Prefectural finals for the SoftBank Winter Cup 2026 concluded across six regions on October 24 and 25, determining new qualifiers for the 79th All Japan High School Basketball Championship opening on December 23.
Noshiro Science And Technology Secures Fifty Third National Appearance
In the Akita Prefectural final, Prefectural Noshiro Science and Technology High School defeated Prefectural Akita Technical High School 87–82. The win earns Noshiro Science and Technology its first Winter Cup berth in three years and marks the program’s 53rd national tournament appearance, carrying forward the lineage of the former Noshiro Industrial High School.
Sendai University Meisei Dominates Regional Final
Sendai University Meisei High School defeated Tohoku Gakuin High School 130–52 in the Miyagi Prefectural final held on October 25. Meisei secured the national tournament slot behind high-volume scoring and defensive pressure.
Okinawa Suisan Wins Fifty Seventh Year Return On Late Free Throws
Prefectural Okinawa Suisan High School defeated Konan High School 59–58 in a one-point finish in the Okinawa Prefectural final. With 0.9 seconds remaining in the match, Alex McMillan of Okinawa Suisan converted two free throws to seal the victory. The result sends Okinawa Suisan to the Winter Cup for the first time in 57 years, marking the program’s sixth national appearance overall.
Regional Qualifiers And Tournament Openers
Other prefectural finals concluded on the same weekend. Prefectural Nagasaki Technical High School defeated 瓊浦高校 86–64 to win the Nagasaki qualifier. Kagoshima Prefecture saw Reimei High School defeat Prefectural 川内高校 85–76 to claim its national tournament berth.
The 79th All Japan High School Basketball Championship begins on December 23, bringing the qualified teams together for the national tournament.
