The Sunday News
Sisa Sihwa
CHAMPIONS Southern Mavericks women basketball team continue to maintain their dominance in the sport after they recently clinched the sixth edition of the Lakers Tournament held last week at Khanyisile Sports Centre.
The Lakers Tournament is an invitational tourney to all basketball teams in the country and outside the borders to improve and strengthen relations with foreign clubs, while promoting the development of the sport in the region.
Both men and women teams from across the country competing for honours in the, Under-13, 16 and seniors categories. In the seniors category Southern Mavericks edged Bulawayo Lakers 45-36 in the women’s final; while JBC defeated Raiders 56-47 in the men’s final.
In the Under-16 category, Churchill won against Goromonzi High, while Goromhonzi beat Dominican Convent in the women’s final.
Speaking to Sunday Life Sport, the Southern Mavericks coach Mxolisi Ndlovu said he was thrilled about winning the tourney.
“It is always good to win a tournament, as we always go into every competition with the hope to achieve success and the victory was a reward to the team’s hard work. We are now preparing for the national finals to be played in April next year,” Ndlovu said.
The Secretary for Mavericks Foundation Hurbert Bhebhe said this was the third tournament they partook in this year and they were elated about clinching this one.
“I am very delighted that the team has managed clinch the Lakers trophy they have worked hard during this season and it has payed off,” he said.
Southern Mavericks have been regional league champions since 2013 managing to successfully defend the gong for four years. They were crowned champions in the national basketball league for the 2015-2016 and became the finalists in the 2016 -2017 season.
The Bulawayo Basketball League Association (BBA) president Darlington Chafara commended the Southern Mavericks’ women side have for their remarkable performance.
“The Southern Mavericks’ women team has been really impressive this year in the region and national league. Recently they participated in the Fiba Club Championships and performed above expectations even though it was their maiden appearance, so l urge all other clubs in the league to emulate their performance,” he said.— @ J_sihwa
