Amber Asenathi Sylvester shields the ball before creating a scoring chance for her Montana Vikings Basketball Club teammates in the WCBA Provincial finals. They won 73-40 against Mbekweni Shaq Squad Basketball Club Ladies. Picture: Lonwabo Marele
Montana Vikings Basketball Club were crowned the Western Cape Basketball Association’s Provincial Club Championships champs, at Pinelands High School, on Sunday, June 30.
Both the senior women and men’s teams played against Mbekweni Shaq Squad Basketball Club in the finals.
The women’s team beat Mbekweni 73-40, while the men’s team won 73-30.
The winners qualify to play in the National Club Championships, organised by Basketball South Africa, in Gauteng, later this year.
Vikings and SA basketball player, Mihlali Mpako said a winning mentality played a crucial role before they entered the court.
“The defence helped us to put that space between us and the opposition,” she said.
“From here we are finishing our summer league. We are going to play a seedings for that. We are looking to go to club championship qualifiers in Johannesburg later this year. The moment we get those dates we can prepare for the rest of the season,” said Mpako.
Mbekweni Shaq Squad Basketball’s coach and player, Lindile Sizani said the experience was a game-changer for his women’s squad, as well as his young men’s squad.
“They pushed a lot. What beat them was experience. They played against some professional players, including national players, but they held their own. I am proud of them. The future of basketball is bright in the province. They are the best,” he said.
Sizani said the men’s team, averaging at 17-years-old, showed that they can play against anyone, on any given day.
“It was also their first time playing seniors and for them to perform the way they did is amazing. They will go far,” said Sizani.
Montana Vikings are also celebrating after their under-18 boys’ team returned home from the Soweto Basketball Uprising as champions.
The festival and tournament took place in Gauteng from Friday June 14 to Wednesday June 19.
The Montana Vikings under-18 boys’ team defeated the defending champions, Soweto Academy, 63-45.
On the attack, Mbekweni Shaq Squad Basketball’s senior player, Lerato Ngakana pushing herself to the limits in the final against Montana Vikings. Picture: Lonwabo MareleMbekweni’s Cleo Khongolo attempts for a two points score, while Viking’s Asamkhele Nongwedu defends in the air. Picture: Lonwabo MareleShaq Squad’s Cleo Khongolo throws a long pass to her teammate, Alutho Gqotso. Alutho shielded the ball and when her teammates made it to the danger zone, she laid it off to Cleo to take a shot. Picture: Lonwabo MareleCleo Khongolo wins Shaq Squad a foul in the last 40 seconds of the third quarter. Picture: Lonwabo MareleAlutho Gqotso makes no mistake in converting the two free shots into points for the side from Mbekweni. Picture: Lonwabo MarelePlaymaker, Buyiswa Gwangwa was in stellar form in the provincial finals. She helped her team to beat Mbekweni Shaq Squad Basketball Ladies 73-40 to lift the provincial honours ahead of the national championships. Picture: Lonwabo MareleShooting a free shot, 16-year-old Sinentlantla Mbali, from Mbekweni, says her team were grateful to be a part of the final against some professional players from Montana Vikings Basketball Club. They look forward to the summer season. Picture: Lonwabo MareleMbekweni Shaq Squad Baskeball Club’s Philasande Magocoba and Siphe Mzonke watch closely as Ludwe Sogwagwa flies up for a dunk ahead of their provincial championships final match against Vikings, at Pinelands High School, on Sunday, June 30. Picture: Lonwabo MareleMontana Viking’s Chestlyn Petersen putting the men’s team in front in the provincial finals against Mbekweni. Picture: Lonwabo MareleOn the attack, Montana Viking’s Nkosinathi Chibi. Picture: Lonwabo MareleMbekweni’s Musa Lufele’s reaction says it all as the ball flies out of the basketball court. The final score, 73-30, was in favour of the Montana Vikings Basketball Club, in Pinelands, on Sunday, June 30. Picture: Lonwabo Marele
