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Saints vs Maritzburg College the basketball derby to end all derbies!
FAST Breaks, Lay-Ups, Double Dribbles, Bank Shots and Box Outs –
We can expect it all and more come the 6.30pm refs’ Jump-Ball signal and the long-awaited Classic Clash, the PMB Derby to end all Derbies, hits lift-off!!!
Yes KZN10 sports lovers it’s St Charles College firsts vs Maritzburg College firsts 6.30pm this Frosty Friday Night in the KZN capital… and in Saints’ revamped and freshly-named Samukele Khumalo Arena, in honour of the former Saints head prefect and basketball, rugby and soccer star Samke Khumalo, whose life was so tragically cut short when it promised to add so much to our country South Africa.
First team line-ups
Among the glittering additions to this magnificent Saints theatre of basketball are glass-fibre drop-down boards and new stands that have added huge value to the ever-increasing KZN10 demand for fan seats in the pressure-cooker and precocious skill-set bouquet served up by our flagship KZN10 basketball teams, which include the likes of Michaelhouse, Kearsney College, DHS and Westville to name just four.
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While the Harwin Road Side of the Samke Khumalo arena remains much the same, the court at the Astro End has been moved forward to enable a new bank of stands to accommodate the Saints boys, while the visiting boys populate the raised stands at the Gym End and the adult spectator stands that run the length of the Court of Hoops and parallel to Saints premier rugby field, Old Orchards, has been considerably heightened.
Yes fans of KZN10 much of the KZN10 basketball fan-focus is on this long-awaited and much-anticipated St Charles College Maritzburg College showdown.
Those in the know are saying pre-game that it’s way too tough to call a winner but what appears clear is that the team bringing their A-Game will prevail… and if history teaches us anything, by the slenderest of margins.
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Sadly the wet weather forced the officials to cancel all the early matches on the outside courts but the age-group boys who have missed out on their match will definitely not allow that disappointment to diminish their support for their senior schoolmates tonight.
The scheduled St Charles College vs Maritzburg College fixtures, many of which were cancelled due to the slippery outside-courts’ surfaces:
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- Current Saints first team head coach and Head of the Upper School, the former SA standout national basketballer Mr Darren Holcomb, has enviable tactical and technical back-up from the full-time Saints Basketball Specialist Mr Craig Gilchrist, who is also the current SA men’s head coach and a legend of the SA game in his playing days.
Given that the Saints Old Boys are expected to be out in force, one can surmise that Saints go into into this fixture as slight favourites.
But Maritzburg College under head coach Zeke Oosthuis have bounced back from an early-season defeat to Westville and have got their game back on track. Significantly, this week’s training sessions have revealed this: The Red Black & White line-up are in determined mood for an upset.
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It’s set up for a wonderful occasion. The atmosphere, Razmattaz, drum beats, war cries and so much more from both sets of supporters will add an intoxicating rhythm to a festive and passionate atmosphere.
May the best team win!
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*****
SATURDAY
Michaelhouse vs DHS
This is another cracker set to play out at House.
Michaelhouse must go into this fixture as favourites as they have been the most dominant of the KZN10 schools and haven’t been beaten by any of the local sides the last season. Playing in front of their expectant supporters will surely motivate them to greater heights.
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DHS head to Michaelhouse after a tough loss at Kearsney. They will be looking to bounce back with a determined display.
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Hilton College vs Northwood
Both schools will be looking to get back on the winning trail with this KZN10 fixture.
The weekend seems set for a determined push by one of these schools.
Hilton will be better as new head coach Ayanda Shange gets his troops organised. Northwood will be at their plucky best.
Kearsney College vs Clifton College
Clifton head to Kearsney quietly confident of a good performance after a solid early-season win against Northwood.
Kearsney, who have set themselves apart as the top basketball programme in the KZN10, will look to dominate at home.
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Westville vs Glenwood
Westville host Glenwood at home with the Westville 2nd team taking on the Glenwood 1st team.
Latest Water polo results 23 January
Water Polo was also in action over this last weekend with all the KZN10 schools competing against each other.
