The Road to the Semi-Finals

Time flew by as Seirin High continued their relentless march through the Inter-High preliminaries. Each game presented new challenges, but the team's hard work, determination, and synergy led them to a string of victories. The rigorous training sessions under Coach Riko Aida's watchful eye paid off, with every member contributing to their success.

3rd Round: Kinga High vs. Seirin High (71 – 92)

The match against Kinga High was a test of Seirin's resilience and strategic prowess. From the start, Seirin took control, with Kagami Taiga dominating the paint and Junpei Hyūga sinking three-pointers with precision.

Despite Kinga's best efforts, they couldn't keep up with Seirin's pace. The final score of 92-71 in favor of Seirin highlighted their dominance and teamwork.

4th Round: Seirin High vs. Meijō Academy (108 – 41)

The game against Meijō Academy was a showcase of Seirin's offensive capabilities. From the outset, Seirin's aggressive playstyle overwhelmed Meijō, with Kagami and Hyūga leading the charge.

Kuroko's no-look passes and misdirection plays left the Meijō defenders scrambling, allowing Seirin to build an insurmountable lead.

By halftime, Seirin had already secured a significant lead. The second half saw them continuing to dominate, with the final score of 108-41 reflecting their superiority on the court.

5th Round: Seirin High vs. Hakuryō High (89 – 87)

The match against Hakuryō High was a nail-biter, with both teams playing at their peak. Hakuryō's defense was formidable, making every point a hard-earned victory for Seirin. Toshiro's Phantom Mirage was instrumental in breaking through their defense, but he used it sparingly to keep it unpredictable.

With just seconds left on the clock, Kagami's powerful dunk secured Seirin's victory by a narrow margin of 89-87.

Semi-Finals: Seirin High vs. Seihō High (73 – 71)

The semi-final match against Seihō High was a battle of wills. Seihō's players were experienced and well-coordinated, making it a closely contested game.

As the game progressed, fatigue began to set in, but Seirin's determination kept them going. Kuroko's stamina was tested, and midway through the second half, he had to be subbed out.

With Kuroko on the bench, Toshiro stepped up, using his Phantom Mirage to create scoring opportunities and keep Seirin in the game.

The game came down to the final seconds, with Seirin leading by just two points. Seihō attempted a last-minute three-pointer, but Kagami's incredible leap and block sealed the victory for Seirin, with a final score of 73-71.

As Seirin High celebrated their hard-fought victory, the excitement for the upcoming finals was palpable. Each player had given their all, and their unity and perseverance had brought them this far. The journey was not over yet, but they had proven themselves worthy contenders for the championship. The next chapter in their journey was about to begin, and Toshiro and his teammates were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.