TOP Basketball Classes showed their ‘TOP’ form in the secondary school division.
Ansan TOP won the U14 final against Team Six on Tuesday, 37-28, at the Inje Multipurpose Gymnasium in Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, in the ‘Sky Downed Inje 2024 National Youth Basketball Championship’. Ansan TOP, who lost to Team Six in last year’s final at the same venue, took revenge and lifted the title.
The front line of Vincent and Park Jung-hoo held opposing ace Kim Da-an to just four points. Under the leadership of Park Jun-hyung, Ansan TOP harassed their opponents with strong trap defense and help defense, 토토 with Park exploding for 15 points to win the Ace Showdown and clinch the title for the team.
TOP’s victory wasn’t the only one in the U14 category. In the U13 final, Ansan TOP fought hard against Gangnam Samsung, one of the favorites. Ansan TOP, led by the play of Jeon Jin-woo and Kim Jae-won, took the lead early in the second half and nearly pulled off an upset. Despite losing the lead in the final minutes of the game, 27-32, their runner-up finish was all the more valuable.
Ansan TOP won the U14 title and U13 runner-up, while Siheung TOP finished third in the U13 category. The TOP Basketball Classes were pleased with the results, proving that they are a powerhouse in the secondary school division.
“All of my friends from middle school 1 and 2 are similar in color and have excellent abilities,” said Park Jun-hyung, director of Ansan TOP. We prepared a modified defense to improve our competitiveness, and I think the players responded well. The first team finished third in Jecheon, and the second team lost to Team Six in the finals last year, so they must have been highly motivated. I’m proud of them for playing with confidence,” he said with satisfaction.
The team’s performance in the KBL Youth Tournament exceeded expectations and improved their organizational strength, and they became a powerhouse in the secondary school division by winning the National Youth Tournament in Inje.
“They have some ups and downs because they are children, but I believe they will grow even more if they can improve this part. They are my students, but they are really the best. Especially, I would like to say thank you to the parents for their care and support, which has given me strength,” he said.
TOP Basketball Class, which won two secondary school prizes at the Ansan TOP, as well as the third place at the Siheung TOP, heralded a more aggressive course.