Preview: 2016 Sprite Ball tips-off in Accra

Twenty-six Senior High Schools (SHS) begin their quest to win the nation's biggest basketball tournament when the Sprite Ball tips-off today at the El-Wak Stadium in Accra.

The draw for the two-day tournament which was conducted on TV3's "FastBreak" basketball show threw up some scintillating and familiar pairings that are expected to keep fans who throng the venue on the edge of their seats.

In Group A of the boys division, Volta Region champions, Mawuli SHS will square off against Koforidua Secondary Technical School, both schools met in Group B of the 2014 edition of Sprite Ball which was ultimately won by Keta Senior High School.

However, Keta are absent this time round after they failed to qualify for this year’s edition after losing out to Mawuli and Kadjebi in the qualifiers Asato SHS while Koforidua Secondary Technical School (KSTS) and Accra Academy complete Group A.

Elsewhere in Group B, Eastern region powerhouse Pope John Senior High School are paired alongside Takoradi-based St John’s School as well as Adisadel College and Prempeh College.

Another intriguing contest in Group C has Ashanti regional giants Opoku Ware locked up with Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) and dark horses improved Saint Thomas Aquinas SHS as well as new entrants Aggrey Memorial.

The final group in the boys division pits former champions Presbyterian Boys SHS, Legon against debutant Kadjebi-Asato SHS as well as St Augustine's College and Ghana Lebanon and Islamic School (GLISS).

The girls division sees two-time champions, TI Ahmadiya in a battle to negotiate past highly-rated Accra Wesley Girls as well as Eastern regional representative Nkawkaw Girls in group B.

The girls Group A houses Aggrey Memorial SHS, Saint Mary's SHS and Shama SHS while Group C has Mfantsiman Girls SHS, Tema SHS, Kumasi Girls SHS and Awudome SHS.

In all 16 boys and 10 girls schools will slug it out for the opportunity to win the ultimate prizes of GHC 1,500, a trophy, products from Coca Cola Ghana Limited and a trip to South Africa in their respective contests.

2016 Sprite Ball Pairings

GROUP A

Mfanstipim

Mawuli SHS

KSTS

Accra Academy

GROUP B

Pope John SHS

St John’s School

Adisadel College

Prempeh College

GROUP C

Opoku Ware

GSTS

Aggrey Memorial

St Thomas Aquinas

GROUP D

Presec-Legon

Kajebi-Asato

St Augustines

GLISS

GIRLS

GROUP A

Aggrey Memorial

St Mary’s

Shama SHS

GROUP B

TI Amass

Accra Wesley Girls

Nkawkaw SHS

GROUP C

Mfantsiman Girls

Tema SHS

Kumasi Girls SHS

Awudome SHS