Boys PSL Basketball fixture
On Monday afternoon, our U11 boys took part in the annual PSL Basketball tournament at Riffa Views. The boys were placed in Group B alongside ASB, RVIS, Beacon & ARKIS.
The boys first game was against Beacon. After an early score from Ali Sabaa, the boys defended superbly and thwarted any Beacon advances. Despite being under pressure for a large amount of time in the final quarter of the game, the boys held on to get their first win of the afternoon.
In the second game, the boys took on ARKIS. This was a performance in which the boys came off the court disappointed, despite winning comfortably.
“In the second game, we didn’t play as well as we could have done. We knew we had to improve in the next game” – Ali S, 6GA.
Onto what was our boys best performance of the afternoon, against a very good ASB team. Excellent communication in defence and blistering counter attacks was the recipe for success in the game. Energetic bursts from Arthur Elson & Yousif Al Helaibi set the tone as the boys scored 3 unanswered baskets in the first half of the game. ASB mounted a small comeback, however the boys stuck at it and made it 3 from 3.
Our final group game was against the hosts, RVIS. It was an entertaining encounter for the neutral, nail biting for those involved. Numerous shots off the rim, numerous shots blocked, the game was end to end. Despite all of the action, the game finished 0-0.
The boys then had to wait for another round of fixtures to be completed before finding out if they had made it through to the semi-finals.
The announcer grabbed the microphone and proceeded to announce the semi finals.
“On Court 1, we have BSB vs RVIS, and on Court 2, we will have IKNS vs…. NADEEN!”
Pure elation poured out of the players. Mr. Matt & Mr. Kyle got the boys around and delivered their rallying cry for the Nadeen’s first basketball semi-final in 4 years.
Both teams took to the court. It was another end to end game, numerous blocks from defenders, excellent dribbling from both sides. Blood, sweat and tears were shed on Court 2. After 10 minutes of normal time, nothing could split the teams. So, we went into 3 minutes of extra-time. Fatigue started to set in, tired passes, but the boys still showed that burning desire to get to the final. At the end of extra-time the team’s could still not be split. We went into ‘golden hoop’ (first team to score wins). The boys pressed high and won the ball back and attacked on numerous occasions. Desperation set-in and following a Nadeen attempt IKNS got the rebound and ran down to the end of the court and scored the winning hoop.
The boys were physically shattered and upset in just missing out on the final. Following the semi-final, the boys entered the 3rd/4th play-off against earlier opponent RVIS. Determined to bounce back and put on a display for the adoring Nadeen fans, the boys stepped up and dominated, coming out 6-0 winners and claiming a well deserved Bronze medal.
“What an afternoon of basketball. Our boys were fantastic throughout and fully deserved to be on that podium. To have the character to bounce back from the semi-final loss to put on a performance of that quality in the play-off was fantastic to see. They should be very very proud” – Mr. Matt, PE Teacher.
_
