Recap

Shohoku vs Kainan was the second game of the Final Four of the Kanagawa Prefectural Tournament in Slam Dunk.

It began with Kainan displaying their trademark composure and efficiency, led by captain Shinichi Maki’s commanding playmaking and Soichiro Jin’s accurate shooting. Shohoku struggled to keep pace early on, committing turnovers and missing key shots, which allowed Kainan to build their largest lead of the game at 39–24 around the 15th minute.

However, Shohoku refused to back down. Under Coach Anzai’s calm guidance, they tightened their defense and found rhythm through Kaede Rukawa’s dynamic drives and Hanamichi Sakuragi’s dominance on the boards. As the first half ended, Shohoku had cut the gap significantly, gaining momentum and confidence.

At the start of the second half, Shohoku surged ahead for the first time, taking a 51–49 lead — their biggest advantage of the game — fueled by a series of fast breaks and renewed energy. The crowd erupted as the underdogs challenged the reigning champions point for point.

The remainder of the match unfolded as a thrilling, back-and-forth battle showcasing both teams’ strengths — Kainan’s experience and structure versus Shohoku’s passion and unpredictability. Shohoku had a chance to force overtime but Hanamichi Sakuragi mistook rival Takasago for teammate Akagi, losing the ball.

Score Progression: 16-20 (min 10), 24-34 (min 13), 34 – 45 (min 18), 49 – 49 (half), 53-52 (min 22), 70-78 (min 35), 84-88 (min 38), 88-90 (final).

Note: The stats for this game include everything shown or inferred in the manga. For instance, it was said that Rukawa scored 25 points by halftime, so his total points scored is the addition of his buckets displayed in the second half to that number.