BOYOLALI - Pradita Dirgantara High School in Boyolali has emerged as a formidable force in the Honda Developmental Basketball League (DBL) with KFC 2022 Central Java Series-South Region.
While the school fell short of clinching the championship in the previous season, the potential of their players suggests that Pradita Dirgantara High School is poised to make opponents exercise high vigilance if they face them on the DBL stage.
One of their noteworthy achievements came in the recent 2022 Solo League, where Pradita Dirgantara's boys' basketball team secured a commendable fourth-place finish in the competition.
During the Honda DBL with KFC roadshow at the local school on October 1st, both the basketball team and the students displayed great enthusiasm and high confidence as they geared up to participate in the DBL event. Throughout the roadshow, the school echoed with continuous cheers.
In this season, Pradita Dirgantara High School is entering the competition with both their boys' and girls' teams. Both squads are prepared to face any opponent in the upcoming Honda DBL with KFC event at Sritex Arena, scheduled from October 6th to 15th.
"Our boys' team has participated in the DBL twice and always made it to the round of 16. In 2019, we lost to the Solo champion, Warga High School. Then in DBL (2021) in January (2022), we were defeated by Terang Bangsa SemarangHigh School, who also emerged as finalists in that season," revealed Mikael Bagus, the Assistant Coach of Pradita Dirgantara High School's Basketball Team.
Mikael envisions the boys' team advancing further than in the previous season. As for the girls' team, the hope is that they can pull off some surprises.
"The girls' team is making their debut in the 5 on 5 category. Although it's their first time, I have no doubt because they have shown exceptional understanding," he affirmed.
Considering the fierce competition in DBL, preparations have been underway well in advance. This encompasses strategic planning, physical conditioning, match experience, and mental readiness. Nevertheless, a strong sense of self- assurance remains the cornerstone of this school's basketball team. Most players embarked on their basketball journey during high school, signifying that they all started from the same baseline in this sport.
"Our initial target is to secure a spot in the fantastic four. Our preparation period was quite condensed. We commenced training only at the end of July. Yet, it progressed quite well as we had the opportunity to participate in local events in Solo. This not only bolstered the players' experience but also allowed us to identify areas for improvement within the team," Mikael concluded.