Clifton VS Northwood
Clifton started the year off with a bang scoring a staggering 109 goals whilst conceding only 27. With 7 wins and 1 loss the bragging rights for this week belong to Clifton. Next up for the Northwood 1st team is a trip to Bloemfontein to take part in Itec Grey College 1st team water polo tournament whilst the rest of the school takes on HIlton College at home. Clifton head to Kearsney College
Glenwood VS Saint Charles
Glenwood water polo fared a little better than their Basketball counterparts by winning 2 drawing 1 and losing 1 against Saint Charles. It is worth noting that Saint Charles did not play the Glenwood 1st team. Next up for Glenwood is a battle of the blue bloods as they head to the Chad Le Clos aquatics centre to take on powerhouse Westville Boys who have swept aside Maritzburg College and Michaelhouse the last 2 weekends. Saint Charles take the short trip across the city to take College.
Kearsney VS DHS
A dominant display from Kearnsey as they won 4 lost 1 to DHS on the day, conceding only 15 goals but putting 59 goals past DHS. Next up for DHS is a trip to Michaelhouse, whilst Kearsney can look forward to Clifton College playing them at home.
Michaelhouse VS Westville
Michaelhouse showed some promise as their U14’s had some convincing wins. Overall on the day Michaelhouse won 4 and lost 5. Next up for Michaelhouse is DHS at home whilst Westville hosts Glenwood in midweek fixture on the 22 January 2019.
Hilton College VS Maritzburg College
Hilton showed once again that they are class act of the Midlands KZN10 schools with convincing day against College. Winning 4 drawing 4 and losing 1 doesn’t do justice to their dominance as their wins came with a combined score of 59 to 6. Next up for Hilton College is the long trip to Stellenbosch to take part in the Paul Roos festivall whilst the school takes on Northwood at home. College next host Saint Charles College
22 January
Westville VS Glenwood
Westville again highlighted their status as a water polo powerhouse with a convincing afternoon against visitors Glenwood. Westville on the day played 8 won 7 and lost 1, with an average wining margin of 11 goals to 3, indicating just how dominant they were from top to bottom.
KZN10 pace bowlers, wrist & finger spinners, this is for you
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
OK here’s the deal. You can make 440 for two declared on any given KZN10 Super Saturday but that’s not much use if you can’t then get the 10 wickets needed to win the match.
(Sure there’s the limited-overs format followed out of necessity and coupled with logistical issues – transport of groups of teams on any given KZN10 Saturday – but what I am getting at it is that we are aiming to develop wicket-taking bowlers not containment safety-first cricketers).
As one climbs the cricket ladder of age-groups, with its better-quality cricket and stronger opposition, by and large it’s the bowlers who (should) win matches, especially when backed by outstanding catchers and fielders. And a reasonable total supplied by your batters of course.
Feature image caption: Glenwood 2019 grade 12 Lifa Ntanzi had a stellar December/January, making the 2018 SA Schools and SA U19 Feb/Mar 2019 tour teams. Athletic, aggressive, accurate, fast bowler Lifa’s got the goods. RenateMontyPhotos
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* Please note: No inference should be drawn that any of the players mentioned below or in the images below, are in some sort of over-training, over-bowling situation. The group represents just a smattering of the hugely promising KZN10 bowling talent we have in our midst and the intention is to recognise them for that talent by including them in this feature.
So, injury free; that’s what we want. If not, dreams could be in tatters in the blink of an eye.
Therefore, KZN10 felt it wise to consult an expert, in PMB-based physiotherapist Neil van Biljon, who has extensive experience in treating KZN schoolboy sportsmen and cricketers, particularly promising fast bowlers.
PBHS and Tuks graduate Neil van Biljon’s physiotherapy practice is in the KZN capital. Neil has extensive experience across the sports codes and is seen here with Kearsney Old Boy Torin Tedder working with the UKZN Impi rugby team a while back.
Neil: “Thanks Jono. I have firm views on the subject, having experienced first-hand in my practice what damage can be done if the teen-age fast bowler is not properly managed. And I am not just talking about high school boys. And not just about fast bowling.
“And it is not only fast bowlers; medium-fast, seam and swing bowlers, the primary school bowler too; the strain exerted on the bowling shoulder of the young, the teenage leg-spinner, the off-spinner, the strain on the hips and knees and so on of every bowler.
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“And what I am going to point out under the next five headings can in most instances also be adapted and applied to many sports codes at schoolboy level.”
WHY WE TRAIN
Says Neil: “To provide the body with adequate load to enforce positive physiological adaptations; that is, improved fitness, skill levels and mental endurance.”
TOO HIGH A WORKLOAD
Says Neil: “Results in negative adaptions from the body (counter-productive) thus forcing the fast bowler to need a longer recovery phase. Worst-case scenario it brings about damage to soft-tissue structures.
