Basketball Report (by Head Coach Darren Holcomb)
St Charles College sports news for this weekend saw the final round of fixtures before the Saints boys start their final examinations. Even though the season has been disappointing with several close losses, St Charles College was determined to continue its upward trajectory with a win over the visiting Michaelhouse team.
St Charles College got off to a good start and made some open jumpers in the early stages of the game; however, despite their good offensive execution and good defence, the visitors managed to keep it close during the first period. With the Saints team executing their offensive plays to try and take advantage of their big man and captain, Matthew Naude, they were able to open a slight lead. To add to their defensive pressure, Saints implemented a full-court press to start the fourth period. This placed additional pressure on the visitors resulting in some ill-advised passes, turnovers and transition baskets.
While both teams played with heart, it was the home team who managed to stick within their patterns, run their transition offence and score some easy baskets down the stretch which resulted in a win 61 – 45.
St Charles College vs Michaelhouse – 16 November
Annually, Saints and ‘House continue with one extra week of sports fixtures and this years final fixture was hosted by the Blue and Gold. While all the basketball and T20 cricket matches took place, the weather had the final say for the 50 over games, both in PMB and Balgowan.
The season finale for the 1st XI took place on The Oval and it was also the farewell game for Head Coach Lucky Dladla, who signed off on an incredible 6 year cycle with the 1st XI. We salute Coach Dladla who inspires boys to play and love the game of cricket, and as he adds management responsibility to his portfolio at St Charles College, the U16A boys will be both inspired and blessed to have him coach them next year.
The last Game Day of 2024 also brought the curtain down on the school careers of six incredible young men, the following matrics have led from the front and have been strong ambassadors for St Charles College.
At the end-of-season function on Saturday, Morne van Wyk and the coaches acknowledged their efforts and the excellent way they finished. We congratulate Brendon Sunguro, Connor Riley, Marcel Wellmann (captain), Kwanele Nqayi, Tristan Montile, Cian Fortmann and wish them all the best for their next chapter. The match itself on Saturday was abandoned due to lightning. Michaelhouse had won the toss and batted first in the morning, scoring 184 all out in the 49th over. The Saints reply was 48/3 after 13 overs when the game was called off. All that is remaining for schools cricket in 2024 is the national weeks, we wish the 18 Saints boys and 2 Saints coaches all the best as they prepare for provincial representation in December.
