The DIS elementary school girls and boys basketball teams competed on their home court during the South Korea Association of International Schools (SKAIS) tournament on May 8. Facing schools from across Korea, the Jets entered the tournament determined to improve on their earlier divisional performance and showcase their development throughout the season.

In preparation for the tournament, both the girls and the boys teams focused heavily on defensive communication, fast transitions and fluid ball movement under pressure with the help of Student Coach Minori alongside Coach Loutsch. “Minori and I started to coach the elementary basketball team three years ago, and she did a wonderful job as the most experienced coach,” Coach Loutsch said. “We are going to miss her insight and help for the upcoming seasons.”

The girls opened the games with strong momentum and quickly established themselves as one of the top teams. DIS A team began pool play against Busan Foreign School (BFS) with a dominant 20-1 victory. Controlling the pace of the games from the opening whistle, they carried their confidence into the next matchup against ISB. Consistent shooting and aggressive defense allowed DIS to secure another prevailing 20-6 win and advance to the semi-finals. 

After lunch, DIS rematched against ISB in the semi-finals. They maintained their intensity throughout the game and secured a commanding 26-1 victory, leaving only one final hurdle between them and the championship title.  

The finals proved to be the most intense matchup of the day, with DIS trailing ISB in the first quarter. However, consecutive baskets against ISB’s defense sparked a comeback and shifted the momentum in the Jets’ favor. Tight defense pressure and quick transitions allowed DIS to slowly pull ahead as the game progressed. The girls eventually defeated ISB 20-15 to secure the championship trophy. 

The girls B, C and D teams also displayed immense effort and coordination throughout the tournament, with every team finishing the day with at least one victory. Fifth grader Sophie Akl reflected on the team’s improvement over the course of the season. “I improved a lot in dribbling or shooting the ball as I played more,” Akl said. “Our student coach, Akari, helped us build our confidence and also taught us how to press effectively during defense.”

Looking ahead, Coach Loutsch encouraged younger athletes to continue pursuing basketball. “I see a lot of potential in the remaining younger players,” Coach Loustch said. “As for the current fifth graders, I hope they continue to pursue basketball in middle school as well.” 

On the other side of the court, the boys also delivered a strong performance throughout the tourney and showcased major improvements. DIS Boys A team opened the day with a convincing 26-7 victory against AIS, using quick ball movement to control the pace early in the game. Although the Jets later fell to BFS 16-41 and ISB 18-30, they continued competing with intensity against some of the tournament’s strongest opponents. 

Meanwhile, the DIS B team demonstrated strong teamwork and resilience throughout the day. After a narrow 10-12 loss against BFS, the team regrouped with sharper transitions in later matches. DIS later fell to ISB 12-26, but players continued to pressure opponents and fought for possession until the final whistle. 

Despite the results, the team remained positive and focused on development throughout the tournament. “We ran a lot of plays and individual drills,” Student Coach Charlie Park said. “I think the other school teams had better physical attributes, and they played well. Still, the team played well, and I hope they had fun working as a team.”

One of the strongest turnarounds of the competition came from DIS 3, as the team bounced back in its final game with a 6-0 closeout victory against the Bears. Student coach Justin Son credited the team’s success to both teamwork and player development throughout the season. “The tournament was a reflection of the students’ hard work,” Son said. “Everyone managed to score, which was very meaningful for the team.”

Beyond the results on the scoreboard, the tournament also created memorable experiences for the young athletes. “A memorable moment in the game was when the other third graders came to cheer for us in the middle of the match,” C team player Teddy Kim said. “I was very delighted to see my friends support me.”

The tournament marked another important step forward for the DIS primary basketball program, highlighting the continued development of both players and coaches throughout the season. With strong performances, growing teamwork and heightened spirit, the Jets concluded the season with optimism for the future. 

Gallery • 11 Photos

Esther Choi

Third grader Rio Son lowers his shoulder as he practices his dribbling during lunch time training, perfecting last-minute techniques. Son’s unwavering commitment and effort sharpen his focus and strengthen his handling.