“Resuming training to quickly after a period of training overload can result in further negative adaptations and the serious risk of Overtraining Syndrome (OTS).”
Another scalp for Hilton College 2017/2018 opening bowler John Turner at the (first term) 2018 Coke T20 National Franchise Finals. Boys of Hilton team-mate Suubi Mugerwa-Sekawabe rushes in to join the celebration.
LOAD MANAGEMENT
Says Neil: “The onus is on the fast bowler, his coaches, trainers, physios and the school sports scientists to track the player’s loading and try fit them into what is called the loading ‘sweet spot’ where the young fast bowler’s body is positively adapting to the load (i.e. getting fitter) and at the same time protecting the body from damage and overuse injuries.”
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ADOLESCENT PACE BOWLERS AT HIGH RISK
Says Neil: “There are multi-factorial risk factors in this specific group of athletes.
“Vertebral growth plates have been shown to close from age 18 to as late as age 23 in extreme cases. As a general yardstick, though, we can assume in most cases that at age 19 this physeal closing has taken place almost completely.
“This, coupled with maximum bone-mass volume only being reached at around age 18 it does leave the younger fast bowler at high risk of lower-back stress fractures – particularly when they are put through high volumes of bowling week in and week out.
“A typical bowling action can exert up to 30 times your body weight’s worth of pressure through your lumbar spine. In fact, this is increased with bowlers who have a ‘mixed-on’ bowling action.”
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SOLUTIONS
Says Neil: “It goes without saying that ‘core strengthening’ in the off-season is crucial. In my opinion, better communication between health professionals and coaches is key.
“There are numerous ways to manage the bowler’s workload via Apps, questionnaires, or simply counting their overs bowled in a week.
“All bowlers are different and need to be managed individually. Interestingly enough, ‘low workload’ can be just as detrimental to the bowler as too high a workload.
“The key times when injuries tend to be a problem can also be after a long, relatively inactive off-season or after a long injury layoff .
“Coming back to training at high volumes can be dangerous. The basic rule of thumb is low-intensity training that includes low volumes of overs bowled that is then supplemented with a 10% increase per week.”
Fireworks in the offing: Hilton College first XI captain and Dolphins U19 all-rounder Mikey Booth locks on to his target.
BOTTOM LINE, says Neil
“Listen to your body. Consult a professional immediately if anything feels out of the ordinary. The body tends to give warning signs ahead of major injuries. These warning signs must be taken seriously by you.
“Prevention is always better than cure.”
Jono says: Brilliant advice, Neil. I suffered from a major back injury as a 13/14-year-old opening bowler and it put paid to any thoughts of bigger things.
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There is so much promising talent out there on any given KZN10 Super Saturday and it would be a crime to see it denied due to inadequate knowledge.
This may indeed turn out to be the most intrinsically valuable KZN10 story yet.
**********
In KZN10 terms, when one talks talent, one need look no further than the Hilton College bowling attack of what was a stellar 2018 first XI year.
Opening bowlers John Turner and Michael Booth, seam and swing bowler Tom Dixon, left-arm orthodox spinner Michael Frost, leg-spinners Colby Dyer and James Ritchie, off-spinner Michael Sclanders.
The 16-year-old Hilton College first XI and Dolphins U19 leg-spinner Colby Dyer has the ability to break partnerships and get a clutch of wickets in a single spell. Colby is also an accomplished batsman.
Such was the effectiveness of this remarkably varied bowling arsenal one wonders if it stands out among the best seen at schoolboy level in years.
That five of the seven are back in this 2019 year is a prospect to savour – and has already been experienced by yours truly in two matches to date.
But I digress. The punch line here is that in 2018, almost invariably, from match to match, John Turner and particularly Michael Booth knocked over two or three top-order wickets in the first 7 or 8 overs.
This regular match situation afforded Hilton captain James Ritchie the opportunity to maintain attacking fields – and the time and run-space for Dixon, Dyer, Frost, Sclanders and the skipper to weave their destructive webs.
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The good news is that the Hilton bowlers aren’t the only leather flingers of note that we will – and are already seeing – on the green fields of the KZN10 at this early stage of the 2019 year.
I could do the rounds among the schools but for brevity’s sake – and to get back to the point of this story – here are just one or two more examples of what we can, and are already, witnessing in 2019.
