90 They entered the ISSBT (Independent Schools’ Stayers’) in the September holidays, battle hardened and ready to face the country’s best independent schools. They played well, but performed poorly against Michael Mount Waldorf School, losing in the pool matches by one point. They went on to play St Alban’s College in the quarter-finals, defeating them soundly, avenging a defeat in the semi-final of the St John’s Tournament earlier in the year. In the semi-finals they faced St Stithians College, who were ranked as the best basketball playing team at school level in SA. The Kearsney team won convincingly, setting up a final against Michaelhouse who were also highly rated. The final was a cracker and Kearsney, having played well, were defeated in the final seconds. Both teams contributed to the tournament’s memorable final. The team continued where they left off in the fourth term, winning all their fixtures to remain unbeaten in domestic games played. The team once again surprised everyone by playing so well and kept their detractors speechless by their performances on the court. The challenge for them now is to remain focused and to finish off the games in the first term of 2020 successfully in order to place themselves as one of the strongest teams to be produced by the College. Results: Played 15, Won 13, Lost 2 Mr Myles De lport and Mr Nhlanhla Dlamin i Coaches Basketball 2nd Team Basketball The 2nd team of 2019 was arguably one of the strongest teams for some time. The team boasted diverse and skilled players who could per form in various positions on the floor and who could competently compete spots in the 1st team. However, the team at times let themselves down through selfish play, trying to create a legacy as individuals instead of competing as a unified team. This resulted in some narrow losses in some games when they should have won easily. The team however learned their lesson in the first term and moving into the second term, they were much better and more competitive as a team. This was despite the Grade 12s not having been able to attend as many practices due to writing their final examinations. The season’s highlight was the opening season game in which the team defeated Durban High School 82 – 2 in the opening fixture, declaring their intentions for the coming year. This match set the tone for the remainder of the season. The victory against Crawford School’s Nor th Coast’s 1st team of 45 – 17 was also a hard-fought and well-orchestrated win against an opponent that was much fancied and which had per formed well against other schools’ first teams. In the matches against Westville Boys High School and St Charles College, the team displayed frailties and lost, when they should easily have won. They bounced back in the games which followed and went on to rectify their mistakes. They finished off their season’s games strongly, winning convincingly and showing everyone how much they had learned and grown as players and as a team. Results: Played 12, Won 10, Lost 2 Mr Andi l e Ntshingila Coach Sponsored by Kade Tyack - Class of 2019 “The best teams have chemistry. They communicate with each other and they sacrifice personal glory for the common goal.” Loyiso Mabude - 1st team and KZN U18B
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTc3MDU5Nw==