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Game 9: South Africa U21 107 vs. Nigeria U21 85 (58978)

Record: 6-1

Standing: Currently 1st place - Locked in to advance to the semi-finals
(Note: In this 2nd round, after each remaining team plays each other, the top 4 teams will head to the semi-finals where the 1st seed plays the 4th seed and the 2nd seed will play the 3rd seed)

Though it appeared to be just another game, the team came out hungry to prove themselves in this one to avenge the teams' only close loss in the last round. Though Nigeria came out with more enthusiasm again, this time the Baby Boks were ready.

- Gonasilan Sono seems like he's always bringing something new to the table. This time around he led the team in +/- with a +24, was 2nd in the team in scoring with 17 points, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and chipped in 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal.
- Thoibo Lonco came out with one mission this game: Get buckets. He shot 9 for 14 from the field and led the team with 19 points.
- The bench came out strong in this one with the 19-year-old trio of Shafilshuna Machemko, Thikhathali Zibi and Yera Mji all scoring in double-digits and ended up being the teams' 3rd through 5th leading scorers for the game.
- Every player that received playing time, which was 11 out of 12, scored points in this one.
- The coaching staff of Lesley1226, FeelthePressure and mathew13693 did an outstanding job to help the team prepare well for this rematch.

Player of the Game: Gonasilan Sono (48754211) trained by Giorgio950

With the results of today's games, the Baby Boks, Al Maghrib and Misr/Egypt all have secured their place in the semi-finals. The final three weeks of games will determine seedings and whether or not Senegal or Nigeria will be the 4th team to advance.

This week, we face an always tough Al Maghrib squad that we escaped with a 1-point victory against the last time we faced off so we anticipate it's going to be another good match.


Thanks, Giorgio. You were right and your players were great for us today!

Congratulations and to win the next game.
By the way, the staff costs me the same as the roster 200K.
Best regards

Last edited by Giorgio950 at 2/24/2021 7:36:59 AM

Thanks. And I appreciate your financial sacrifice. It is being put to good use!

Game 10: Al Maghrib 65 vs. South Africa 78 (58981)

Record: 7-1

Standing: Currently 1st place - Locked in to advance to the semi-finals and for a top 3 seed
(Note: In this 2nd round, after each remaining team plays each other, the top 4 teams will head to the semi-finals where the 1st seed plays the 4th seed and the 2nd seed will play the 3rd seed)

The team put more effort into this one against a tough Al Maghrib opponent and came out with a low-scoring victory in this one.

- Umi Mugabe rallied the troops behind another double-double performance, posting a team-high 19 points and 16 rebounds.
- The team kept Al Maghrib to shooting only 32.9% from the field (24/73).

Player of the Game: Umi Mugabe (48097274) trained by JimyW

A closer look at the standings and remaining schedule,

- The 1st seed in the tournament is up for grabs with the Baby Boks, Misr/Egypt and Al Maghrib all neck to neck in the standings.
- With Senegal beating Nigeria this week, the race is still alive for both of those teams to have a shot to advance as the 4th seed.
- Al Maghrib and Misr/Egypt play each other next week in another battle of contenders.
- We'll then face-off against Misr/Egypt in the final week of this round to close out this three-week slugfest of the teams at the top.

Next week the Baby Boks face off against a potentially desperate Senegal squad who are in a must-win game against us to even have a chance advance to the semi-finals. The team will be preparing for another close contest!

South Africa's U21 team has moved up in the rankings (https://www.buzzerbeater.com/World/rankings.aspx?group=2)!

The Baby Boks started the season as the 64th ranked U21 team in the world and have now moved up to the 53rd ranked team. This is additionally significant because, as of right now, we are the top-ranked African U21 team with other countries not far behind - Senegal (54), Misr/Egypt (56), Al Maghrib (61) and Nigeria (65).

While rankings may come and go, we'll pause a moment to acknowledge the recent strides of the team that this reflects. The team will continue to push forward to further climb the ranks!

Nice!

Way to go ! :)

Thanks Lesley and CrazyBob!

I also wanted to give a special shoutout to JimyW as Umi Mugabe (48097274) has climbed into 8th place on the list of all-time rebounders in South Africa U21 history! Since the season isn't over yet, we'll see how many more legends he can pass up.

Great victory today and also with less attitude.
Congratulations

Very nice W tonight! The last game vs. Egypt will determine #1. GL!

Game 11: Senegal 89 vs. South Africa 116 (58984)

Record: 8-1

Standing: Currently 1st place - Locked in to advance to the semi-finals and for a top 2 seed
(Note: In this 2nd round, after each remaining team plays each other, the top 4 teams will head to the semi-finals where the 1st seed plays the 4th seed and the 2nd seed will play the 3rd seed)

The Baby Boks pulled off a decisive win against a Senegal team who put in more enthusiasm as they were fighting for their life in the tournament.

- Umi Mugabe continued to lead the squad with an incredible all-around performance posting a 20 points, including 2-3 from the 3-point line, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 0 turnovers. The man can not be stopped!
- All of the other starters had strong games as well with Thoibo Lonco leading the team with 21 points, Asanda Hadebe and Elphus Siamusiye both chipping in 17 points on efficient shooting nights and Gonasilan Sono continued his do-it-all performance with 7 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks.
- Yera Mji was a spark plug off the bench scoring 16 points in his 15 minutes of playing time.

Player of the Game: Umi Mugabe (48097274) trained by JimyW

Our victory over Senegal and Misr/Egypt's victory over Al Maghrib lock-in two of the semi-final spots as Al Maghrib will be the 3rd seed and Nigeria will be the 4th seed. That means the final game of this round is a significant one as the Baby Boks will face-off against the other top-ranked squad in Misr/Egypt where the winner will take 1st place in the standings and the top seed in the semi-finals. It's a big game and we'll need all hands on deck so please be sure to continue to keep those gameshapes up and as great as they have been so far this season!


Thanks Giorgio and Donny!