BASKETBALL
Kearsney started the game sluggishly, while Westville got out of the blocks at full sprint. Despite Kearsney getting off good shots, they could not seem to get any kind of offensive rhythm going, which was a trend for their whole game.
Westville remained patient and moved the ball well, using the fact that there were no shot clocks to their advantage, negating the good defence that Kearsney tried to play. The end of the first quarter ended with Westville up 17 – 9.
In the second quarter neither team was able to score more than eight points. Half-time came with Kearsney trailing 17 – 25.
The game resumed with Westville finding the offensive rhythm and managing to score 20 points in the quarter, while Kearney’s shooting woes continued. They managed, however, to get within three points of the hosts during the quarter, only to allow Westville to increase their lead again, to end the quarter leading 45 – 28.
The final quarter saw a ramping up of the defensive intensity by Kearsney and they managed to level the score at one stage. The damage had been done in the first quarter, however, and they were never able to completely erase the deficit, despite limiting Westville to just six points in the fourth quarter. Kearsney ended up losing 51 – 44.
Top performers:
Kearsney: Pabatso Sithole 18 points; Daniel Prinsloo 10; Kwadakhule Sibiya 5
Westville: Lehakwe Motaung 12 points; Luseko Sikhulume 10; Liyema Zondi 8
WATER POLO
The Kearsney 1st team water polo squad delivered an impressive performance at the annual Northwood Stayers Tournament.
This year’s change in the calendar pushed the event to the end of the season. Consequently, several top teams like Affies, Hilton and DHS were unavailable, and some schools, including Kearsney, were without key grade 11 players who were focused on final exams.
Kearsney’s younger-than-usual side excelled, topping their pool with a series of strong victories.
Scores:
Kearsney beat Glenwood 19-5
Kearsney beat Michaelhouse Invitational 16-4 (against a non-Grade 11 side)
Kearsney beat Northwood 10-6
Kearsney beat Maritzburg College 10-3.
Advancing to the semi-finals, Kearsney faced Clifton, which had lost a pool game to Westville 7-1. In a tightly contested match, Kearsney narrowly lost to Clifton 7-9. A standout performance came from grade 10 player Max Mills, who scored six of Kearsney’s seven goals in the semi-final.
In the 3rd/4th place playoff, Kearsney secured a victory against Westville Boys’ High, winning 10-8.
The weekend was also marked by significant individual milestones, with three players earning their caps:
Max Mills 50 caps, James Whatmore 50 caps and Rourke Stacey 100 caps.
PROVINCIAL SELECTIONS
Kearsney has seven young cricketers who have been selected to the various KZN Coastals teams:
Ryan Staats, Gary Verbaan and Asher Hollister (KZN U15); Rivan Moodley and Aaron Blackburn (KZN U16); Keegan de Jager (KZN U17) and Litha Gonya (KZN U19).
In addition, Kearsney coach Cameron Gordon has been appointed head coach of the Dolphins’ KZN U15 Blue Team.