St Charles College have promising talent in abundance in the form of Kian Channon, Cameron Spangenberg and Keegan Crawford, especially now that they each have a minimum of one year’s first XI experience in the memory bank.
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Maritzburg College fast bowler Mondli Khumalo is another, as are Northwood’s 2019 captain Jeremy Martins, fellow Northwod Knight Andile Mokgakane the SA U19 all-rounder, and young all-rounder Cade Carmichael of Kearsney College.
Maritzburg College fast bowler Mondli Khumalo delivered a fiery opening spell to the Michaelhouse top-order on the Roy Gathorne Oval during fourth-term 2018. Photo DESDESIGNSDOT
And from 2018, Kearsney left-arm opening bowler Carl Heunis, and Westville captain & right-arm paceman Matthew Pollard.
And what more can one say of SA Schools 2018 and SA U19 Feb/March India tour selection, the then grade 11 and now grade 12 talent that is Lifa Ntanzi of Glenwood.
2018 Westville captain, opening bowler and attacking batsman Matt Pollard lets it fly with keeper Jandre Viljoen watching intently.
Extremely quick, a natural athlete if ever there was one, deadly accurate and a snorter of a bouncer, Lifa is definitely a shining star-in-the-making to watch.
Michaelhouse’s U19 Cricket World Cup paceman Fraser Jones, 2019 St Charles College captain and Zimbabwe U19 off-spinner Wessly Madhevere, joint Player of the 2018 Junior World Cup…
There are more.
We in KZN are fortunate to blessed with so much talent.
Roll on 2019 KZN10 cricket!
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January 19’s KZN10 basketball results throw up interesting pointers
The first full weekend of school basketball matches in the KZN10 took place over this past weekend. Rain did have a say in a few of the clashes but without exception every 1st team got an opportunity to play:
Michaelhouse vs Westville
Of note in this particular fixture was going to be the match-up at 1st team level. Michaelhouse were the form team of Stayers season and they produced a convincing win at the Westville Multipurpose Centre. Michaelhouse 4 victories/Westville 10 victories.
Michaelhouse next host DHS while Westville’s next game – against Glenwood – has been cancelled.
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Clifton vs Northwood
A good win for Clifton 1sts against their Durban North rivals. Northwood won the A team games in the age groups which bodes well for their future performances. The win total – Clifton 4 victories and Northwood 5 victories – indicates a great match-up for the schools.
Clifton next make the journey up to Bothas Hill to take on Kearsney and Northwood travel to Hilton College.
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St Charles College vs Glenwood (Glenwood scores first)
A tough day at the office for the lads from Glenwood – there is hope that they can build on their U16A result as it seems like it was a tightly contested affair.
St Charles will feel relieved to finally get their season under way. As our interview with * Craig Gilchrist suggests, the Maritzburg private school is looking to make waves this season. St Charles 4 victories Glenwood 0.
* Check out Mr Basketball, the SA men’s head coach, SA legend and Saints’ full-time Basketball Specialist Craig Gilchrist’s fascinating KZN10.com video interview by clicking on his name link in the paragraph above.
Glenwood’s fixture this week against Westville has been cancelled, whilst St Charles play host to Maritzburg College in a 6pm evening game on Friday 25 January 2019.
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This is a match that heralds the culmination of a special day in the life of the 144-year-old institution, the opening and renaming of their revamped basketball venue – splendid facility.
At 10.30am Friday a ceremony will be held at the St Charles College Indoor Centre, in which the facility will be named the Samukele Khumalo Arena, in honour of the recent former Saints head prefect and basketball star whose burgeoning young life, so full of promise, was so tragically cut short.
Come 6pm Friday, just under 8 hours after the christening of the brand new Samukele Khumalo Arena, the much-anticipated local derby between Saints and their cross-town friends Maritzburg College will play out to a packed arena.
Sam, the boys will do you proud.
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DHS vs Kearnsey College
The matches were originally supposed to be held at DHS but the inclement weather which affected most of the KZN10 cricket prevented DHS from defending their home court.
The A team games and 1st team were moved to Kearsney College to at least give the boys a game.
The results indicate that the Kearsney basketball programme is operating at elite level. DHS can be disappointed, as zero victories on the day is not indicative of their quality.
Next up for Kearsney is Clifton at home whilst DHS make the journey up to Balgowan to take on a powerful Michaelhouse side.
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Maritzburg College vs Hilton College
A good set of results for Maritzburg College whilst Hilton could feel that they were slightly underdone coming into this fixture.
