Sprite ball 2017 was apparently the place to be this holidays. With 16 boys’ schools and 8 girls’s schools battling it out for the ultimate title, the 10th anniversary of the Sprite Ball promised to be an experience like no other.

Day one of the three day festival was action packed. The cocktail of excitement and anxiety brewing in the atmosphere was unmistakable.

Last year’s winners, St.Augustine’s College, won their game against Presbyterian SHS (Osu) with 23:18 points. Presbyterian boys (Legon) and Adisadel College were heart wrenchingly beaten by Pope John and St. John respectively. The highlight of the day definitely had to be the game between Mfantsipim School and Sacred Hearts SHS.

Mfantsipim School proved to be the better team as they won the game with a smashing 44points to 24points. Empowered by their male counterparts’ victory, Wesley Girls’ High School made it a point not to be left out of the success as they won both games against Accra Wesley Girls and Ahantaman Girls.

After the heat on the court, players from the University of Ghana Basketball team shared a few encouraging words with all the young people to encourage them to chase their dreams.

Just when we thought all was said and done, two basketball players from Methodist Girls’SHS and Adisadel College decided to flaunt their skills on the court. But this was no basketball game. It was a dance off.

They had the full attention of the crowd and didn’t plan on letting it go anytime soon. Claps and cheers filled the air as the duo gave of their best moves. In the end, Adisadel College revived themselves as they won the dance battle after losing their game.

The pick of the day was when I found myself cheering both Wesley Girls’ and Mfantsipim at the same time. Switching from alto to tenor to bass just reiterated the mutual love both schools have.

Day 2 saw the progression of the top guns into the quarterfinals and semifinals of the male and female divisions respectively.
Kumasi Girls Senior High School and Methodist Girls Senior High School will lock horns in the semifinal while reigning champions Aggrey Memorial Mount Zion School takes on Wesley Girls Senior High School.

The pick of the day will undoubtedly be a repeat of last edition’s semifinal when Pope John’s Senior High School face defending champions St. Augustine’s College. Mfanstipim School will play Ghana Senior High Technical School (GSTS)

The upcoming day promises to be even better. With the just ended games, everyone is highly anxious to know who will be crowned Sprite Ball’s 10th anniversary basketball giant.

I am a first timer at the Sprite Ball competiton and have thoroughly enjoyed every bit of action at the El-Wak Stadium.

Lesley Chinery is a final year student at Wesley Girls’ High school studying General Science.