Ever since the idea was conceived and implemented in 2007, the annual Sprite Ball competition which has been the main basketball competition for high schools in Ghana has consistently lived up to expectation.
From a humble beginning of a dominant Accra- based schools competition and expanding into other regions, this year’s tournament will have representatives from all but four regions (BrongAhafo, Northern, Upper East, and Upper West Regions). The draw for this year’s competition was held on Sunday 4th January, 2015 on the “Fast break On TV3 set” by chairman of the Ghana basketball association David Ashong and Philip Assah, a marketing manager at Coca Cola.
Four groups were designated for the boys’ teams and two for the girls.
GROUP A: (PRESEC/ADISADEL COLLEGE/KINGS COLLEGE/MPRAESO)
Favourites To Break: Presec and Adisadel.
After having lost in the finals last year to Ketasco, Presec- Legon return to the competition this year with renewed enthusiasm to win the ultimate prize. The once dominant force in the competition has had a trophy drought since 2008 and have been inconsistent in their performance, missing out on the competition in 2012. With their two key players, Joel and Samuel having graduated, it looks like a tall order for the Blue Magicians. But as it is said, the magician never reveals his secret.
Adisadel is another force to reckon with in this group. Despite never winning the ultimate prize, the school remains a force to reckon with due to the rich basketball history they possess. Their best performance thus far has been an appearance in the quarter finals last year.
Kings College and Mpraeso are the other two members of this group with the latter being debutants and the former having some considerable experience in the tournament. Kings College however will be losing their exciting playmaker Anthony Duodu who graduated last year.
Duodu’s absence is a killer blow to an ambitious which has also been decimated by the departures of several key players and looming financial crisis.