With a new coach at the helm of Hilton it may take a few weeks for them to develop an identity but if last season’s results are anything to to go, success is round the corner. College 10 victories – Hilton 1 victory.
Next up for College is, as mentioned in some detail above, St Charles, whilst Hilton host Northwood.
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Video chat with St Charles College basketball specialist Craig Gilchrist
As we count down to one of the most anticipated basketball matches of the year – St Charles College versus Maritzburg College this Friday, 25 January 2019 – let’s hear it from Saints director of basketball Craig Gilchrist, who is also the national men’s coach and a legendary SA player in his heyday.
Craig certainly has the credentials to hold court on hoops.
Feature image: Craig coaching the SA men’s basketball team.
Craig, KZN10.com is so pleased to spend time with a luminary of South African basketball, an inspiration and influencer to our coaches and aspirant schoolboy basketballers alike.
Let’s start with what was initially question 5; it’s a topic uttermost in the mind of KZN10.com – Friday’s official renaming of the revamped Saints basketball centre, culminating in the marquee local derby 6pm night match against Maritzburg College; can you outline the significance of the Friday?
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Craig, Saints’ premier basketball team, lets walk through the downs and ups of 2018.
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As Saints Basketball Specialist, how do you see the health of Saints Basketball as of end 2018 and into the 2019 year?
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St Charles College’s basketball opponents in first term 2019, which KZN schools do you feel are going to test Saints the most?
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The many Saints Basketball fans, what can they look forward to in 2019?
Thanks Craig, much appreciated. I can’t wait for Friday Nite’s Hoops Action. Let’s bang the first buzzer!
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St Charles College cricket: Video interview with head of sport Rowan Irons
At the close of the 2018 school year, KZN10.com asked St Charles College head of sport Rowan Irons four quick questions on Saints cricket.
Feature image: Saints first XI vs Kearsney last year. The lovely St Charles College Oval with its splendid changeroom facility and big screen in the background.
1. Row, you have a passionate interest in St Charles College cricket. What was the highlight of the 2018 year?
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2. Row, in what areas is Saints cricket looking to improve on in 2019?
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3. Row, there were some remarkable Saints first XI wins in 2018 and also several close-run matches where Saints were well on course for victory only to see triumph slip from their grasp in the final session. Could the inconsistencies be chalked up to inexperience?
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4. Saints cricket, how does St Charles College stack up against some of the bigger schools?
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Thanks for your time, Row, I have found the chat to be enlightening, as it just goes to show that as passionate as us KZN10 cricket fans are, very few – if any – of us understand and appreciate the inner workings of developing a sport in an ever-changing school sport landscape.
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A rough guide to KZN10 first term cricket fixtures
Here is the rough fixture list for KZN10 Cricket in t
he 1st term of 2019. There are some T20 games not included. Be aware that fixtures may change to what is reflected here. The home team indicates where the 1st team will play on the day.
| Day | Date | Home Team | Away Team | |
| Sat | 12 Jan | M College | vs | Westville |
| Thu | 17 Jan | Hilton | vs | Scotch College |
| Sat | 19 Jan | M College | vs | Hilton |
| Westville | vs | Michaelhouse | ||
| DHS | vs | Kearsney | ||
| Clifton | vs | Northwood | ||
| St Charles | vs | Glenwood | ||
| Sat | 26 Jan | Kearsney | vs | Clifton |
| Northwood | vs | Hilton | ||
| Michaelhouse | vs | DHS | ||
| Glenwood | vs | Westville | ||
| St Charles | vs | M College | ||
| Sat | 02 Feb | M College | vs | Glenwood |
| Northwood | vs | Michaelhouse | ||
| Kearsney | vs | Westville | ||
| Clifton | vs | Hilton | ||
| DHS | vs | St Charles | ||
| Sat | 09 Feb | Northwood | vs | Westville |
| Michaelhouse | vs | M College | ||
| Hilton | vs | Kearsney | ||
| Clifton | vs | St Charles | ||
| DHS | vs | Glenwood | ||
| Wed | 13 Feb | Hilton | vs | Wellington |
| Fri | 15 Feb | Kearsney | vs | Wellington |
| Sat | 16 Feb | Glenwood Hilton |
vs vs |
Northwood Michaelhouse |
| Sat | 23 Feb | Northwood | vs | DHS |
| Kearsney | vs | M College | ||
| Westville | vs | Clifton | ||
| Sat | 02 Mar | Michaelhouse | vs | Clifton |
| Kearsney | vs | St Charles |
Baskets… Westville Maritzburg College… What an absolute cracker!
