St. Mary’s Boarding Secondary School, Kitende, has been crowned the 2026 USSSA Girls’ Basketball Champions after a commanding 49-32 victory over arch rivals St. Noa Girls Zzana.
The highly anticipated final, held at Seroma Christian High School on Thursday, drew a massive, energetic crowd. Among the spectators was FUBA President Nasser Sserunjogi, highlighting the significance of the long-standing rivalry between the two powerhouses.
Kitende wasted no time asserting its dominance. Utilising an aggressive high-pressure defence from the opening tip-off, they overwhelmed St. Noa early on, racing to a significant 20-6 lead by the end of the first quarter.
In the second frame, St. Noa attempted to disrupt Kitende’s rhythm by implementing a full-court press. However, Kitende remained composed, navigating the pressure to head into the halftime break with a comfortable 19-point cushion (34-15).
The third quarter saw the tactical structure break down as both teams opted for a fast-paced, transition-heavy style. This resulted in a frantic but evenly matched period, with both sides scoring 10 points apiece.
The final frame was a low-scoring affair, with St. Noa outshooting Kitende 7-5. While a spirited effort, it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap, allowing Kitende to secure the championship and the accompanying bragging rights.
St. Noa entered the final at a disadvantage, missing the services of key players Maxine Modesta Anyango and Adikini, while star player Resty Nanangwe was visibly hampered by an ankle injury throughout the match.
In the third-place playoff, Nabisunsa Girls edged out hosts Seroma High School with a 50-42 victory. This hard-fought win secured the bronze medal for Nabisunsa, claiming the final spot on the podium.
The top four finishers, St. Mary’s Kitende, St. Noa Girls, Nabisunsa Girls, and Seroma High School, will now shift their focus to international competition. They are set to represent Uganda at the East Africa Games, which will be hosted in Tanzania this August.
