It was a great scene at the El-Wak Sports stadium as the young boys from Armed Forces Senior High & Technical school (A.F.S.T.S) displayed sheer bravado and power play to beat Labone Senior High, the dark horses of the competition to lick the trophy for the first time in the Greater Accra regional Sprite Ball Championship.
Charles Annan, Frank Abban and Pius combined effectively to fight back strongly to help Armed Forces power past Labone 20-18 in a final that lived up to its billing.
The Burma camp based lads looked strong and the overwhelming favourite for the title after they masterminded their way to the National title in 2009.
Labone will go home smiling despite the defeat following their spectacular display on the main basketball court at the El-Wak Stadium. They were the unknown customers in the game but after watching them display such performance, they could well be satisfied with earning the right to qualify for the grand-finale at the same venue next month.
Regardless of the success of the Armed Forces team, their performance lives much to be desired going into the defence of the title they won in 2009. Star player Pius did to many too little as his selfish play nearly cost the home side but eventually luck was on their side as his two free throws did the damage for A.F.S.T.S in the dying embers of the game. Armed Forces will go into the grand finale knowing they have to do more to retain the trophy.
For Labone, it was a close shave as they nearly clinched the title from the jaws of the National champions while Armed Forces will salvo the moment- because once again they have added another trophy to their cabinet.
It was an end to end action for both sides as Labone took the game to their to their opponent in the opening minute but Forces fought back strongly to silence the thousands of fans who had gathered at the venue to catch a glimpse of the talents on shore.
Meanwhile Holy Trinity Cathedral (Hotcass) placed third at the finals but still qualify for the grand finale thanks to the victory of Armed Forces.
The finals in the girls division was a repeat of what transpired last year as Tema Senior High girls (Temasco) squared off with Sacred Heart Technical Institute.
In the end it was sweet revenge for the Accra based side thanks to the exploits of Ruby, Patience and Emelia who displayed amazing team spirit and chemistry to triumph on the day.
Sacred Heart is gradually becoming a household name and a terrifying side in Ghana’s basketball history.
The victory of Sacred Heart handed Kinbu Girls the right to play in the National final after placing third at the expense of Tema-based Our Lady of Mercy (Olams).
The next regional stop in the prestigious 2010 Sprite Ball Championship will be in the Western region, on the campus of Ghana Secondary Technical School (G.S.T.S) on Friday 26th November, 2010. The Schools & Colleges park takes its turn on Saturday, Novmber 27 to host schools in Central region.
Sprite Ball Championship 2010 is brought to you by Sprite, Freedom from thirst and supported by Indomie Instant Noodles- tastes great and DDP Outdoor. Media partners TV Africa, Graphic Sports, Today’s news paper , Ghana sports news paper and powered by Rite Multimedia- Leaders in basketball development & promotion in Ghana.
By: Patrick Akoto
LOVE IT
KEEP IT UP STUDENTS IT SHALL BE WELL WITH U IN JESUS NAME
Sacred heart,champioooooooon
I Luv my school,Sacred heart