On what was a blisteringly hot Saturday afternoon in the KZN capital, the Maritzburg College and Westville first basketball teams locked horns in an Alan Paton Memorial Hall packed with vocal supporters.
Prior to the start, both teams lined up for a minute’s silence (feature pic) to honour Westville’s senior deputy headmaster, Mr Nestor Pierides, who had passed away during the week, a man who had done much to build the Westville sports programme.
The clash marked the beginning of the 2019 KZN schools basketball year and as the KZN10.com match preview indicated, this tussle was slated to be a ding-dong affair between two of the KZN10 giants – and it certainly lived up to the hype.
As a Stayers’ side, College beat Westville 64-55 in the 4th term of 2018 so there was much anticipation for the return encounter.
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As Maritzburg College MIC basketball Jenny Orchard says: “The shouting captain for 2019 Ollie Zondi ensured that the supporters sang war cries throughout the match and this added to the wonderful atmosphere at the game, also showcasing what schoolboy sport is all about.”
The home side led the first quarter by 2 points and the same score margin at halftime indicates the closeness of this contest.
The third quarter proved to be the game-changer.
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The third quarter started with the teams locked in an intense arm wrestle as neither side could really dictate play for any extended period of time. Every time Westville narrowed the gap College would score a couple of quick baskets to maintain a 6- to 7-point lead.
“Up to that point every time College’s offence and defence found synergy they would take the game away from Westville,” Maritzburg College first team basketball coach Zeke Oosthuis told KZN10.com
Maritzburg College wing forward Liam van Rensburg is in possession. Team-mate Luyanda Mawela is closely guarded by Westville wing forward Cameron Best while WBHS team-mate & number 10 Kgopotso Matlena is in the key.
And it was during one these better spells of play by Maritzburg College that the turning point in the game occurred.
College were in control of the game and placing enormous pressure on Westville to make up their points deficit on the scoreboard.
College stole Westville ball and set off on the fast break, but the layup was unexpectedly missed and in the ensuing tussle College lost the ball to Westville.
On the very next Westville possession, College were again able to manipulate the Westville defence, and a College player broke for another uncontested layup but the point’s opportunity was missed once again.
So, to the Breakdown of Quarters 1 and 2 and 3
1st MC 11 W 9
2nd MC 10 W 8
3rd MC 14 W 13
The air seemed to be sucked out of the building.
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“Westville, sensing that College had failed to land the killer blow, took the opportunity and started hunting for offensive rebounds, placing enormous pressure on the College guards to box out all members of the attacking team,” says coach Zeke.
Westville ended this decisive third quarter stronger, with College fighting to keep their lead. The quarter ended with College still holding the Westville team at arm’s length, but the College lead was now a “gettable” 5 points, as opposed to the 9 points is should have been.
Westville started the fourth quarter sensing that they had gained the ascendancy, and a marked feature of the opening minutes of that final quarter was the urgency with which they played.
“Westville, who up to that point had tried to score by running traditional plays for some key players, threw caution to the wind and aggressively attacked the College defence, taking every opportunity to drive to the basket,” says MC coach Zeke Oosthuis.
“College, who had contained Westville quite handily for most of the game, seemed to be thrown by Westville’s confidence and determination, and the lads in Red Black & White committed numerous unnecessary fouls in trying to stop the avalanche of Westville attacks.”
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Midway through the 4th and final quarter Westville, behind some inspired play from SA U15 player Ethan Brooke, took the lead and ultimately control of the game.
4th QUARTER A MATCH-CHANGING Westville 19 MC 8
Grade 10 basketballer Ethan showing a great deal of big-match temperament in scoring 2 huge 3-pointers to electrify the Westville fan base, and the outcome saw Westville running out 49-43 winners.
Let’s look at Quarters 1 and 2… Even though College won the jump ball, it was Westville who opened the scoring and maintained the lead for a large part of the first quarter. However, with both good offense and defence the home team bounced back from a scoring drought to end that first quarter 11-9 ahead.
Maritzburg College MIC basketball Jenny Orchard: “Halfway through the 2nd quarter College had built a commanding 12-point lead through executing their game plan effectively.
