Shohoku High's basketball team is dismayed when they learn their team's rank after they make it to Nationals and must take on an A-ranked team in order to make to the next round, where they could have to face last year's champion, Sanno Kogyo.
With thirty seconds left, the Kings from Kainan hold their four-point lead, but unpredictable Sakuragi gets his chance to restore hope to his team on the free throw line.
Sakuragi's rebounds helps eat away at Sannoh's lead with seven minutes left in the second half, but Sannoh's star player is not making it easy on the Shohoku team. Rukawa and Sakuragi must dig deep for an understanding of themselves and the game if they are to have any hope of pulling off a Shohoku win.
Nine-year-old Ben, a natural athlete and member of the Bobcats co-ed soccer team, wants to overcome his inexperience and prove himself on the field, but his obnoxious teammate, Mark, keeps hogging the ball.