Ube Kojo Secures Opening Victory in 2026 Yamaguchi Prefecture Sports Tournament Basketball

The 2026 Yamaguchi Prefecture Sports Tournament for high school basketball kicked off on Saturday, April 11, with a series of high-stakes first-round matchups. In the opening game of the day, Ube Kojo established early dominance to defeat Hikari 62-53, securing their spot in the next round of the competition.

The contest, which began at 9:00 local time, saw Ube Kojo control the tempo from the opening tip. Ube Kojo entered the second quarter with a 13-7 lead, a gap they widened significantly during the second period. By the finish of the first half, Ube Kojo had pushed the lead to 35-22, outscoring Hikari 22-15 in the second frame.

Hikari attempted a comeback in the second half, narrowing the margin in the third quarter where they slightly outpaced Ube Kojo 15-14. However, Ube Kojo maintained their composure in the final period, holding Hikari to 16 points while scoring 13 themselves to close out the game with a nine-point victory.

First Round Results: Day 1 Overview

While the Ube Kojo and Hikari matchup set the tone for the morning, several other first-round games provided decisive results across the bracket. The tournament’s opening day featured a mix of blowout victories and competitive struggles as teams fought for progression.

In Match B1, Hayatomo delivered a strong performance to defeat Yanai Gakuen 59-42. Hayatomo’s defense proved pivotal, particularly in the second and third quarters, where they held Yanai Gakuen to just 4 and 9 points respectively.

Match E1 saw Kudamatsu dominate Oshima Shosen with a final score of 77-50. Kudamatsu’s offensive surge in the final quarter—scoring 29 points—effectively sealed the result, leaving Oshima Shosen unable to recover from a widening deficit.

The most lopsided result of the recorded opening matches occurred in Match I1, where Shimo-Kansai cruised to a 61-33 victory over Hagi Shoko. Shimo-Kansai established a commanding lead early, dominating the first two quarters with a combined 44-16 run.

For those following the tournament’s progression, these results mark the first step in determining the top high school basketball program in the prefecture for the 2026 season. The Yamaguchi Prefecture High School Athletic Federation continues to oversee the scheduling and reporting of these events.

Day 1 Score Summary

With the first round underway, the winning teams now prepare for the second round of the tournament. Official updates regarding the subsequent matchups and scheduling will be provided as the tournament progresses.

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