BASKETBALL
Maritzburg College beat Kearsney College 54-52
Kearsney travelled to Pietermaritzburg for the first summer sports fixture against Maritzburg College, in what has become a fierce rivalry over the past few years. Kearsney won the last meeting between the two schools, and College was looking to change that.
College started strongly and looked dominant, using the energy of the crowd to pull away to a seven-point lead by the end of the first quarter 17 – 10.
Looking a bit frayed by College’s relentless pressure, Kearsney were rushing their shots and not able to convert them into points. The visitors started to settle down and find their rhythm offensively. They tightened their defence, limiting College to only four baskets in the second quarter.
Half-time saw the teams separated by a single point 25 – 24, with Kearsney looking the better of the two teams. The visitors carried their calm and composed form into the third quarter, managing to end the quarter ahead at 39 – 35.
This set up a tense fourth quarter. College continued to hammer away at the Kearsney defence and only three points separated the teams with three minutes remaining. Kearsney missed crucial free throws in the dying seconds of the game, and College managed to score a tough lay-up, which gave them the win 54 – 52.
The match was an incredible spectacle of schoolboy basketball, with both teams hammering away at each other and keeping the large crowd entertained.
Top Performers:
Kearsney College
Kwakuhle Sibya 13 points; Pabatso Sithole 12 points; Daniel Prinsloo and Kabo Ramadebedi eight points each
Maritzburg College
Carl Fynn 14 points; Onwabile Zwane 7 points; Zweli Tukayi, Wonga Madkanda and Amu Ntlakana 6 points
WATER POLO
Kearsney’s 1st team had a convincing 23-14 away victory over Maritzburg College on Saturday.
The first two chukkas were highly competitive, with the visitors holding a narrow 8-7 lead at halftime.
In a highly contested game, the scores were level at 5-5 and 6-6 during the second period. Kearsney ultimately broke open the game in the third chukka, outscoring College 8-2 to establish a commanding 16-9 lead.
They continued to control the final period and seal the win.
SELECTIONS
Three Kearsney rugby players have been selected to join the prestigious SARU U16 Early Player Development squad, following a comprehensive talent identification process during Grant Khomo Week.
Tunga Griffiths, Daniel Miskey and Clement Makelele will attend a camp run by SA Schools coaches in Paarl during October. The camp is focused on identifying the country’s next generation of rugby talent.
Kearsney’s rugby players selected for the elite SARU U16 squad: Tunga Griffiths, Daniel Miskey and Clement Makelele