Kearsney College basketball’s first team played two matches over the weekend.

First up was the home match last Friday, the opponents St Charles College.

The feedback from Kearsney follows:

“Kearsney hosted St Charles for the first basketball fixture of 2022 last Friday (21 Jan). They started the game well and were able to score freely whilst limiting St Charles’ scoring opportunities.

“Kearsney had a 15-point lead at half time (30-15). The third and fourth quarters were tightly contested with both teams playing tough defence. However, Kearsney’s 15-point lead from the first half proved too much for St Charles to make up and Kearsney achieved a good win to end 56-36.”

Top points scorers
Kearsney – 13 points apiece to Njabulo Ngcobo and Matthew Damons
St Charles – 9 points by Mnqobi Mbili

“Kearsney then travelled to Hilton on last Saturday for the first full schools’ basketball fixture of the year with 20 teams participating.

“The first quarter was tightly contested with both teams feeling each other out and neither gaining the upper hand.

“In the second quarter Kearsney were unable to make their shots and Hilton capitalised on their defensive lapses for the home team to go into half-time 27-19 up.

“Kearsney played better in the second half and were able to claw their way back into the match.”

Kearsney had a late run, but Hilton – in their first match of the year – made three crucial free throws, which ensured that they finished 52-49 winners.

Top performers
Kearsney – 21 points by Matthew Campbell and 9 points by Matthew Damons
Hilton – 13 points by Qhawe Soji and 11 points from Roelf van der Merwe

Kearsney first basketball team results so far:
(Home team first)
21 Jan: Kearsney 48 St Charles College 32
22 Jan: Hilton College 52 Kearsney 49
Upcoming on 29 Jan: vs Kearsney Old Boys

The Kearsney first basketball team that played against Hilton:
Njabulo Ngcobo, Matthew Campbell (capt), Matthew Damons, Lathi Sali, Jamol Langeni, Luca Borrageiro, Sifiso Msomi, Andile Nomvete, Robbie Jorgensen, Oliver Brazier, Lehumo Mahlabana, Gregor Campbell
Coaches: Miles Delport and Mr K Nzama

# The Hilton College first basketball team that played against Kearsney:
Michael Fox (vice-capt), Kwame Huyberechts, Kediretswe Mbaakanyi, Chisha Mulenga, Saphiwa Nzimande, Oyisa Pupuma, Qhawe Soji (vice-capt), Nic Thorburn, Roelf van der Merwe (capt), David Tshebi, Tawanda Kugotsi, Tiisano Tisane, Declan Sawyer
Coach: Nhlakanipho Khumalo
# Next up, Hilton play Westville on Saturday, 29 January 2022.