Cape Town Spartan and Hot Shots were crowned the winners of the inaugural Youth Day Classic Basketball Tournament, at the German International School Cape Town, in Tamboerskloof, on Sunday, June 16.

Spartan’s beat Hot Shot’s males basketball team 61-29 in the final to be crowned the winners of the fourth edition of the tournament.

Hot Shot’s ladies team were crowned the winners of the females section after beating tournament hosts, African Grassroot Hoops (AGH), 48-47.

For Spartans, the game marked the end of an era as the club is disbanding. The German International School Cape Town was where Spartans had played their first game 10 years ago as their home court, before moving to Rondebosch after the Covid-19 pandemic. Coach Neal Bekkers was emotional to lift the Youth Day Classic Basketball Cup at the same venue for the very last time in his Spartan colours.

“It really means a lot personally. The club was established 10 years ago and this will be the last year it will be in existence. There were four to five boys from the Spartans. The rest come from all corners of Cape Town. They were connected by the love of the sport,” he said.

Just moments before securing three points from the far left side of the court for the Cape Town Spartans, Navonn Ruiters soared high.

On the road to victory, Spartans beat Eagles Basketball Club, Sandton Bullz, Duep Basketball Club and Titans Basketball Academy. To top it off, Spartan’s Michael Mosoko won the most valuable player (MVP) in the male’s section.

Bekkers acknowledged his coach Lazola Mncameni, Francis Marais, Mzukisi Mzendana, Quavane Maloti, guest coaches, the organisers of the tournament and the parents for the continued support, sponsorship and involvement to basketball development.

“We were not a community club, but the involvement from everyone made it work,” said Bekkers.

Youth Day Classic Basketball Tournament’s girls’ section winners, Hot Shots, from Claremont. Pictures: Lonwabo Marele

In the females’ section, Hot Shots won the Cup for the second time in a row this year.

Captain, Intando Taitai said they were honoured to be a part of the tournament and to defend their title. Her teammate, Nina Kabalin, won the most valuable player in the female’s section.

“It starts at home. Thanks to our parents for allowing us to be here. If we are given platforms like this, like AGH tournaments, to showcase your love for the sport, it is absolutely going to be wonderful. As women to be given that platform, to be playing at such big centre facilities is an absolute honour. We really wished to be here and I am really proud of each and everyone of my teammates,” said Taitai.

Hot Shots’ captain, Intando Taitai played a crucial role in helping her team secure the Youth Day Classic Basketball Tournament, at the German International School, at the weekend.

Hot Shot’s coach, Sizwe Kose said it was an honour to win the tournament, for the second time, against his former teacher and basketball mentor, Mike Makedama, from AGH.

“I am from Nyanga and today I got to coach the final for the second time against my former teacher at school, my former basketball coach and the guy who taught me how to coach. I played with him for the second time and won using his tricks. It was exciting,” he said.

“We came into this tournament with quite a number of injuries. We had to come up with a plan of including youngsters. Some were 13 and some were 14 years old. We are happy to defend it,” said Kose.

With the clock ticking down in the boys’ final against the Hot Shots, Cape Town Spartans’ Michael Mosoko is on the hunt for two crucial points.

Organiser and professional coach, Vince Ntunja said the idea of the tournament came in 2017 after returning from the USA on an exchange programme.

Ntunja said their goal is to ensure young ballers get an opportunity to use the skills acquired from basketball to elevate their communities, through “dedication, determination and discipline”.

He was grateful to ward councillor, Francine Higham, Department of Cultural Affairs’ director Thabo Tutu, his organising team, the clubs, parents and players for supporting the event.

“These things are massive for us but we know what it does for the future of the kids. We have grown from eight teams to 12 teams this year. Irrespective of where you come from, it is possible. Many people did not know basketball existed. We are proud of the work we have done, especially for women empowerment and most importantly, our involvement in youth development through basketball,” said Ntunja.