Jinhua Team competes against Yuyao Team at Jinhua Sports Center Gymnasium. [Photo/Tide News]
Jinhua Team clinched a thrilling 76-73 win against Yuyao from Ningbo at Jinhua Sports Center Gymnasium on the evening of Aug 17. It was Jinhua's debut match in the second phase of the Zhejiang Provincial City Basketball League — or ZheBA.
"Collective power outshines solo strength," said Head Coach Zheng Wu. The squad — composed of amateur stars handpicked city-wide — demonstrated great teamwork during the competition that finally led to the victory.
Off-court festivities paralleled on-court intensity. An intangible cultural heritage market showcased regional treasures including traditional bamboo-weaving crafts, paper cuttings, and fingered citrons. Meanwhile, performances lit up the square outside the gymnasium.
The provincial intangible cultural heritage item "Turtle Serving Tea" has appeared in ZheBA's competitions many times. Performers mimic turtle movements, executing complex flips and spins while balancing a cup of tea on a tray without spilling a drop.
Yang Rongdi, a representative inheritor, said it is a cultural output to integrate intangible heritage with such a large sporting event.
A big highlight was the Nine-Lion Dance, a national intangible cultural heritage item in Yongkang county-level city, in which hidden operators maneuvered nine puppet lions chasing a ball.
The audience watch the Nine Lion Dance outside the gymnasium. [Photo/jinhua.com.cn]
Hu Zhiwei, Party secretary of Shiqiaotou village in Yongkang, said that the Nine-Lion Dance troupe will tour upcoming competitions in other cities during the ZheBA.
