Founders rule basketball roost

The win gives them the right to represent Bulawayo Province in the national schools basketball tournament in September at a venue yet to be announced.
The final pitted the best talents of Shadel Noble, who turns out for league side Oilers, and Noah Penduka, who plays for Stars. The two are the aces for Founders and Nkulumane respectively.

Noble, son of the legendary Ernie Noble, triumphed after leading his side to victory with the tournament’s high score of 98 points while Penduka had 89 points.
Founders did not taste defeat in the entire tournament                       as they won all their matches from the group stages to the             final.
They beat Ihlathi 56-30 in the semi-finals while Nkulumane got to the final courtesy of a 65-49 win over Christian Brothers College (CBC).

The third place play-off was won by CBC after thrashing Ihlathi 54-27.
The first tournament games were played in a round-robin format and Nkulumane and Ihlathi came first and second respectively in Group A after Nkulumane won all their matches and Ihlathi lost once to Nkulumane while Group B was topped by Founders and CBC respectively. Founders did not lose any match with CBC losing one game to Founders.

Gifford coach Ndumiso Mabhena, who also officiated at            the games expressed satisfaction with the level of competition. “The competition we witnessed today was top level although        my team lost. I am confident Founders will not only represent     the province in the national competitions but they will win,” he said.

Wazawaka Phiri of Founders was named the tournament’s most valuable player.
Results

Group A: Gifford High 28, St Columba’s High 12; Sizane High 19, Ihlathi High 50; Nkulumane High 43, Gifford 29; Gifford 36 Ihlathi 48; St Columba’s 28, Sizane 10; Nkulumane 94, Sizane 14; Ihlathi 37, St Columba’s 26; Nkulumane 74, Ihlathi 16; Gifford 20, Sizane 22; Nkulumane 76, St Columba’s 20.
Group B: Milton High 8, Founders High 51; CBC 38, Northlea 31; Founders 36, CBC 31; Northlea 35, Founders 57; Northlea 61, Milton 22; CBC 36, Milton 10.

Semis
Nkulumane 65, CBC 49; Founders 56, Ihlathi 30.
Final
Founders 93, Nkulumane 76.