Chapter 11: The Name Is Kaede Rukawa!.

Kaede Rukawa was still having a hard time getting his hands on the ball because of Osamu, Rukawa was getting irritated with how the Takezono defense on him.

[RUKAWA: Make sure to keep it all the way until the end of the game, because if you don't. I think there is anyone that can stop me.]

This sudden remark from Rukawa left Osamu dumbfounded and confused. Osamu was confident that he could defend Rukawa all by himself until the end and also keep his scoring into a single digit. But, slowly and quietly, he started to get tired of chasing Rukawa. In just split seconds…. Kaede Rukawa was no longer on his sight.

[OSAMU: Switch!.]

Osamu shouted but his teammates were too focused on their own match, and Rukawa scores. This is his 8th point of the game. Rukawa finally got a momentum going on his own.

SHOHOKU: 73

TAKEZONO: 68

2nd Half 16:44

Takezono gets the ball and they give the ball to Oda in the left wing post against Daichi. Oda faces Daichi, Oda shoots a mid range shot and misses. Sakuragi screens off Haruhiko and gets the rebound again.

Sakuragi pass the ball to Miyagi, Miyagi rushes to their court and forward pass to Rukawa. Rukawa gets the ball, he dribbles between his legs, then he spins to the left to get away from Osamu.

[OSAMU: Damn.]

Rukawa attacked the paint and Keita jumps to block his shot. Rukawa collided with Keita in the air and scores. The referee blew his whistle.

[REFEREE #1: Foul! Blue #4! Basket Count!.]

[CROWD: WOOHOO!.]

[MIYAGI: Nice job, Rukawa!.]

Miyagi gives Rukawa a high five, Rukawa looks at Sakuragi and scoffs at him.

[SAKURAGI: What was that for, you fox?!.]

Rukawa ignored Sakuragi. He went to the free throw line and made the bonus shot.

SHOHOKU: 76

TAKEZONO: 68

2nd Half 16:14

Shohoku's lead is getting bigger and it will be too much for Takezono to get back into the game because Rukawa was now going to his zone. Sakuragi was in control of the rebounds, and Miyagi wouldn't make any mistakes.

And so, they rely heavily on their ace, Oda who is being defended by a freshman. Oda makes his move inside the paint and he gets stopped by Daichi and Sakuragi gets the loose ball and quickly pass it to Miyagi. Miyagi take his time and wait for his teammates to get into their positions.

Osamu is trying his best to not lose Rukawa but Rukawa was simply too much for him to handle alone, Rukawa gets the ball. Osamu I front of him, Rukawa is going to take a three pointer and makes it.

SHOHOKU: 79

TAKEZONO: 68

2nd Half 15:43

Takezono gets the ball again and this time they finally scores with Keita taking Shota to the paint and out strength him.

Miyagi gives the ball to Rukawa again, Rukawa is going to shoot a three pointer again and he makes it again.

SHOHOKU: 82

TAKEZONO: 70

2nd Half 14:56

Takehiro when bringin the ball to their court, the ball slipped off his hands and Miyagi quickly grabbed it and runs off

Miyagi see Rukawa in his left side and pass the ball to him, Rukawa then goes straight into the rim and dunks it with his left hand.

SHOHOKU: 84

TAKEZONO: 70

2nd Half 14:41

Kaede Rukawa scored 26 points in the second half and finished with 30 points, leads Shohoku to their first win of the tournament and advances to the next round.

Shohoku wins 112 to 98. The two main players of Shohoku, Hanamichi Sakuragi and Kaede Rukawa was the key factors behind their victory over Takezono. Although, Oda didn't have a strong second half, he still managed to lead his team in scoring and rebounding.

[ODA: That was a good game, Sakuragi.]

[SAKURAGI: Yeah. But, you still too 100 year early to defeat me. Oda-Kun.]

[ODA: Haa… oh well, you guys still win though. Good luck on the tournament.]

[SAKURAGI: Yeah.]

[MIYAGI: Hanamichi, come on let's go.]

[SAKURAGI: Coming.]

Kaede Rukawa gets interviewed by a local newspaper about his take on their win, Rukawa said something about the win but he gave such a short answer that the interviewer asked him again about his opinion on the win, and again Rukawa answered in such short remarks that the interviewer just move on to the next question.

Meanwhile, the Ryonan versus Janshi match was on the way and Sendoh catches Rukawa's attention when Sendoh does what Rukawa did earlier in their game.

Rukawa was agitated because he practiced it for a long time but Sendoh did it like it was nothing.

The Shohoku players stayed behind the stadium because they wanted to watch the school that night they play in the next round, and Sakuragi went out to practice on his own and Rukawa did the same thing. They couldn't wait for much longer to get out and play again.