Losing to YCIS with a 25 point margin and watching their opponents wrap each other in triumphant hugs was not how SASPD’s junior varsity boys basketball team intended their day to start at SISAC.
“Don’t talk about it,” said Justin Kuan ’22.
But the tension didn’t last long. After struggling in another 24-52 loss against LFS, the team shone with high spirits. They were seen walking off laughing and slapping each other on the backs. It was perhaps that brimming positivity that helped them pull through in a 58-30 win over CISS later that afternoon, ending the day in 7th place.
SASPD varsity girls, on the other hand, kicked off the tournament with a victorious 40-4 against SCIS. Although there were many fresh faces, led by captain Camille Boyd ’20 and Andrea Navarro ’20, the team prevailed yet again in the semifinals against Dulwich College with a score of 41-20, sailing into the championship game against SASPX.
Meanwhile, the junior varsity girls, an hour away at Nord Anglia International School Pudong, were under pressure. Co-captain Grace Liu ’22 said, “We better win something, because there are only 4 schools.” There were also several incidents in the championship game. Liu, after winning the jump ball, had passed the ball to Puxi opponents. Later, Henin Cao ’22 injured her hamstrings.
But, the team took charge with a 14-4 win over SCIS in the first round then a swift 13-4 victory over SASPX in the finals, landing them in 1st place.
The season has barely begun for our basketball teams. There is still much to look forward to, especially with China Cup at Puxi coming up next week.