what the coaches who might be watching are seeing is that he kept playing, even while injured, to an eventual loss

I think this depends a lot on whether these are real coaches or shounen sports series coaches. Raw determination is valued *very* highly by the latter. But it always makes me cringe to see people play injured like this, even when I know it's not real.

I rather like the idea that he's been planning to quit, just like Kawamura, once he's made a good standing at Nationals a sure thing.

You know, I think that's very possible. This injury probably makes it difficult for him to consider going pro and the pro life is a difficult one anyhow.

He would probably die inside a little when he gave it up, but he would never let anyone see that.