Maritzburg College extend their dominance on the basketball court

Week three of the 2024 schools’ basketball season saw some top-class performances delivered in KwaZulu-Natal clashes, with Durban High School and Northwood being separated by a three-pointer at the final whistle, while Maritzburg College waltzed into Balgowan and comfortably took care of Michaelhouse.

Down the coast, in the Eastern Cape region, Queen’s College hosted the up-and-coming Mthatha 1st team at Queen’s courts, where the hosts had the support of their home crowd.

In KZN, Maritzburg College has built a well-deserved reputation for excellence on the basketball court, and they were, thus, clear favourites for their clash with Michaelhouse.

The home team might have had an upset on their mind, but College’s high pace in attack and an impeccable defence doomed ‘House to defeat as the Red, Black, and White dominated at both ends of the floor.

When the final whistle sounded, College had cruised to a 67-39 victory.

At DHS, a talented Northwood Knights squad pulled off a skin-of-the-teeth win away from home, claiming a thriller 67-64.

Westville Boys’ High, fresh off a strong third-place finish at the AISJ American International School of Johannesburg Invitational Basketball Tournament, faced off against perennial powerhouse, St Charles College, who won the St John’s Basketball Tournament in 2023.

For much of the match, it was very tight, but Saints, with James Wucherer and Taite Hendricks leading the way, and Wucherer, especially, stirring the crowd with a string of dunks, managed to pull clear near the end and pick up a 65-56 win.

Kearsney College made their trip to Hilton College worthwhile when they sneaked a two-point victory, 59-57. Reabetswe Sithole led the way for the visitors, scoring 17 points, while Simba Chidakwa knocked down 16 for Hilton.

Meanwhile, Clifton College‘s never-say-die first team put it together against Glenwood and was rewarded with a 34-25 victory.

Down in the Eastern Cape, Queen’s College made light work of the Mthatha 1st team, inflicting a 30-8 defeat on the visiting team.

Up on the highveld, Jeppe High School for Boys and Pretoria Boys High did battle. It was tight, but the boys from the South African capital emerged with a five-point win, 46-41.

St John’s College eased to a 74-18 victory over CBC Boksburg, while St Alban’s College claimed a treasured scalp, defeating St David’s Marist Inanda in Sandton by a 60-48 margin.

RESULTS

Northwood 67, Durban High School 64
Maritzburg College 67, Michaelhouse 39
St Charles College 65, Westville Boys’ High 56
Clifton College 34, Glenwood 25
Queen’s College 30, Mtatha 8
Pretoria Boys’ High 46, Jeppe High School for Boys 41
St John’s College 74, CBC Boksburg 18
St Alban’s College 60, St David’s Marist 48