Sneakers squeaked and balls bounced as players took part in the 2018 Ekurhuleni Basketball League (EBL) Championships.
The event was held on Saturday and Sunday at Germiston Stadium and saw 35 teams competing for top honours in seven categories, namely senior men, senior women, u-18 boys, u-18 girls, u-16 boys, u-16 girls and u-14 boys.
“This event has been running since 2012, under the current management team,” explained Seaparo Ramaube, head of Ekurhuleni Basketball Academy (EBA).
“The championships were the culmination of eight months of matches, played from March to November.
“The league has teams coming from all corners of Ekurhuleni and the big clubs continue to dominate the top ranks showing the effectiveness of a community-based club structure compared to private teams that recruit players every year.”
ALSO READ: Basketball team on top
Results:
• Senior Men:
The defending champions Wattville Watts put on an astonishing show, beating Kempton Knights 51-18 in the final match.
This was the Wattville Watts’ third consecutive championship win.
The top four teams in the division were Wattville Watts, Leondale Chronix, Kempton Knights and Kempton Park Dukes.
• u-18 boys:
Spartan Warriors claimed top honours with Katlehong Bulls, Leondale Chronix and Wattville Watts rounding out the top four positions.
• u-18 girls:
Spartan Bees won the division and Katlehong Pelicans and Leondale Chronix rounded out the top positions.
• u-16 boys:
Leondale Chronix topped the table with Katlehong Bulls, Spartan Warriors and Wattville Watts rounding out the top four positions.
• u-16 girls:
Katlehong Pelicans won the division, followed by Spartan Bees and Leondale Chronix.
• u-14 boys:
Leondale Chronix topped the division with Spartan Warriors, Katlehong Bulls and Vosloorus Vipers rounding out the top four positions.
ALSO READ: EBA’s Women’s League play-offs
“A big thank you goes to the Ekurhuleni Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the stadium management team at Germiston Stadium for assisting us with the renovation of the courts in time for the championships this year.
“We pray that this support continues for many more years to come,” said Ramaube.
“In 2019 we will welcome Boksburg Basketball Club and Germiston Basketball Club who will add more teams in every category.”
Looking to the future, Germiston Stadium will become the new home of the Ekurhuleni Basketball Association, Germiston Basketball Club and EBA.
“The Germiston Stadium basketball courts will also host the EBLs and mini-basketball for children four years and older,” explained Ramaube.
“The EBA is one of the most successful programmes in South Africa.
“This year alone the academy has produced five national team players and 19 provincial team players (10 boys and nine girls).
“We also plan to introduce our schools’ programme into five more schools in 2019.
“Furthermore, we hope to commence with the refurbishment of more basketball courts in the Benoni, Olifantsfontein and Boksburg regions to accommodate the demand there,” said Ramaube.
For more information on the academy, which is open to adults and children, call Ramaube on 061 455 6750 or send an email to academy@ekurhulenibasketball.co.za.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.zaor Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za
Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:
Or add the GCN on WhatsApp 079 406 1181 or BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137) today, to get all the latest news.
Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers Bedfordview Edenvale News, Alberton Record and Kempton Express.
