Our under-19 basketball team recently took part in the 6th edition of the ISSO basketball tournament at CHIREC International School, Hyderabad. This event gave us a chance to showcase our efforts from the past year and compete against other IB schools from all over India. The experience was not only about playing basketball but also about learning and growing as a team and individuals.
LO1 – Identify your own strengths and develop areas for personal growth
The competition was tough, and we faced several challenges, especially when playing against strong teams like Indus Valley. By the second quarter, they were ahead by 12 points. We found it hard to score, and our team wasn’t as coordinated as we needed to be. These difficulties showed us the areas we needed to work on, both individually and as a team.
LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
This tournament really helped us improve by pushing us out of our comfort zone. Normally, in practice, we play against the same teams, but at this national-level event, every team had its own playing style. The strategies we used in local tournaments didn’t work here, and we had to think on our feet. Against Indus Valley, despite their big lead, we didn’t give up. We kept pushing and used what we had learned from our coach, and in the end, we won 36-28.
LO4 –  Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
The tournament was full of obstacles, and we had to stay focused and keep trying no matter what. We faced some very strong teams and had tough matches, including a loss in the qualifying round. But even though we didn’t win that game, it was a great learning experience. Each match made us better, and we listened to feedback from our coaches and teammates to improve. We learned to face our weaknesses and keep working hard.
LO5 – Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
Basketball is all about teamwork. With only five players on the court, everyone’s role is important, and we have to rely on each other. The fast pace of the game means we need to make quick decisions and trust our teammates.This tournament reminded us that we win and lose together.
Even though we didn’t win the qualifying match, the experience was incredibly valuable. We learned a lot about ourselves, gained new skills, and realized the importance of hard work and teamwork in overcoming challenges.
Video reflection: