Soweto Basketball Academy does the double at the Youth Classic Tournament
The Orange Nation, the Soweto Basketball Academy showcased its signature orange colours at the Youth Classic Basketball Tournament on Sunday, securing both the boys’ and girls’ titles at the Cape Town tournament.
Male Competition
After going down in the final of the Soweto Uprising Basketball Tournament to Jozi Stars on Youth Day, 16 June, the Soweto Basketball Academy boys’ team bounced back to lift the Youth Classic Basketball Tournament, organised by African Grassroot Hoops, at the German International School on Sunday.
In an entertaining final, the Gauteng side defeated Bulldogs 65-54. Both teams had caught the eye throughout the tournament and headed into the title decider with unbeaten records.
In the semifinals, the Soweto Basketball Academy withstood a strong challenge from Cape Town Sharks, winning 49-44 to advance to the title game. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, overcame Eagles Basketball Club A 51-45 to reach the final.
Female Competition
For the Soweto Basketball Academy girls’ team, it was a second title within a week, following their title success in their own Soweto Basketball Uprising Tournament, and it came after they had already captured the AISJ Basketball Tournament and the u18 girls’ Old Petrians Basketball Tournament titles earlier this year.
The Soweto side claimed their place in the final with a convincing 37-10 victory over Shaq Squad in the semi-finals.
Their opponents for the title were the Montana Vikings, who survived a huge challenge from the defending champion, Hotshot Basketball Club, in their final four showdown, claiming a razor-thin 34-33 win.
There wasn’t much to separate the finalists, but the Soweto Basketball Academy held the edge and came away with a six-point 33-27 victory to lay claim to the silverware.
Results
Group Stages: Male Competition
Group A
Cape Town Sharks 49-28 Titans Basketball Club
Soweto Basketball Academy 67-22 Hout Bay Hurricanes
Group B
Lions Basketball Club 37-33 Lions Basketball Club
Eagles Basketball Club A 55-51 Hout Bay Snipers
Group C
Blouberg 47-36 Eagles Basketball Club B
Group Stages: Female Competition
Group A
Shaq Squad 45-14 Hout Bay United
Montana Vikings 34-33 Hot Shots Basketball Club
Group B
Soweto Basketball Academy 25-17 Montana Vikings
Semifinals
Male Competition
Soweto Basketball Academy 49-44 Cape Town Sharks
Bulldogs 51-45 Eagles Basketball Club
Female Competition
Semifinals
Montana Vikings 34-33 Hot Shots Basketball Club
Soweto Basketball Academy 37-10 Shaq Squad
Final
Male Competition
Soweto Basketball Academy 63-54 Bulldogs
Final
Female Competition
Soweto Basketball Academy 33-27 Montana Vikings
