Basketball teams clash in intense showdown at recent tournament
The Wentworth Raptures dominated the tournament with a resounding victory.
A DIVERSE array of basketball teams clashed energetically in a tournament held at the Bayview Sports Club on August 9, featuring both the U20 and U15 categories.
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The Wentworth Raptures U20 team showcased their dominance with a commanding 80–20 victory over the Southern Nets. They continued their impressive performance with an 88–22 win against the Newlands Hawks.
In their third game, the Wentworth squad triumphed 93–18 over Southern Nets once again and concluded the day with an 82–23 win against the Newlands Hawks.
In the U16 group stage, the Raptures secured a 58–28 win against City Boys, followed by a close 34–30 victory over Madamini. They capped off their group stage with a decisive 38–18 win against Grosvenor Boys.
In the finals, the Raptures U20 team outperformed the Southern Nets with a score of 47–18. They also clinched another victory in their match against Madamini, winning 32–22.
Coach Sheldon Francis was highly impressed with the team’s performance.
“Ziyad Joseph, the captain of the Wentworth Raptures U16 team, has been instrumental in the team’s growth and success throughout 2024. From never losing a game to winning the tournament, his leadership has been pivotal. He recently returned from a global leadership camp, where he represented the South African Leadership Development Programme in basketball,” said Francis.
“Noah Paulsen, a remarkably talented 14-year-old who joined our team three months ago, has proven to be exactly what we needed. He was named Most Valuable Player of the Tournament and played a crucial role in the Wentworth Raptures U16’s triumph,” he added.
Francis attributed the team’s performance to hard work and rigorous training prior to the tournament. He said the team is looking forward to further successes as the players are determined to uphold the Wentworth flag.
He added that the team’s recent success underscores its dedication to honing skills for the youth and nurturing local talent.
Francis said the aim of the tournament was to honour the women who fought for freedom and to demonstrate to the community that not all men are violent.
“We play sports to channel our [excess energy] constructively. We are hosting a tournament for girls at the end of the month in honour of women,” he said.
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