Jozi Stars and Soweto Basketball Academy are Soweto Uprising champs
After four days of competitive basketball, the Jozi Stars were crowned the boys’ champions of the Soweto Basketball Uprising Tournament, on Monday, while the Soweto Basketball Academy claimed the girls’ title.
The Jozi Stars maintained an unbeaten streak throughout the tournament, putting together a clean record in their pool matches before advancing through the playoffs to the final, after a 68-48 win over Wolves in the semi-finals.
The final, against the Soweto Basketball Academy, was a captivating contest, which went down to the wire, with the Jozi Stars capturing a nail-biting 53-51 win to lay claim to the silverware.
Played on Youth Day, in Soweto, the finals honoured the country’s youth who played a significant role in overturning apartheid, with the Soweto Uprising, in 1976, being one of the pivotal moments in that battle.
It was a tough end to the tournament for the hosts, the Soweto Basketball Academy, who had enjoyed an impressive run, going undefeated in their pool games, before winning through to the final.
In the semifinals, they took down last year’s champions, the Montana Vikings, recording a convincing 67-53 win in a rematch of the 2024 title game.
Unfortunately for the home team, for the second year in succession, they had to settle for second.
While the Soweto Basketball Academy boys’ team was stopped at the final hurdle, there was much to celebrate for the girls’ team, which emphatically defeated Alexandra Basketball Club 59-38 to go back-to-back as the champions of the Soweto Uprising Tournament.
Before they met for the title, the hosts handed Wolves a 58-26 loss in the semi-finals, while the Alexandra Basketball Club cruised to a 62-34 win over Rand Tutorial.
After the finals had concluded, the Soweto Basketball Academy honoured Charles Saunders and George Makena, presenting them with Lifetime Achievement Awards, which recognised their exceptional contributions to South African basketball.
“Their legacy has paved the way for many. We honour and appreciate their dedication and contributions,” the Soweto Basketball Academy said in a statement.
Results
Boys Semifinals
Soweto Basketball Academy 67-53 Montana Vikings
Jozi Stars Stars 68-48 Wolves
Girls Semifinals
Soweto Basketball Academy 58-26 Wolves
Alexandra Basketball Club 64-32 Rand Tutorial
Girls Final
Soweto Basketball Academy 59-38 Alexandra Basketball Club
Boys Final
Jozi Stars 53-51 Soweto Basketball Academy
