After a tight game, INEM defeated colegio Theodoro Hertzl 35-34 in the final of Copa Columbus Boys Basketball championship in the TCS coliseum April 8.

It was a defensive struggle with many fouls by both teams, which kept the score close throughout. In the final minute, the teams traded baskets before Hertzl committed a foul. INEM made the free throw in the final seconds to win the game. TCS was eliminated in the semi-finals against Hertzl 38-26.

“Although we could not get the podium, I am happy to be able to hold a tournament at the school level and be able to measure our work, it helps us identify if we are doing a good job,” Yerson Gomez, Boys HS Basketball Coach, said.

INEM started strong and built a 6-point lead in the 1st quarter. During the second and third quarters, Theodore Hertzl took the lead 21-12. In the last quarter, INEM put the finishing touches and had a lead of 5 points to capture a tight Copa Columbus final.

“The team, as in the whole event was very focused and concentrated. Some aspects that we could observe in the game was that only until the last second there was the uncertainty of who would be the winner,” Yilmar Garcia, Theodore Hertzl Boys Basketball Coach, said.

TCS was eliminated by Hertzl in a game in which they led until the third quarter. They were leading 20-16 until the last two quarters when they lost their winning streak by losing 22-6. When the last whistle rang the score was 38-26.

“I played really well since I felt comfortable. Despite this, some of our team members were really scared because they didn’t have enough experience in tough championships,” Tomas Galeano, TCS Boys Basketball Player, said.

Captain Esteban Botero, and Mateo Zarate, both Grade 11, were the most outstanding players on the TCS team. Another player who had a strong tournament was Tomas Galeano, Grade 10. Even though the profits of the tournament were offering the opportunity to new players to participate and gain experience in this type of competition.

“I stand out and see it as a strength of giving the opportunity to athletes with few minutes of competition. This helps us form new leaders on and off the field,” Gomez said.

INEM got first place, Theodore Hertzl second place while Columbus A and Cumbres got third and fourth place. La Paz and Columbus B placed last. 

“For me, the highlight was having two teams representing the school, that speaks well of the growth that basketball has had in our community,” Gomez said.