Back row (L-R): Iviwe Shongwe, Robbie Jorgensen, Gregor Campbell, Matt Damons 3rd row: Sithe Fumanisa, Jamol Langeni, Lathi Sali, Lehumo Mahlabana, Njabulo Ngcobo, Matt Campbell 2nd row: Singele Mkhize, Junior Cindi, Thoba Buthelezi (scorer), Mhleli Khuzwayo, Sifiso Msomi Seated: Michael Ngwenya, Mr Myles Delport, Max Hastings-Brown, Ryan Wimbush, Mr Khayelihle Nzama, Ben Field BASKETBALL 1ST TEAM Basketball Overview Basketball was fortunate in that, during the moratorium on inter-school sport, we were still able to keep the boys interested in playing through a greatly expanded and competitive inter-house programme, which ran for the duration of Term 1. Each House provided teams to participate in all age groups and each teams’ points counted. The B and C House teams proved to be very competitive and the boys also had a great deal of fun. The inter-house games took place during the week and on Saturdays the juniors and seniors were divided into elite squads to compete in more serious games. The senior teams, the Anteater and Capybaras, competed for the Centenary Cup in a best-of-three game series. The games were highly competitive and provided an exciting spectacle. The SportZone was used as an additional dining facility, to allow social distancing to comply with COVID regulations. This meant all basketball games were played on the outdoor courts. Some afternoons the courts could have been mistaken for an ants’ nest as there were so may boys out there enjoying the exercise, fresh air and spectacular views. The A team coaches kept working with their players to maintain skill levels. It was unfortunate that the Matrics of 2021 did not enjoy a normal season, as this is was an extremely talented group and may have been one of the best to have come through the Kearsney basketball system. KNZ Marlins team Max Hastings-Brown and Ryan Wimbush were included in KZN Marlins team which competes professionally in the BNL (Basketball National League) and we will no doubt hear more from these two talented players. 1st Team Basketball Term 1 Regular players: Matthew Campbell, Matthew Damons, Ben Field, Max Hastings-Brown, Robbie Jorgensen, Mhleli Khuzwayo, Singele Mkhize, Njabulo Ngcobo, Michael Ngwenya, Iviwe Shongwe, Ryan Wimbush It was most disappointing that the team could not play inter-schools games in the first term due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, schools were able to resume sports matches during the Easter holidays. The 1st team played against Westville Boys’ High School, who had played and won two fixtures earlier. The game was a tremendous success for the team. They managed to win the game confidently, demonstrating what a strong squad they could have been. Results - Term 1: Played 1, Won 1, Lost 0 Kearsney Centenary Basketball Tournament We were able to resume interschool sport in Term 3 and we hosted the annual stayer’s basketball tournament which was called the Kearsney Centenary Basketball Tournament this year, to celebrate Kearsney’s Centenary. We saw the introduction of a primary school division, which worked well and proved popular. Our Invitation Team, made up of our best U16 players who were not included in the first team, managed to win the B division with some impressive performances. They did the College proud, beating some schools’ 1st teams. My congratulations go to the second team, U15A, U15B, U15C and U15D teams which all managed to remain unbeaten this season. This is a great tribute to the wcoaching staff and the commitment of the boys who have shown what can be achieved through hard work. I thank all the basketball coaches who work so diligently to create such a special atmosphere in the basketball programme, making it one of the most popular sports at Kearsney. Terms 3 and 4 Regular players: Luca Borrageiro, Gregor Campbell, Matthew Campbell, Junior Cindi, Matthew Damons, Sithe Fumanisa, Robbie Jorgensen, Jamol Langeni, Lehumo Mahlabana, Sifiso Msomi, Njabulo Ngcobo, Lathi Sali, Iviwe Shongwe Inter-school fixtures resumed in Term 3, playing in the sanitised environment without spectators. The experience was completely foreign, but the boys were hungry to play despite the restrictions. The team exploded into action with an impressive win over Maritzburg College, where a few Matric boys ended their 1st team basketball careers. Generally, only stayers play in the 4th term. The match was a fitting send-off to those who were able to play. Mr Myles Delport MIC Basketball Opposite: 1st team’s Matt Campbell vs Maritzburg College Watch the Centenary Basketball Tournament on Youtube
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