Lions Roar at the 34th Annual Basketball Jamboree
March 12, 2026
The AIS-Salzburg basketball teams put on an exciting weekend of skill, determination, and teamwork at the 34th Annual Boys and Girls Basketball Jamboree. Both the boys and girls squads fought hard on their home court, with the boys earning a third-place finish and the girls battling through intense matchups to claim a strong second-place finish.
The weekend was made even more special by the incredible support from the AIS-Salzburg community. Over a dozen teachers, past and present, resident staff, and many students attended as fans or scorekeeping volunteers, cheering on the Lions every step of the way. Reflecting on the event, teacher Mrs. Kasberger said: “It was amazing to see the amount of effort the players put forth, and I’m always impressed at the talent displayed on the court by everyone. While competition was fierce, good sportsmanship was abundant from players to coaches—everyone seemed to act like this was a fun tournament and wanted to keep it that way.”
Photo: Teachers and resident staff showed great support for our basketball teams at the 34th Annual AIS-Salzburg Basketball Jamboree
Entering the tournament with experience, depth, and a full roster, the AIS-Salzburg boys’ team looked poised for a deep run. Throughout the round-robin games, they proved to be one of the most competitive squads in the field, battling through tight matchups and demonstrating the progress they have made as a group over the past several seasons.
A narrow, come-from-behind loss to Amadeus placed AIS-Salzburg second in their bracket, setting up a challenging semifinal against a very strong International Christian School of Vienna team, which eventually went on to win the tournament. Despite a determined effort, the team struggled early against ICSV’s defensive pressure and found themselves in too deep a deficit to overcome.
Photo: Leo the Lion eavesdrops as coach DeWitt instructs his players during the deciding pool play match versus Amadeus International School.
However, the boys responded impressively in the third-place game, showing both resilience and determination. With team captain Luka S. sidelined due to injury, Ernö V. stepped up in a big way, catching fire from beyond the arc and hitting several three-pointers in the third quarter to help the Lions pull away for the win.
Coach Nick DeWitt praised the performance, highlighting Ernö V’s impact in the decisive game. “He really carried our team through that game, especially after losing our All-Tournament recipient, Luka S., in the previous game due to injury,” DeWitt said. “He looked like our MVP in that last game.”
Even from the sideline, captain Luka S. continued to support his teammates and reflected proudly on the group’s effort. “I am very proud of my team for getting third place,” Luka S. said. “We lost two tough games, but we came back in the third-place game and showed all the hard work and dedication we put in throughout the season. The support from our teachers, friends, and parents really helped us get back on track.”
While the result on the court was impressive, DeWitt was equally proud of the team’s growth and camaraderie throughout the tournament. “Seeing this brotherhood develop over the years—and especially during this weekend—is the best success for the team I could ask for as a coach,” he added. “Everyone supported each other, stayed positive, and played like a true team.”
Photo: The boys’ team celebrate the 3rd place trophy for the second year in a row.. Luka S. poses with coach DeWitt following the tournament
The Lady Lions also delivered an outstanding performance at the tournament, battling their way to an impressive second-place finish after a weekend of determined and disciplined play.
In the championship game, the Lady Lions faced a strong St. Gilgen International School squad led by a talented club player known for her speed, shooting, and ability to attack the basket. AIS-Salzburg responded with a disciplined defensive strategy, frequently triple-teaming St. Gilgen’s star player while the opposition applied similar pressure to AIS-Salzburg’s own standout, Nastia B., who also plays club basketball and competes with a local Women’s Bundesliga 2 team in Salzburg.
Photo: The Lady Lions finished in 2nd place at the 34th Annual Basketball Jamboree for the second year in a row. They last won the tournament in 2024 in overtime versus ICS Vienna. In 2025, they lost by one point in the championships, also to St. Gilgen.
With both teams focusing on shutting down the opposing stars, the final turned into a gritty defensive battle where every basket mattered. The Lady Lions executed their defensive plan extremely well, holding St. Gilgen to just 23 points, far below the totals they had posted earlier in the tournament. In the end, however, St. Gilgen’s deeper bench and greater experience helped them edge out the victory, as AIS-Salzburg’s six-player rotation began to wear down late in the game.
To reach the championship, the Lady Lions first had to overcome their biggest rival, the International Christian School of Vienna, in a crucial semifinal matchup. With Nastia B. drawing constant double- and triple-teams, teammates Natalija J. and Carla H. delivered key screens late in the fourth quarter that freed Nastia for several crucial scoring opportunities, helping AIS-Salzburg pull away for the win.
Photo: Nastia B., drains a shot during a win versus ICS Vienna that secured the Lions spot in the championship game.
Several players made important contributions throughout the tournament. Chantal S. ran the offense with confidence at point guard, consistently creating opportunities for her teammates while also knocking down several jump shots, including two three-pointers. Tamara S. had a breakout performance in the opening game, scoring 10 points, and also took on the challenging defensive assignment of guarding St. Gilgen’s star player for much of the tournament. Sophia D. provided strength on the boards with numerous offensive and defensive rebounds, while 9th grader Carla H. earned a starting role through her strong defensive play and became a key factor in the team’s success against both ICS Vienna and St. Gilgen—two teams that had defeated the Lions by more than 20 points earlier in the season.
Photos: (Left) #7 Toma was all smiles after scoring a career high 10 points versus Riverside International School while Carla H. (right) embraces the concept of in-your-face defense.
Coach David Burns praised the team’s effort and resilience after the tournament. “The girls gave me everything they had and left it all on the court,” he said. “They can be proud that they defeated a good team in ICSV and almost beat a team that had scored 50 or more points twice in the tournament.”
The championship game also marked the final appearance for the team’s graduating seniors. “It is bittersweet. I am saddened to say goodbye to the four senior girls who played their last games on Saturday,” Burns added. “At the same time, I am excited about the new players who will be returning next year, as they show a lot of promise.”
Congratulations to Luka S., Nastia B. and Chantal S. for being nominated to the All-Tournament Teams by the players and coaches of the tournament. Special thank you to all of our helpers, both students and staff, for coming together to pull off another successful Jamboree weekend.