Hanamichi Sakuragi was the main character, he puts hype on his team to bring SHOHOKU to inter high tournament. They became the second team on KANAGAWA the number one was KAINAN, the two team represent to compete the toughest team in Japan. This was the first appearance of Shohoku in inter high to compete other district. They take down the first round, the TOYOTAMA from AIWA. Second round against SANNOH, they take down but Sakuragi got injured and Shohoku eliminated in third. Correct me if i'm wrong, Kainan was the champion on that year.
The reason why they stop the series(animé), maybe isn't famous. But the story on manga was ended that way.
That year, captain Akagi and vice captain Kogure graduated. Ryota Miyage became the captain, Hisashi Mitsui still player and Kaede Rukawa join the Japan youth training camp. And Sakuragi curing his back in Hospital.