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Game 7: Senegal U21 70 vs. South Africa U21 83 (58401)

End of Round 1 Record: 6-1

Standing: Currently 1st place

Our team put more into this one against Senegal and the game was closer than the final score showed. Here's what the end of each quarter looked like.

After the 1st Quarter: 22-22
After the 2nd Quarter: 40-38 South Africa
After the 3rd Quarter: 56-54 South Africa

The team finally pulled away in the 4th though free throws padded our score at the end of the game and hide how competitive of a game this was against a tough team.

- This game can be summed up in two words. Umi Mugabe. Everyone on the team was struggling offensively so big Umi decided to put the team on his back and came through with his 5th double-double of the season with 25 points on 9-17 shooting from the field, including two 3's, and 19 rebounds.
- The glue guy, Gonasilan Sono, also came through with his own double-double of 10 points and 16 rebounds.

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

Round 1 has been completed and the Baby Boks head into Round 2 with a very slim point differential lead helping them keep 1st for now. With Tounes/Tunisia and Ghana not advancing, their wins and point differential are not carried over into the next round so we start the round with a 4-1 record.

It's going to be a slugfest from here on out with the current top 4 teams all being so close in the standings that each week could drop a team from 1 to 4. And don't count out the Senegal team that currently sits at 5th as they just experienced some tough losses but they are not an opponent to be overlooked and are surely seeking to leave their mark on this round.

First up in Round 2 is Al Jazair/Algeria!

Interesting 1st round. Keep it up!

Game 8: Al Jazair 54 vs. South Africa 100 (58976)

Record: 5-1

Standing: Currently 1st place
(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)

We expected a strong performance from our team today and they did not disappoint.

- In 28 minutes, Elphus Siamusiye came through with an all-around game with a team-high 26 points, including hitting 5 threes, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.
- The double-doubles keep coming with Umi Mugabe (13 points and 10 rebounds) and Asanda Hadebe (10 points and 11 rebounds) each securing one.
- The defense really clamped down in this one, holding Al Jazair/Algeria to just 54 points on 24% shooting from the field, including keeping their team to only 8 points in the 3rd quarter.

Player of the Game: Elphus Siamusiye (48754191) trained by A Warrior

Up next in Round 2 is a rematch against the Baby Boks' one loss from the previous round as we face-off against a good Nigeria squad.


Thanks Ebene! Was a strong round for us, though of course would've loved to have won out the entire round, but we're moving forward and hoping to have a good showing in this second round too.

Good luck for the next game, although I think we can win them.

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 02/24/2021 07:36:59

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 ! :)