28 Aug 2016

Botswana basketball boys’ Under 17 coach, Kealeboga Molebatsi, says he is impressed with his team’s display, despite finishing last in the COSSASA 2016 ball games played in Gaborone last week.

The team won a single match against Namibia and suffered two defeats to Zimbabwe and a further loss to Namibia.

They were thrashed 64-24 in their opening match against Zimbabwe at Maruapula Secondary School on Wednesday. 

The team redeemed itself with a narrow 55-50 victory against Namibia the following day, but subsequent losses to Zimbabwe (88-34) and Namibia (82-58) condemned the hosts to bottom position.

Molebatsi, however, stated that the team did well in the tournament considering they are the learning curve. 

“Looking at the boys’ performance, I would say they really applied themselves. We had some players who were beginners and they were learning,” he said after the games.

He said the team suffered heavy defeats against Zimbabwe because they were exposed for speed.

“Zimbabwe was pacey and faster while our guys were slow, especially in defence where we didn’t recover quickly enough.”

Further, Molebatsi said the team should be engaged in more training camps to fast-track their development, adding continuity is necessary for the team to improve.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe claimed the title in the boys’ under-17 competition after winning all their matches. 

They also thrashed Namibia 91-50 and 83-37 to add to their victories over Botswana.

Zimbabwe girls’ under-17 also claimed the title after winning all their matches. Namibia came second while Botswana was third after losing all their matches.

The hosts were beaten 60-30 by Zimbabwe on the opening day, 49-29 by Namibia in the second match and 62-45 by Zimbabwe in the third match. 

The team showed some improvement in the last match against Namibia with the likes Nsagwa Ramatebele, Maduo Maakgadiatla and Aone Mbaakanyi showing promise. 

However, they eventually lost the match 54-48. ENDS