SA’s top teams set for St John’s College Basketball Tournament

With the basketball season hitting its stride, many of the country’s leading teams are beginning to cast an eye towards the biggest boys’ basketball event in Southern Africa, the St John’s College Basketball Tournament.

From 22 to 24 February, 768 players, from three countries and four South African provinces, will gather on the courts to showcase their skills across three age groups. Among the teams travelling to St John’s College are Waterford Kamhlaba, from Eswatini, and Falcon College and St George’s College, from Zimbabwe.

Those teams will be competing in the u19 boys’ competition, facing tough opponents like Maritzburg College, from KwaZulu-Natal, and St Benedict’s College, from Johannesburg, who will be among the top contenders.

Towards the end of 2023, at Kearsney College’s Independent Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament (ISSBT), Bennies beat College in the final, and both have been in impressive form this year.

Just last weekend, St Benedict’s won the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) Invitational High School Basketball Tournament, convincingly defeating St John’s College 54-30 in the final to keep their unbeaten tournament record intact.

Meanwhile, Maritzburg College’s high-pressure game has been producing highly entertaining and match-winning basketball. Most recently, College visited Michaelhouse, where they powered their way to a big 67-39 win. Their fast-paced play, especially their suffocating defence, makes them a difficult challenge.

Some other KZN schools could be in the running for the title, too. St Charles College is the defending champion. They have a rich pedigree in the sport, and it would be foolhardy to overlook the challenge they pose. In Taite Hendricks and James Wucherer, they have two extremely exciting talents.

Northwood School, meanwhile, can hang with the best of them, as they showed when they beat Maritzburg College 49-35 in the final of the Kearsney Invitational Basketball Tournament, which followed the ISSBT. They had previously gone down 71-81 to College in a regular season fixture.

If the Knights can find their rhythm and consistency, led by Chadley Hargreaves and Lusanda Hlongwane, coach Kent VanderYacht‘s team could pose a real problem for any opponent.

St John’s College dominated the u16 competition at the recent AISJ Invitational, showcasing outstanding skills as they outplayed ESCA 57-39 in the final. One of their standout performers was Reza Creamer, their talented point guard, even though he had moved up an age group for the event. With terrific ball-handling skills and a silky-smooth shot, he will bear watching in the u15 competition.

For those unable to attend the event at St John’s College, the tournament will be broadcast on the SuperSport Schools App, the official media partner of the St John’s Basketball Tournament.

With an exciting and entertaining event anticipated, and the cream of South Africa’s young basketball talent in action, enthusiasts of the sport will be able to enjoy the action from the comfort of their homes.

Fixtures

Thursday, 22 February

Main Court

Court 2

Court 3

Tennis 1

Tennis 2

Long Walk

Friday Fixtures

Main Court

Court 2

Court 3

Tennis 1

Tennis 2

Long walk

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Siya Pongco

A passionate reader and dedicated writer, Siya possesses three degrees from Rhodes University including a Postgraduate Diploma at Rhodes University. He also played amateur cricket and soccer, both during his university years. While honing his journalism skills at Grocott’s Mail in Makhanda, he developed a profound interest in the community’s response to crime. Additionally, he covered topics such as art/culture and student politics at Rhodes University in 2022. In his spare time, Siya can be found exploring galleries, dining at restaurants, indulging in literature, taking photographs or savouring his favourite dish, spaghetti.

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