“But, as was the case in the corresponding fixture in the 4th term, College again lost focus in the remaining minutes of the first half as Kgopotso Matlena of Westville exerted his considerable frame in the post and cut the lead to 2 heading into the break.”
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER SCORELINES: 1st 11-9, 2nd 10-8, 3rd 14-13, 4th 8-19. Best scoreboards by far. https://clox.co.za/
MATCH MUSINGS of MC COACH ZEKE OOSTHUIS
“The anticipated one-on-one match-up between Cameron Best of Westville and Liam van Rensburg of College didn’t scale the heights as much as it potentially could have, as both players had moments of brilliance but otherwise cancelled each other out on the day.
“It will be interesting to see how their seasons progress as they may be the top two wing forwards in KZN this year.
“It was a great advert for the health of KZN basketball as two of the premier teams displayed a high level of basketball. As is the case though with talented and competitive 1st teams the margins for error are very fine – a few opportunities missed or taken can be the difference between winning and losing.
“Down the final stretch Westville made the better decisions and played the big possessions better.”
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Westville won the fourth and final quarter by a match-clinching 10-point margin.
“Westville did themselves and their supporters proud, and if the jubilation of the team and boys at the final buzzer is any indicator, this was a match that they really wanted to win and was also a mark of the esteem that they hold Maritzburg College basketball in.
“Maritzburg College, on the other hand, can with reason be left feeling that they let this one get away. After 3 basketball quarters of dominance, they lost the last quarter 19-9, an indicator, possibly, of fitness. A tough lesson to be learned it seems.”
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And as Maritzburg College MIC basketball Jenny Orchard says, “Coach Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant once stated, ‘Concentrate on winning the second half’, and this is what the College team need to do for their next game against Hilton College.”
Overall, however, it was a successful day for the Maritzburg College basketball programme, with 16 matches played, College winning 11 and Westville 5.
Coach Zeke looks ahead to Saturday, January 19: “The match-ups offer intriguing story lines. Home side Westville take on the undefeated Michaelhouse team of the 4th [Stayers] term. The corresponding fixture last term was cancelled, so it’s all to play for.”
Maritzburg College make the short journey up the hill to take on Hilton College. Another absolute cracker is in the offing.
ALL THE BASKETBALL RESULTS
* Maritzburg College score first
1st lost 43-49
2nd lost 27-34
3rd won 29-16
16A won 24-17
16B won 38-22
16C won 18-16 extra time
15A lost 24-25
15B won 22-15
15C lost 14-27
15D won 13-10
15E lost 6-11
14A won 40-23
14B won 10-5
14C won 16-6
14D won 6-2
14E won 14-8
14F drew 4-4
MC overall vs Westville
Played 17
Won 11
Lost 5
Drew 1
MC 4th vs 5th…… 4th won 29-15
MC 16D vs 16E….. 16E won 22-20
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Baskets time! Maritzburg College v visitors Westville!
It’s just SECONDS AWAY FROM THE BIG SHOW! Yes, start time in the much-looked-forward-to opening game of the KZN10 schools’ basketball season and all eyes are on the splendid Alan Paton Hall.
Yes folks it’s home side Maritzburg College vs Westville.
KZN10.com asked MC bball coach Zeke Oosthuis a couple of pre-match questions:
Feature image – MC basketball coach Zeke Oosthuis and the army.
“Thanks Jono, it’s great playing Westville as they have a large basketball programme and match us team for team across the board.
“It’s always a tough encounter, 5 years ago as an example MC were number 1 in SA and had just won the prestigious St John’s Johannesburg tournament and we came back and lost to Westville.
“We play them first term and 4th term each year and in 2018 Westville won the first clash with us wining by about 9 points in the fourth term Stayers match.
Those Stayers are back out there today so it’s going to be fascinating. I am not sure if Westville are at full strength but be that as it may a school is only as good as it’s overall basketball programme so we will see.
Alan Paton Hall Basketball – always electric.
“Westville coach Byron Tucker has a clear basketball vision; he is no-nonsense and produces tough organised hard teams.
“The Westville basketball brand? Historically a very good shooting outfit, zonal play, big-size players, last while moving more towards a man-to-man style as I like Maritzburg College to play, albeit in a fast up-tempo fashion.
“Westville shoot well from the outside, they are able to clog up the key, and shoot from the outside, while they don’t give away many points from inside the paint.
“I anticipate a tight affair, I am confident the Red Black and Whites of Maritzburg College – buoyed by their home support, can take this one.
