Top teams shine brightly on day one of Jenny Orchard Invitational Tournament
The annual Jenny Orchard Invitational Basketball Tournament, hosted by Maritzburg College, kicked off on Thursday in Pietermaritzburg. The action continues through to Sunday, when a champion will be crowned.
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Division A
On the opening day, the defending champions, Westville Boys’ High, narrowly defeated Soweto Basketball Academy by three points, staging a strong fightback to come from behind and claim a tight 53-50 win.
Despite that defeat, the Soweto Basketball Academy did enough to suggest they could be in with a shout at the title on Sunday. Meanwhile, Pinelands High, led by the talented Aidan Erasmus and Shafiek Allie, also showed their teeth, romping to a 90-54 victory over their fellow Cape Town school, Rondebosch Boys’ High.
Pinelands won the Wynberg Boys’ High Basketball Tournament in October last year and are eager to make an impact in Pietermaritzburg. They face a stiff challenge
The competition at the Jenny Orchard Invitational Basketball Tournament is undoubtedly tough, and one of the title contenders is ESCA. In 2025, they won two titles within a span of 30 days, lifting the Westville Boys’ High Invitational Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament (ISSBT) trophy before winning The King’s School Linbro Park Basketball Tournament.
ESCA lived up to expectations on Thursday, overrunning Wynberg Boys’ High 93-43, to make it clear that they are the team to beat in Pool C.
St John’s College (Harare) made their tournament bow, but it was a rude introduction as they ran into a high-flying Maritzburg College, who powered to a 75-26 victory.
College and Pinelands have put their hands up as the frontrunners in Pool B, while St John’s and Rondebosch Boys’ High look likely to duke it out for third place in the group.
In Pool A, Westerford High ran out comfortable winners in their opener, doubling up Northwood B 88-44.
The Northwood 1st team is in Johannesburg, where they are chasing a third successive St John’s College Basketball Tournament title.
Earlier this month, Durban High School (DHS) became the first team to defeat Kent VanderYacht’s Northwood at home since 2020. They started their challenge in imperious style, cruising to a 90-39 win over Clifton College.
They’ll battle ESCA for first place in Pool C, which also includes Clifton and Wynberg Boys’ High.
In Group D, Kearsney College, led by Pabatso Sithole, a consistent source of points, is a dark horse unit that could make waves.
They opened their account with a 64-43 win over Glenwood High, while South Africa College High School (SACS) secured a 66-48 victory against St Nicholas Diocesan School A.
Division B
Division B also delivered some exciting action.
In Pool A, Michaelhouse B defeated Alexandra High School 62-29, while Meridian Karino School defeated Enjabulweni Independent School 64-56.
In Pool B, St Nicholas Diocesan School B and Etham College went back and forth in a competitive match, which St Nicholas won 86-60. Marist Brothers’ Linmeyer held on for a 47-41 win over Riverwood College.
In Pool C, Kingswood College was pushed hard by Maritzburg College B, but they won by 10, 57-47. Bishops Diocesan College got by Treverton College 46-40.
In the tightest clash of the day, in Pool D, Maritzburg Cubs edged out Thomas More College 48-47.
In the last fixture of the day, an all Eastern Cape affair, Queen’s College took on St Andrew’s College B, with Queen’s scoring a 48-31 victory.
RESULTS
Thursday, 19 February
Pool A
Westville Boys’ High 53-50 Soweto Basketball Academy
Westerford High 88-44 Northwood B
Pool B
Maritzburg College 75-26 St John’s College (Harare)
Pinelands High 90-54 Rondebosch Boys’ High
Pool C
DHS 90-39 Clifton College
ESCA 93-43 Wynberg Boys’ High
Pool D
Kearnsey College 64-43 Glenwood
SACS 66-48 St Nicholas Diocesan B
Division B
Pool A
Michaelhouse B 62-39 Alexandra High School
Meridian Karino School 64-56 Enjabbulweni Independent School
Pool B
St Nicholas Diocesan School 86-60 Etham College
Marist Brothers Linmeyer 47-41 Riverwood College
Pool C
Kingswood College 57-47 Maritzburg College B
Bishops Diocesan College 46-40 Treverton College
Pool D
Maritzburg Cubs 48-47 Thomas More College
Queen’s College 48-31 St Andrew’s College B
