Students from BUPS/BIS travelled to Madrid in Spain in February to take part in the bi-annual 'Iberian Basketball Tournament', organized by the Mediterranean Association of International Schools. Competing against international schools from Spain, Portugal and England, the Boys' and Girls' teams faced very high quality opposition in an excellent competition.
In the early stages, both teams played well, winning the majority of their games. The Girls were eventually edged out by just 1 point in the 3rd/4th place play-off against Southbank International School, London. The Boys progressed to the Final after a winning basket in the final second against the American International School of Lisbon, and then crushed the team from the American School of Madrid 36-19 in the final, retaining the title the school also won two years ago.
Five students were selected by the referees and coaches for "All Star"awards. The teams were:
Boys: Turgut Akar (Captain) (All Star), Onur Murat (All Star), Alp Rodoplu (All Star), Acar Bayazıt; Akın Öncül, Berk Özgür, Yener Kutluay. Coach Karl Wilkinson (Head of P.E. Department, BUPS/BIS)
Girls: Ece Ergen (Captain), Erica Augustenborg (All Star), Aslı Veliecioğlu (All Star), Yaprak Kurtsal, Merve Yeşilada, Selin Bakay, Gizem Reyal, Vicky van der Wildt. Coach Emma Hanmer (BUPS/BS P.E. Department)