“If Westville bring their A game and their top guys are on song – we may have more depth though – MC are in for a tough challenge.
“We take into the game the knowledge that although we lost the last Stayers match of 2018 to the strong Michaelhouse side at Michaelhouse, we came back strongly and a lot of self-belief was bred in that performance.
“The boys need to carry that through today.”
Thanks Zeke – top stuff.
Best wishes to both sides.
Big afternoon & evening for Mikey Booth’s Hilton College
After Wednesday’s underdone defeat to Rondebosch captain Michael Booth’s Hilton College first XI are looking for back-to-back victories in the Independent Schools Cricket Festival’s Thursday action.
Feature image: Michael Booth, Hilton College first XI captain, U17 National Week All-Rounder of the Tournament in action here for Dolphins U19 at Cubs Week a few days ago. Image courtesy of RenateMontyPhotos
It’s the 50-over vs St John’s Harare today and the T20 tonight vs fellow Zimbabweans Falcon College.
Hilton posted 224 in 47 of 50 vs St John’s Harare this Thursday morning after Boothie won the toss. St John’s beat Kearsney in a T20 this week.
Hilton College’s Colby Dyer in action for Dolphins U19 a few days ago. RenateMontyPhotos
At the time of this posting (14h49 Thursday) St John’s had just been bundled out for 93 with 16-year-old Dolphins U19 leg-spinner and promising batsman Colby Dyer (4), young fast bowler Matt Boast (2) the outstanding KZN Inland U17 left-arm spinner Mike Frost (3) and the excellent 2018 HC first XI opening bowler John Turner (1) among the HC wickets.
So Hilton 224 to St John’s Harare’s 93. Orando et Laborando by 131.
Of Hilton’s 224 all out vs St John’s on Oaks Field at Bishops the heavy-scoring age-group batsman Nick Hatton made his maiden HC first XI 50 (62 in the end) with the other notable scores coming from opener Joshua Watt 31 and Chris Meyer 29.
Hilton got off to a champion start at 55/1 after 7 then 105/2 in the 18th and the momentum was still positive with the total 131/3 at the 25-over halfway stage, before the Goddess Cricket continued smiling on Orando et Laborando at 176/3 off 33, but the feisty Zimbabweans pulled it back.
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In the 50-over WEDNESDAY home side Rondebosch (187/8) beat Hilton (105) by 82 runs.
Here’s Warwickshire County pro Tim Groenewald, the Maritzburg College Old Boy, on his Hilton team vs Rondebosch:
“We put ourselves in a decent position with the ball restricting them to around 80 for 5 before some very good partnerships from their lower middle order, which saw them get 187 off their 50 overs.
“We never really got going with the bat struggling to put any meaningful partnerships together; at 34 overs we were 98 for 4 and giving ourselves a chance, but we fell apart to some quality bowling.
Fast bowler Matt Boast – pictured here in Feb 2018 alongside his then Hilton U15A coach Shaun Sinclair, was in outstanding form last year and he’s slotted into first XI cricket as a rookie grade 10 with no trouble at all.
“It was a tough first game but hopefully one that we can learn from and improve going forward.”
* Tim heads the HC first XI coaching role in the absence of Dale Benkenstein who as Proteas batting coach is presently fulfilling those duties.
# Hilton left out Colby Dyer and Nick Campbell for Wednesday’s Rondebosch match.
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Rondebosch were on a precarious 68/5 after electing to bat on their picturesque Oval with outstanding HC seamer Tom Dixon (10-2-26-3) and first XI debutant the grade 10 paceman Matt Boast (5-2-10-2) knocking over the Bosch top 5.
It was a special moment for the Dixon and Boast families watching the two cousins bowling in tandem and with such success.
But cometh the hour… Keagan Mountjoy (58 80b 5×4 2×6) and player of the match Guy Sheena (36) adding 60 for the 6th wicket which in turn enabled the Bosch tailenders to finish off the innings strongly.
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Chasing 188 off 300 it was very much Hilton’s game for the taking – and at 93/4 after 16 it was still HC holding the baton… but finger spinner Sheena had other ideas – and 8 overs 5 maidens 5 wickets for 9 runs was the result.
Hilton all out for 105. Defeat by 82.
The great thing is that at the close of each and every day one page closes and a clean sheet emerges at the dawn of the next.
Go Boys of Hilton. It’s BIG THURSDAY.
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