Despite the previous deluge from the recent Southern California rains, the annual 2019 Language Systems Basketball tournament held on March 15, 2019 was blessed with a day of plentiful sun and 80 degree weather. Altogether, a perfect day for holding this highly anticipated school sports event in San Pedro, California!
This year’s Basketball Tournament was filled with a multitude of smiling faces and welcoming hugs as both players and spectators from all four Language System campuses (Downtown, South Bay, Pasadena, and Orange County) came together to battle it out in friendly competition for the honor of taking home the title of this year’s basketball champions. Despite the hectic slew of setup activities and duties, Language Systems staff greeted excited students with warm welcoming smiles and well-wishes. As the stands were filled, players from every school went through their warm-up routines under the watchful eyes of their respective basketball coaches.
After a quick exchange of souvenirs and handshakes from opposing teams, the first round of LSI’s annual 2019 Basketball Tournament got on its way. Game 1 proved to be a rough start for Team OC as they lost the first round to the perseverance of the green shirts from Pasadena. On the other side of the gym, a nail-biting game between the titans from Downtown LA (wearing yellow shirts) and South Bay (in blue T-shirts) campuses ended with a very close score of 16 to 14 points respectively.
Game 2 proved to be just as exciting a round as the first game! Despite a renewed sense of determination, the boys from OC were unable to stop Downtown’s momentum and ultimately relinquished round 2 to the yellow shirts. In a very close game 2, Pasadena’s resolve won out against the tenacity from South Bay with a final score of 17 to 14, paving the way for the championship round between Pasadena and Downtown LA.
Despite being outnumbered by a sea of yellow, Pasadena demonstrated a good deal of skill and determination against Downtown LA. For most of the final round, the game was neck-and-neck between both teams! As the game came to its final few minutes, the defending champions from Downtown claimed a repeat victory with a final score of 21-17.
Amidst congratulatory handshakes and heart-felt farewells, the students from all four Language Systems campuses ended the day’s festivities by chowing down on some much-deserved pizza. Ultimately, the 2019 Basketball Tournament came to a close under the sounds of warm cheers and even warmer California sun.
By Hugh Kingston,
(DTLA Program Director)