January 7, 2016-exactly six months ago- will be forever remembered as the day St. Augustine’s College whitewashed eternal rival Mfantsipim School by beating the latter 37-22 on Ghana’s biggest basketball high school stage-Sprite Ball.
The renowned school placed second in the maiden edition of the championship with stalwarts Kwame Boamah Djan, John KariKari and Carl Tamakloe in the team. What followed years after was a mix of mediocre and abject performances which brought the school to it’s’ knees. On the other hand, arch rivals Mfantsipim, with whom they share legendary battles in all spheres, made the Sprite Ball Championship their own by winning three consecutive titles and four in all.
After navigating tricky duels against Pope John School and Opoku Ware School respectively, Augustine’s and Mfantsipim headed to the final game for the most anticipated game in the nine year history of the championship. Falling into a 0-10 hole early in the first quarter, mega star Dennis “Mantse” Dugbennu single handedly dragged his team into contention with a bevy of powerful post plays and ice cold execution from the free throw line.
At half time, the comeback was complete with Augustine’s leading 14-10. The second stanza followed in similar suit as Mantse continued his one man demolition of Mfantsipim. He top scored with 26 points (which was more than the entire Mfantsipim team could muster) to lead “Augusco” to a first ever win in the competition.
Pope John’s won bronze ahead of Opoku Ware.
