Jenny Orchard Invitational quarterfinals berths booked
With the knockout stages beckoning, the second day of the Jenny Orchard Invitational brought with it a necessity for teams with designs on the title to make a statement. The hosts and reigning champions, Maritzburg College, did that.
They built upon their strong performance on the opening day with improved showings against two Western Cape opponents.
Enjoying their time in the Alan Paton Memorial Hall, the Red, Black, and White team scored an outstanding 188 points across two matches on Friday, against Wynberg Boys’ High and Westerford.
Neither of the Cape Town schools was able to contend with College’s fierce fierce defensive pressure. They turned the ball over frequently and the home side made them pay with assured finishing. Wynberg was the first to fall, going down 34-84, but it was even worse for Westerford, with College powering their way to a substantial 104-21 victory.
In another entertaining Pool A match, Michaelhouse found their momentum and finished well after halftime to down Westerford 74-42. They, too, beat Wynberg Boys’ High, with a 54-31 win ensuring they move on to the quarterfinals. ‘House had fallen 39-45 to Maritzburg College on Thursday.
In Pool B, much like Maritzburg College, the Soweto Basketball Academy emerged as a formidable contender for the Jenny Orchard Invitational title by maintaining their winning streak, and they, too, did it in dominating style.
Rondebosch Boys’ High was the first to fall, outplayed 96-24. Then, Saheti School was blasted 109-25, which was the most lopsided result of the day. In a similar fashion to College, the Soweto Basketball Academy lived off of forcing turnovers high up the court with man-to-man pressure, which resulted in easy baskets.
Northwood School, playing with a second-string lineup while their first team attempts to successfully defend the St John’s Basketball Tournament title, was pummelled by the Soweto Basketball Academy on day one, but they came back to secure two wins on Friday. It was close, though.
Northwood edged out Saheti 56-54 and then won by three points against Rondebosch, claiming a 48-45 victory.
Kearsney College and Pinelands High School, from Pool C, have advanced to the knockout stages of the competition. Kearsney compiled a clean record during the group stage, with Friday bringing them a 54-point win over Kingswood College, 86-32. It’s been a tough time for Kingswood, who have yet to taste victory in the event.
Pinelands gave Kearsney a good game before going down 57-63. They rebounded with an important 67-40 victory over Clifton College to secure their place in the last eight. Clifton enjoyed a comfortable win over Kingswood College, running out 72-46 winners.
Pool D witnessed the progression of ESCA and Westville Boys’ High School to the quarterfinals. ESCA secured clear-cut victories in all three of their group matches, while Westville triumphed in two out of three games.
Notably, when they met on Friday, ESCA dominated, scoring a convincing 50-29 win. Later in the day, ESCA saw off Durban High School (DHS), again emphatically, winning 57-31.
Westville, who would have been disappointed with their showing against ESCA, beat South African College School (SACS) 58-51. DHS also beat the Capetonians, winning by 12 points, 50-38.
RESULTS
Pool A
Michaelhouse 74-42 Westerford
Maritzburg College 84-34 Wynberg Boys’ High
Michaelhouse 54-31 Wynberg Boys’ High
Maritzburg College 104-21 Westerford
Pool B
Soweto Basketball Academy 96-24 Rondebosch Boys’ High
Northwood School 56-54 Saheti School
Soweto Basketball Academy 109-25 Saheti School
Northwood School 48-45 Rondebosch Boys’ High
Pool C
Clifton College 72-46 Kingswood College
Kearsney College 63-57 Pinelands High School
Kearsney College 86-32 Kingswood College
Pinelands High School 67-40 Clifton College
Pool D
Durban High School 50-38 South African College School (SACS)
ESCA 50-29 Westville Boys’ High School
ESCA 57-31 Durban High School
Westville Boys’ High School 59-51 South African College School (SACS)
Saturday Fixtures
Playoff 9-16
Alan Paton 1
08:00: Westerford (A3) vs Kingswood College (C4)
09:30: Wynberg Boys’ High (A4) vs Clifton College (C3)
Alan Paton 2
08:00: Rondebosch Boys’ High (B3) vs SACS (D4)
09:30: Saheti School (B4) vs Durban High School (D3)
Quarterfinals
Alan Paton 1
11:00: Maritzburg College (A1) vs Pinelands High School (C2)
12:30: Kearsney College (C1) vs Michaelhouse (A2)
Alan Paton 2
11:00: Soweto Basketball Academy (B1) vs Westville Boys’ High School (D2)
12:30: ESCA (D1) vs Northwood School (B2)
