adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
PRINCE Edward School and Girls High have attributed their success in the Nash Top Schools Basketball Championships to hard work after they retained their titles in the boys and girls categories respectively.The two-day event was held at Kwekwe High School over the weekend with schools from the country’s 10 provinces fighting for honours in their respective sections.
Prince Edward came in as the defending champions and they beat Churchill 40-27 in the final. They finished top of the table in Group B when they beat Dangamvura and Chipadze to qualify for the quarter-finals.
They then overpowered Loreto 35-26 before they defeated Cornway in the semi-finals on their way to the finals. Prince Edward teacher in charge of basketball, Sledge Chinyoka, hailed his team’s performance as he said there was stiff competition.
“The competition was tough, we went into the tournament as the defending champions, however, we were not the favourites to win the competition. Our guys had to work hard and they were determined.
“In the finals we played Churchill who were complacent and they thought they had won the tournament before they played.
“Basically, the most important thing is practising a lot and hardworking, our junior players’ policy is also helping. We are going to Canada in January next year and this is probably a good boost for our team,” said Chinyoka.
Girls High were also up to the task as they retained the girls title when they beat Nkulumane 34-27 in the finals. They came out tops in the group stages and they went on to dismiss Cornway 35-14 in the quarter-finals before they beat Serima 32-16 in the semi-finals.
Girls High teacher in charge of basketball, Itayi Chafota, said they had a strong team that was ready to defend the title although it was not an easy challenge.
“The level of competition was a bit challenging than last year. There was Goromonzi and Nkulumane and they were playing good basketball.
“There is a lot of skill and basketball is rising, however, we had a strong team, especially with Mellisa Majonga and Sithabile Ngandini.
“I think they did a good job and due to our preparations we were ready for the tournament and we managed to win.
“We have also won the Under-14 and Under-16 (competitions) and it’s all about commitment and hardworking. We are also developing through our junior policy and we have a team playing in the HBA, Green Stars, those are the products,” said Chafota.
Basketball Union of Zimbabwe competitions director, Simon Lawson, was happy with the competition and said the tournament was improving every year.
“To us the competition was good and the quality is rising, it is improving each year. Teams are now moving to appreciate the importance of size of the players.
“The technical ability of coaches is improving, of course, there are shortfalls here and there but coaches are now working hard. They now see that the level is coming up,” said Lawson.
Charles Wilson of Prince Edward and Mellisa Majonga from Girls High were voted the Most Valuable Players for this tournament.
Online Reporter