All set for the Youth Classic Basketball Tournament
Social media sites have been abuzz with posts about the fifth Youth Classic Basketball Tournament, organised by African Grassroot Hoops.
Scheduled for Saturday, 21 June and Sunday, 22 June, the two-day event will showcase the finest talent from Cape Town and beyond.
Basketball powerhouses, including the Montana Vikings and Soweto Basketball Academy, who were both in action at the Soweto Uprising Basketball Tournament earlier this week, will take to the court at the German International School, in Cape Town.
The tournament, for u19 boys’ and girls’ teams, has unearthed some of the country’s most promising young basketball talents, including Lutho Tukayi, who played a crucial role to help the Spartans claim the prestigious title in 2024.
Tukayi, a 17-year-old, is now enrolled at Maritzburg College, one of the leading basketball-playing schools in the country. There he is benefitting from the mentorship of one of the nation’s leading coaches, Suwi Siwila.
Tukayi was previously coached by South African basketball icon Vincent Ntunja, who served on the coaching staff of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the NBA Summer League in 2023. Previously an outstanding player, way back in 1998, Ntunja was honoured as the Most Valuable Player at the Michael Jordan Flight School.
Every year, the African Grassroot Hoops Tournament recognises an individual for their contributions to basketball. This year, Belinda Dyck will be honoured and celebrated for her ongoing involvement in the sport, particularly in the Western Cape.
Ntunja, the tournament director and a brand ambassador for Puma, expressed his gratitude to all the sponsors who have contributed to making the event a reality. For the first time in the tournament’s history, Puma will provide all the teams with playing kits.
Too Much Wifi is helping to promoting basketball within different communities, while DMKS Africa, an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders, is a backer of youth activities and has also thrown its weight behind the tournament.
Digital Express is assisting with printing services. Additionally, the City of Cape Town and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports are involved.
Yuri Arcus Productions will contribute by providing photography services and food for the players. Peninsula Beverages will supply drinks, and Things on Wheels will also assist in feeding the competitors.
Male Division
Group A
Cape Town Sharks, Hout Bay Hurricanes, Soweto Basketball Academy, Titans Basketball Club
Group B
Montana Vikings, Eagles Basketball Club A, Hout Bay Snipers, Lions Basketball Club
Group C
Bulldogs, Blouberg, Eagles Basketball Club B, Westcliffe Eagles
Female Division
Group A
Hotshots Basketball Club, Hout Bay United, Shaq Squad
Group B
Montana Vikings, Soweto Basketball Academy, Langa Kings
Fixtures
Saturday 21 June
Male Competition
Group A
Court A
09:00 – Cape Town Sharks vs Hout Bay Hurricanes
12:40 – Soweto Basketball Club vs Cape Town Sharks
16:15 – Titans Basketball Club vs Hout Bay Hurricanes
Court B
09:55 – Soweto Basketball Academy vs Titans Basketball Club
Group B
Court A
09:55 – Montana Vikings vs Eagles Basketball Club A
10:50 – Bulldogs vs Blouberg A
Court B
10:50 – Snipers Hout Bay vs Lions Basketball
15:20 – Montana Vikings vs Snipers Hout Bay
17:10 – Eagles Basketball Club A vs Bulldogs
Group C
Court A
15:20 – Blouberg vs Westcliff Eagles
17:10 – Westcliff Eagles vs Bulldogs
Court B
11:45 – Eagles Basketball Club B vs Westcliffe Eagles
14:45 – Bulldogs vs Eagles Basketball Club B
Female Division
Group A
Court A
09:00 – Hotshots Basketball Club vs Shaq Squad
14:24 – Hout Bay United vs Hotshots Basketball Club
Group B
Court A
11:45 – Montana Vikings vs Langa Kings
Court B
16:15 – Soweto Basketball Academy vs Langa Kings
Sunday 22 June
Male Division
Group C
Court C
09:00 – Blouberg vs Eagles Basketball Club
Group A
Court A
09:55 – Titans Basketball Club vs Cape Town Sharks
Group B
Court A
10:50 – Lions Basketball Club vs Montana Vikings
Court B
10:50 – Hout Bay Snipers vs Eagles Basketball Club A
11:45 – Hout Bay Hurricanes vs Soweto Basketball Club
Semifinals
12:40 – A1 VS Top 2nd Place
13:35 – B1 vs C1
Male Division Final
15:00
Female Division
Group B
09:00 – Soweto Basketball Club vs Montana Vikings
Group A
Court B
09:55 – Shaq Squad vs Hout Bay United
Semifinals
11:45 – A1 vs B2
12:40 – B1 vs A2
Female Division Final
14:30
