The high school girls’ basketball teams traveled to (Busan Foreign School) BFS to clash at the rim for the (South Korea Associations for International Schools) SKAIS tournament on March 1. After a gritty battle at the (Korean International Schools Activities Conference) KISAC conference, they aimed to claim the trophy at the season finale.
With only three varsity teams, the games followed a round-robin format, where the top two winners advanced to the finals. However, the absence of standout players Minori Kojima (9) due to an injury from the preceding KISAC tournament and Victoria Kang (number 10) due to a schedule conflict forced the Jets to adjust their rotation and defensive schemes.
Starters point guard Apple Jun (7), small forward Lily Lee (4), shooting guard Ellen Cho (0), power forward Leewen Wang (1), and center Nayoung Kim (14) stepped onto the court for the opening matchup against (International School of Busan) ISB. Carrying over their 3-2 zone defense from KISAC, the Jets’ strategy focused on shutting down key opposing guards adept at shooting threes.
As the whistle blew, Kim initiated the offense, launching a cross-court pass to start the attack. However, rushed shot attempts and the Bears’ rapid transitions made it difficult for the girls to settle in. While they effectively contested open layups, the Bears set foot on three-pointers. By halftime, they found themselves trailing behind by eight.
Determined to close the gap, DIS ramped up their intensity in the second half. As their offense found its rhythm, they created more scoring opportunities, fueled by sharper passes and dominant rebounds. In the last quarter, they tightened the game with quick ball movements and aggressive putbacks. Despite the late surge, they fell short, losing 19-29.
Still, spirits remained high as the team prepared for the semi-finals. “The girls tried their best to overcome challenges on the way. We were short on players, but other girls stepped up and we played really well,” said Coach Park.
Soon after, DIS faced the home team in their second game. Aware of the BFS Sharks’ speed and defensive pressure, Coach Park emphasized quick transitions to limit their fast-break opportunities.
The girls wasted no time, striking first with Jun’s (7) clean field goal to set the tone. The Sharks quickly responded with an open layup, as both teams exchanged baskets. The first quarter ended with the squad trailing 6:8.
Unfortunately, momentum swung in the second half. A series of turnovers from risky plays and lofted passes allowed BFS to pull ahead with counterattacks. DIS struggled to keep pace, ultimately falling 55:17.
Despite the back-to-back losses, they had one last chance to advance to the finale. From the tip-off, the Jets came out aggressive against the Bears, dominating them down through efficient ball movements. From layups to well-executed free throws, the girls maintained their lead for most of the game.
With ten seconds left, the Jets clung to a one-point lead on the brink of their first victory. In the closing moments, ISB all-star Taehee Lee Eder sank a clutch shot, flipping the score to 22:21 and sealing their loss. “I was so sad that we lost. I think our team is much better when it comes to team plays, and I was confused why we couldn’t win,” said Wang.
However, the girls’ relentless hustle did not go unnoticed by their competitors. “I think the best thing about the DIS team is that they’re always active. I never see them get tired, and their plays made us push ourselves a lot,” Eder said. Junior Apple Jun (7) and senior Nayoung Kim (14) earned the all tournament award, while varsity secured third place overall.
JV entered the tournament with starters Grace Cho (7) as point guard, Belle Kim (12) as shooting guard, Vivian Lee (3) as small forward, Dana Lee (23) as power forward, and Reina Li (21) as center. Although the team made improvements, they wrapped up the competition in third, securing one hard-earned victory.
The Jets edged past the ISB Bears with a 10:5 win, but struggled in a mismatch against BFS (28:0). In their final matchup, they dueled with a combined squad of Atherton International School (AIS) and Gyeongnam International Foreign School (GIFS) players, but fell short of a second victory (10:4).
With two senior starters bidding a farewell, the squad plans to build on the energy and work ethic they leave behind. “We played hard and put our energy into the game to finish strong. I’ll miss this team a lot, and I wish them the best even after I’m gone,” said senior JV captain Dana Lee (23).
Though the Jets didn’t return with a trophy, their steady improvement and genuine passion inspire optimism for the future. “I almost cried after the game. Seeing the passion, effort, and dedication everyone brought to the court was incredibly moving,” said Coach Park. As the 24-25 basketball season comes to an end, the girls shift their focus to soccer in the spring.
