The atmosphere surrounding the 2015 Sprite Ball Championship is reaching its apex and BASKETBALLghana.com takes a dig at the teams which will represent the Greater Accra Region.
Three boys and two girls schools including last year’s losing finalist Presbyterian Boys Senior, Tema Senior High and Accra High will represent the boys division while Labone and St Mary’s will slug it out in the girls division.
Presbyterian Boys Senior High, Legon
Presbyterian Boys Senior High enters the competition on a high having finished as runners up last year. The Legon-based side is one of the most successful teams in the region having won the competition in January 2008. But they flattered to deceive in the years ahead after going into oblivion.
But the Magic Blues recaptured the spotlight at the 2014 Sprite Ball Championship after playing catch-ups since winning the competition in 2008.
Kofi Yesu’s side looked totally transformed as they ditch out an amazing performance that thrilled many during the two-day championship at the El-Wak stadium.
Presec etched their name in the history books when they became the maiden winners of the prestigious basketball championship in the West African country.
They were the unbeatable side with enormous potential to excel in the years ahead but shocking they slept on their achievement and allowed Achimota and Mfantsipim to take over the mantle and dominate until they resurfaced six years later.
They indeed hit back with a vengeance and left teams panting for breath.
They won all their group games including fixtures against Ghana Secondary Technical School, Kumasi Anglican and Easter Regional surprise package Akwamuman Senior High.
After starting off the giants of the West, Ghana Secondary Technical School with a decisive triumph against the Takoradi-based side, they never looked back as they strolled to win after win.
Their semi-final victory over defending champions Mfantsipim underlined their title credentials and really cemented their status as a likely candidate to win the title.
They return to the court with huge hopes but will have to do without influential duo Samuel Adjei and Wuni who have left for college in the United States of America.
Presec will be a side to watch out for in 2015.
Tema Senior High
The Tema-based side have become a dominant feature in the Sprite Ball Championship finals but are yet to take a short at the title.
Despite their inability to win the ultimate, Temasco can be counted among the rising forces of Senior High basketball in Ghana.
With determination and commitment, they have shown tremendous potential and will be one of the Greater Accra school who could cause an upset in the capital.
Accra High School
Accra High are making a return to the championship as outsiders. They have been drafted into the team as a replacement for Ghana Lebanon and Islamic School.
They however gets the nod on merit having placed second during the wild card competition during the 2014 Sprite Xpressions at the Aviation Social on December 24.
Affectionately called Ahisco, the side would learn from their mistakes and could pull a surprise at the El-Wak stadium.
St Mary’s Senior High
The maiden girls’ winners are back in the midst with a huge mounting to climb ahead of the championship on January 9-10, 2015.
St Mary’s, located at the heart of the capital, are no novices when it comes the Sprite Ball Championship and will be taken a steep at the title once again.
Managed by veteran trainer and coach Mathias Ocloo, ‘Merries’ have exhibited tremendous abilities in the past and will be a force to reckon with.
Youngster Ama Serwah Mitchual almost single handedly handed them the title in 2012 but for the resilience of Aggrey Memorial.
A strong pillar in the girls division, they are expected to explode at the El-Wak stadium.
Labone Senior High
Their biggest achievement has been a fourth-placed finish in the championship last year, placing them in a strong position to challenge for the crown.
Labone are a big force to contend with and will be one of the dark horse who could off a fast one on January 9-10.
Writing them off will done at one’s own peril as they boast of a crack technical bench.
Labone is the deal and they will shake the El-Wak stadium.
I think merries is set out to win spriteball 2015.WITH MATHIAS OCLOO as team manager what more but victory can be expected