Northwood beats Maritzburg College in big KZN showdown
Although the majority of schools nationwide have concluded their basketball matches for 2025, several KZN schools were in action on Saturday, including a big-time showdown between Northwood and Maritzburg College.
A basketball clash between Northwood and College is a guarantee of a high-voltage action-packed game and the KZN basketball powers delivered again, outdoors in Durban.
The conditions were testing, sunny but windy, but both teams adapted their games well to meet that challenge.
From the very first tip-off, the match was intense and charged with emotion. Both teams entered the fray with determination, and early technical fouls on both sides established the competitive atmosphere for the afternoon.
Once the initial chaos subsided, Northwood, led by u18 South African national basketball team player, Siya Shabalala, took control, launching aggressive attacks in transition, which led them to a four-point advantage by the end of the first quarter.
Defensively, Northwood transitioned into a two-three zone, maintaining discipline and focus. Communication was precise, rotations were compact, and the team effectively controlled the boards. By halftime, the Knights had extended their advantage to 32-24, having restricted College to minimal second-chance opportunities.
The Red, Black, and White headed into the second half having made strategic adjustments and were able to narrow the deficit to just one point. Northwood, though, responded with a scoring run of their own.
In the fourth quarter, the home side was faced with further challenges to overcome when both Sims Vacu, one of Northwood’s standout players, and Shabalala incurred their fourth fouls. The Knights’ bench rose to the challenge, defended tenaciously and sustained the game’s tempo.
Inside, Awande Chiliza delivered an impressive performance, concluding the contest with 18 points and 22 rebounds, which left him only two points shy of his third consecutive 20/20 game.
Shabalala topped the scoring chart with 27 points and set the game’s tempo through fearless drives and relentless hustle. Vacu contributed 10 points and six assists and skilfully managed the attack until foul trouble hindered his progress.
In the end, Northwood won by 14 points to reaffirm their status as one of South Africa’s top basketball teams.
Pabatso Sithole leads Kearsney College to win over Clifton
In hot and windy conditions, Kearsney College made their way to the Riverside Sports Club to take on Clifton College in their final fixture of the year
Pabatso Sithole, who has enjoyed a superb season, once again demonstrated his skills by leading Kearsney with 21 points.
He was their star performer when Kearsney lifted the Independent Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament title and his excellent form has continued throughout the term.
Sithole received good support from Lubansi Mseleku and Daniel Prinsloo, who contributed 12 points each, while Lwandile Njapha dropped eight points in a 66-21 Kearsney victory.
The game got off to a slow start, with both sides struggling to find their shooting range. At the end of the first quarter, Kearsney held a slim 8-7 lead.
In the second quarter, the visitors found their shooting stroke and their defensive structure, adding 21 points without conceding any to go into the break leading 29-7.
Clifton picked up their game in the second half, but Kearsney comfortably eased clear, with the home side adding 14 points and the visitors tacking on another 37.
At Westville, the visitors, St Charles College, pulled off a hard-fought 10-point victory over Westville Boys’ High, winning 69-59.
In Balgowan, the honours in the big clash between Michaelhouse and Hilton College went to the visitors, who came away with a six-point win, 62-46.
RESULTS
Kearsney College 62-21 Clifton College
Hilton College 52-46 Michaelhouse
Northwood 66-52 Maritzburg College
St Charles College 69-59 Westville Boys’ High
