PHOTO: Champions BWI
By Jerome C. Willie, Jr., boyzwill26@gmail.com
Cell #: (+231)886-406-197/ (+231) 776-084-828
The Booker Washington Institute (BWI) has clinched the championship In the Inter-High School Basketball Tournament: As Rebeu Kafi Badged Three Awards.
This long unbeaten run of St. Christopher Catholic High School came to an end in the 2021-2022 edition of the Inter High School Basketball tournament in Kakata, Margibi County.
The Inter High School Basketball tournament is a yearly activity staged at the Albert Orsborn /Salvation Army School in Kakata, Margibi County under the auspices of The Liberia Youth For Peace Through Sportsmanship based in Kakata, Margibi County.
This year’s tournament officially kicked off on 16 March 2022 and brought together ten (10) schools within Kakata with four (4) schools pulling out due to not been fully prepared to participate in the 2021-2022 Inter High School Basketball Tournament.
Lango Lippaye High School, Shelly Love Foundation, St.Paul Lutheran High School and Konola SDA Mission High School were the four schools pulled out of the tournament while Booker Washington Institute (BWI); St. Christopher Catholic High School; St. Augustine Episcopal Mission High School; Giddings Polytechnic Academy; Albert Orsborn/ Salvation Army School were the participating teams.
The Tigers of BWI won St. Christopher Catholic High School 16 points margin to clinched the championship of the tournament.
It was a scene of jubilation for basketball lovers in Kakata, Margibi County on the 28 May 2022 at the jam packed gymnasium of Albert Osborn/ Salvation Army School gymnasium on the Bong Mines Road in Kakata, Margibi County as the tigers of BWI whipped St. Christopher Catholic High School 48-32 in the grand final to clinched this year’s championship.
The defeat was St. Christopher Catholic High School first defeat of the tournament as the defending champions failed to retain the title.
The tigers of BWI started this year tournament with a defeat in the opening fixture against the Scorpions of St. Augustine Episcopal Mission High School on the tournament opening fixture on 16 March.
BWI got through to the grand final of the tournament with a win over Albert Osborn/Salvation Army High school in the semifinals while St.Christopher Catholic High School defeated the Scorpions of St. Augustine Episcopal Mission High School to book a space to the grand final.
The Tigers of BWI walked away with LD 10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Liberian Dollars) along with a giant -sized trophy as winner while runners-up St. Christopher Catholic High School pocketed 10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Liberian Dollars).
This year tournament climaxed with an award program with several schools along with individuals winning prestigious award.
At the award program on Saturday, 4 June at the Albert School it was a joyous day for Reuben Kafi as the youngster badged three awards for his excellent performance in the tournament.
The St. Christopher Catholic High School super star Reuben Kafi won the Most Valuable Player ( MVP) , Best Point Guard along with the Highest Basket Scorer .
Reuben Kafi excellent performance during the tournament couldn’t help St. Christopher Catholic High School retain the championship but the youngster Kafi was magnificent making him the tournament’s highest scorer with 117 shots.
In other individual award, Abraham Shaw clinched the “Highest Three Pointers”, Blessing Torlon of Champions BWI ” Best Female Basketballer”, Clarence Townsend of champions BWI ” Best Coach “.
As for the institution awards Champions BWI won the “Most Discipline School” while runners -up St. Christopher Catholic High School won the ” Best Dress School ” .
This year’s tournament marks the fourth edition of the most watched Basketball Tournament in Kakata, Margibi County.
The late Chris Suawkollie sponsored the 1st edition followed Margibi County former Senator, Oscar Cooper sponsoring the 2nd edition.
Since the sponsorship by the two personalities the tournament has been singly handled by the organizers.
The Liberia Youth For Peace Through Sportsmanship is a non-profit organization that is based in Kakata, Margibi County as an recognized institution .
The Liberia Youth For Peace Through Sportsmanship was establish on 24 October 2018 with several activities since it establishment.
This organization is headed by Sloomon Mataley as Director with a membership size of over 20-members, with a goal to improve the well-being of youth through sports and academic activities.