“There was much hype in the build-up to the first team game between home side Maritzburg College and visitors Michaelhouse as College had never managed a win against this ’House side,” says the Red Black and White’s head of basketball Jenny Orchard.

No less than 24 Maritzburg College basketball matches were due to be played on the Saturday; however the inclement weather put paid to 11 of them on the outside courts. This, coupled with the cancellation of all cricket matches ensured that the Alan Paton Hall was packed throughout the day.

Facebook photo of the talented Michaelhouse captain JC Oelofse who is also a first XV lock forward.

A packed Alan Paton Hall with a basketball crowd in the house is not something you will forget in a hurry – schoolboy sport at its best.

 

 

“With quality players like captain JC Oelofse and his deputy Banele Sithole in the Michaelhouse side, College knew that it would be a tough encounter,” says Jenny.

“All in all it was a low-scoring match, the first period ending with College 6-2 ahead. It was in the second quarter that Michaelhouse gained a narrow lead of 4 points.

“The low score was the result of a tight defence by the College outfit with Caleb Janse van Rensburg and Qalakahle Mkhize rebounding very effectively.

“The final whistle drew an end to the match with the contest tied at 27-27. This resulted in the game going into a 5-minute overtime and it was in this period where the College offense and decision making was lacking.

 

 

“With both sides on team fouls, the match outcome could go either way. Michaelhouse remained calm and managed to seal the game by beating College 34-38.”

The score is not entirely what the game will be remembered for; it was the incredible spirit and camaraderie shown between the two schools that will surely stir the memory.

“The drum-off at halftime between the two schools entertained the spectators and typified the vibrant nature of a basketball match,” says Jenny.

“At the end of the day it was basketball that was victorious.”

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

Team	Opposition	Score	Result
1st	Michaelhouse 1st	34 – 38	Lost
2nd	Michaelhouse 2nd	26 – 13	Won
3rd	Michaelhouse 3rd	16 – 26	Lost
4th	Michaelhouse 4th	20 – 36	Lost
5th	Michaelhouse 5th	29 – 12	Won
6th	Michaelhouse 6th	13 – 30	Lost
7th	Michaelhouse 7th	0 – 0	Cancelled
2nd	St Nicholas Diocesan School 1st	38 – 30	Won
U16A	Michaelhouse U16A	36 – 27	Won
U16B	Michaelhouse U16B	41 – 15	Won
U16C	Michaelhouse U16c	0 – 0	Match Cancelled
U16D	Michaelhouse U16d	0 – 0	Match Cancelled
U16E	Michaelhouse U16e	0 – 0	Match Cancelled
U15A	St Nicholas Diocesan School U15a	32 – 19	Won
U15A	Michaelhouse U15A	16 – 23	Lost
U15B	Michaelhouse U15B	42 – 14	Won
U15C	Michaelhouse U15C	28 – 16	Won
U15d	Michaelhouse U15d	0 – 0	Match Cancelled
U15e	Michaelhouse U15e	0 – 0	Match Cancelled
U15f	Kearsney College U15f	0 – 0	Match Cancelled
U14b	St Nicholas Diocesan School U14a	29 – 5	Won
U14d	St Nicholas Diocesan School U14b	37 – 7	Won
U14A	Michaelhouse U14A	43 – 28	Won
U14B	Michaelhouse U14B	13 – 14	Lost
U14c	Michaelhouse U14c	0 – 0	Match Cancelled
U14d	Michaelhouse U14d	0 – 0	Match Cancelled
U14e	Michaelhouse U14e	0 – 0	Match Cancelled
U14f	Kearsney College U14f	0 – 0	Match Cancelled
Overall Summary
Played	17
Won	11
Lost	6
Draw	0