Basketball

The esteemed poet Robert Burns once wrote, “the best laid plans of mice and men go awry”. Meaning, things can often go wrong despite well-intentioned and diligent preparation.

Add into any scenario a global pandemic and what the boys, staff and management of St David’s were able to achieve in the 2020/2021 season was nothing short of admirable.

Anticipation for the start of the 2020/2021 campaign was especially heightened when the government eased lockdown regulations, allowing contact sport at schools to resume. Preparation was in full swing ... until lockdown measures brought the games to a grinding halt as Covid-19 cases surged, and the country once again had to adjust and put public health over other pursuits. Disappointing as it may be that our matric class of 2021 were not able to play inter-school matches, their dedication and resilience throughout this period were commendable.

Not to be dismayed, our boys persevered. When the games resumed, it was as if no one missed a beat. The season got off to a resounding start as we quickly shook off the off-season rust with the high tempo action that has become our trademark.

Needless to say, our boys did not disappoint and seized upon this long-awaited opportunity in grand fashion! Limited by Covid-19 restrictions and organisational logistics, our teams showed remarkable progress week by week. From our U15A side, who finished the season unbeaten in all league matches to our 1st Team who finished third at the Inanda Hoops Classic Challenge, our club enjoyed tremendous success across the board.

While our whole is greater than the sum of our parts, more of our boys were recognised for their individual brilliance during the course of the season. Andile Fihla, Siyanda Radebe and Ayanda Mthombeni made the Gauteng Provincial U18 and U16 squads, while Christiano Partride and Jordan Cloete represented Johannesburg district and contributed to their winning gold medals in the provincial games.

As we continue to build, the key areas of focus for improvement in the next season will be individual player skill and technical development and team cohesive play. It is important that our players understand their role and duties within the team and have the prerequisite skills to effectively perform those duties. We are lucky to have a highly skilled, hardworking and knowledgeable coaching staff who continues to lay the groundwork for even bigger things to come.

I would like to thank all our players, staff and parents for their support through the years, without you there’s no St David’s basketball. A huge thank you to Mr Ireland and the school management for the work that they continue to do for our club. The players and coaches owe you a lot of thanks.

I encourage everyone to get onboard again and continue to make this club the envy of all school basketball in South Africa.

Basketball Awards

MIC:

• Elvis Ukpong

Captain:

• Andile Fihla

Team award:

• Sibahle Phangela

Half Colours:

• Jordan Cloete • Paolo Antezanna • Matthew Bester • William Fyffe

Full Colours:

• Andile Fihla • Sanele Parirenyatwa • Mbilu Mabilu

District Representation:

• Christiano Partride • Jordan Cloete

Provincial Representation:

• Andile Fihla • Ayanda Mthombeni • Siyanda Radebe

Elvis Ukpong

Basketball Coordinator

Basketball U16A

Back row: Isaac Amadasun, Christiano Partridge, Ayanda Mthombeni, Luzinguluami Mgcina, Kian Smith 2nd row :Thomas Charter, Samuel Amoês, Joshua Chambers, Richard Hao, Madalitso Nasoro, Alessandro Paravano, Joshua Hwindingwi Front row :Sivuyile Madikizela, Roko Vidjak, Peter Van Niekerk, Mr C Kock, Siyanda Radebe, Alessandro D’Alessio, Thomas Purchase

Basketball U16B

Back row: Njabulo Twala, Leonardo Truda, Ben Fourie Front row: Matteo Buxman, Mogale Baas, Mr B Kembo, Lukhanye Peni, Tristan Duarte

Basketball Open team

Back row: Mbilu Mabilu, Unathi Shongwe, Jordan Cloete, Matthew Bester, Paolo Antezana, Luthando Mdletshe, Pharrell Lebelo 2nd row: Jabulani Lebewane, William Fyffe, Sanele Parirenyatwa, Ashley Madonsela, Kwadjo Addo-Obiri, Zukhanye Peni, Thando Dhliwayo Front row: Thibedi Tloubatla, Mr M Selatwe, Mr E Ukpong, Andile Fihla, Mr C Kock, Komon Fegue, Alessandro Nahman

Basketball U15

Back row : Michael Elfick, Siviwe Goqwana, Kopano Moepeng, Tahin Patel, Liam Billingham, Daniel Rebelo, Colin Kruger, Ethan Vosse 4th row: Lukhanyo Oniwe, Sebastian Toet, Oluchi Chicalia, Bonga Mathe, Kuzivakwashe Majuru, Alexander Renouprez, James Clegg, Julani Mkhwanazi, Enrico Guiducci, Camagu! Makubalo, D’Andre Mushonga 3rd row: Azile Pooe, Teegen Rossini, Waishe Dube, Blessing Ayong, Connor Hughes, Luke Gander, Simphiwe Zindela, Marcel Hallowes, Tumi Mafojane, Kweku Koranteng, Ratanang Malema 2nd row: Nicholas Du Toit, Ethan Ford, Angus Shave, Thapelo Phukubye, Tadiwa Mutasa, Thando Khumalo, Theo Fonternel, Sibusiso Letsoalo, Dumisa Ngobese, Jared Collison, Kwame Ndegwa Front row: Nicolo De Aguiar, Kutlwano Kekana, Mudiwa Ndimande, Liam Chawasema, Mr N Xaba, Mr M Molelekoa, Mr T Tumelo, Mr S Rubinek, Phemelo Ratlhagane, Siyabonga Mchunu, Nikola Truda

Basketball U14

Back row: Lathi-Tha Mtumtum, James Behr, Vuyolwethu Musa, Kallen Pick, Nkazimulo Xulu, John-John Bukanga 3rd row: Reece Massey, Soham Gokul, Benjamin Smith, Anthony Bakos, Loapi Matlapeng, Robi Gramigna, Itaishe Mhungu, Benjamin Barbeli, Levashan Dorasamy, Giulio Cianfanelli, Christopher Jack 2nd row: Aiden Mc Elligott, Tristan Rapmund, Nicholas Venizelos, Wellington Nkosinathi Sibande, Oliver Maskell, Tumelo Phukubye, Zinathi Mthethwa, Muhluri Malabie, Lwandle Ncube, Jayden Maroun, Kgethego Munyai Front row: Lemuel Muzarewetu, Roy Kameni Nguedam, Tsaone Ntlhokwa, Vidur Pillay, Ms B Chendip, Keitumetse Senamela, Mr A Cocomello, Joseph Le Roy, Neo Madyibi, Jordan Byres, Zuri Ojwang-Bangura