the defense to seal Shohoku's win, sending the team to the national semifinals alongside Ryonan.
• Chiba warned Shirasawa that Sannoh was formidable, while Shohoku celebrated its victory in the locker room.
• Kuwata reported that Shohoku would face Meihou Industrial after it beat Jousei, and that Hiroshi Morishige had scored 50 points, grabbed 25 rebounds, and blocked 11 shots.
• Akagi worried about how to defend Morishige, while Mitsui asked whether he would be able to contain him.

Shohoku reviewed its upcoming semifinal against Meihou Industrial, where Takenori Akagi would have to contain star rookie Hiroshi Morishige. After Coach Anzai helped Akagi focus on defensive tactics and trust his ability, Akagi resolved to face Morishige as his strongest opponent; meanwhile, Ryonan prepared for its semifinal against Sannoh.

• After Shohoku's team meeting, Kogure invited a distracted Akagi for a run, and the two headed to the beach together.
• Kogure explained that Meihou's offense and defense revolved around Hiroshi Morishige, and Akagi promised to handle him.
• Moichi Taoka urged Ryonan to face Sannoh with confidence and scheduled a morning practice.
• Coach Anzai asked Akagi to compare himself with Morishige, then assured him that he was the strongest center.
• Anzai advised Akagi to front Morishige and keep him away from the basket, and Akagi resolved to fight him as his strongest opponent.