Bagley Tournament 2016

26th memorial maxibasketball tournament in commemoration of Nikolay Bagley was held from 18 to 20 of November 2016 in Kyiv. Eleven teams from Ukraine, Lithuania, Moldova, and Belarus took part in the tournament. As usual this event brought to the participants an exiting sports holiday. But the competition and communication with old basketball friends are like the visible part of an iceberg that we can see above the waves. Also veterans inspire other mature people by their example of healthy active aging. Maxibasketball players are committed to the highest human and sporting ideals. No matter how many old injuries or other problems stand against veterans, they accomplish great things, whether they are breaking own fitness records or winning the tournaments. They focus on capabilities rather than limitations. Veterans manifest their strength in the way that they live. Hard training is the ultimate sacrifice that all teammates must choose. When veterans walk on to the playing court they compete with complete determination on victory irrespective of opponents. Ukrainian veterans play for the national team with respect and pride. This is creating a destiny worth living for.

AMICO, Nikolaev played in M55+ age bracket though average age of its team members equaled to 65 years. In the first tournament’s day AMICO competed with Salilita team from Vilnius, Lithuania. The teams were close all the way through this game. The initiative was in the hands of AMICO in the first half of the game 23-21. In the third period Salilita responded with a 17-12 run and carried a 38-35 gap into the decisive fourth frame. And in this last period AMICO allowed the Lithuanian side to finish the game leading 50-44. Shneyder was the leading scorer for AMICO. He finished with a game-high 23 points while Sorokin grabbed 10 points. Salilita’s best scorer Kaulius collected 20 points.

In the second day of the tournament AMICO battled with Kyiv team. After the first half Kyiv took a 25-19 lead. Kyiv started the second half in the same rhythm building a 38-25 advantage in the third quarter. AMICO made a 15-12 run in the last term. But it was not enough to get a win. Kyiv claimed a 50-40 victory. Shneyder and Petrov delivered 21 and 14 points respectively for AMICO. Kyiv’s player Sergeev produced a team-high 12 points.

In the last day of the tournament Krivoy Rog confronted AMICO team. Veterans from Krivoy Rog invited to their team the best players from Zhitomir, Mukachevo, Kharkiv. This united team will compete next year at the 14th FIMBA World Maxibasketball Championship 2017 Italy, Tuscany, Montecatini Termi.

Krivoy Rog led from the first minutes and dominated entire game increasing their lead in each period: 18-11; 17-11; 17-12; 18-5. AMICO’s opponent expanded their lead to insurmountable 31 points (70-39) making the final frame merely a formality. This victory ensured them the first position at the tournament.

The veterans have gained much from their participation in the tournament, whether or not they won medals, and look forward to the next sporting year.    Фоторепортаж