Basketball

Basketball 1st team

Back row: Rhonnan Bernariusz, Ethan Nair, Siyabonga Nkomo, Wayne Eckstein, Samuel Smith Front row: Blake Fortuin, Musa Phangela, Nathan Hwindingwi, Mr R Longland, Nicolas Salamousas, Mbulelo Madikizela, Moeletsi Moloi

Basketball 2nd team

Back row: Benjamin Viljoen, Amandla Khawe, Itumeleng Moerane, Luke Rundle Front row: Daniel Rautenbach, Ruan Fonternel, Adam Garnett, Mr R Longland, Roberto Sacerdote, Luca Moreira, David Onunda

Basketball 3rd team

Back row: Matthew Haggard, Chris Theorides, Michael Wands, Joshua Fynn Front row: Giulio De Villiers, Jason Schulz, Khayalethu Nouse, Mr R Longland, Daniel Brook, Nathi Ncukana, Tshiamo Modise

Basketball Grade 6A

Back row: Lelelentle Ntlhokwa, Matteo Samuel, Lizwi Ngwenya, Sean Tonge, Angelo Henderson, Claudio D’Alessio Front row: Tokelo Moloi, Dominic Shimmin, Mr K Makola, Sifiso Sitole, Alexander Morais

Basketball Grade 6B

Back row: Andrew MacNair, Mthawelanga Dyonase, Juan Potjes, Adrian Chimhandamba Front row: Oliver Bauer, Kganya Mashamba, Mr K Makola, John Lamb, Jamie Byres

Basketball Grade 6C

Back row: Daniel Nyamgero, Matthew Charter, Nicholas Gorman Front row: Jordan Russell, Luca Giletti, Mr K Makola, David Hudson, Liam Van Rooyen After a successful season last year, the aim was to continue on this trend - keeping the boys working hard while having fun in order to ensure that they could compete at an elevated level.

Since the introduction of Basketball to the Prep school 3 years ago, we have seen an increase in the number of boys signing-up for the sport. Interest in basketball is increasing and boys in increasingly younger grades are wanting to join practice sessions and learn about the sport. We can also see the boys actively working harder to improve and represent the colours of St David’s well.

The appointment of more junior coaches allowed us to be able to give each child more individual attention, allowing them to grow and improve at a faster rate. Sharing the courts with the senior teams at a number of practice times, proved to be a challenge due to the average of 3 teams per grade and 6 teams per court. However, through dedication and hard work from both players and coaches allowed for this to work, and the Prep boys benefitted from being able to watch the more experienced players in the College and the XI’s teamwork. We were also fortunate to see good results on the court.

The Prep Basketball boys participated in the Catholic Schools Festival held at Holy Family College. The boys played 5 games in total and put in a stellar performance, coming home with 2 wins, 2 draws and a loss. Claudio D`Allesio, in was selected as an All-Star player in the Festival. With Lelentle Ntholkwa alongside him on the court, they both played a pivotal role in the way the team played, and the leadership they displayed on the court helped us greatly. Later in the year, we participated in the St John’s Tournament. The boys put up a good fight in every game and represented the school well by giving all they had to the game but were unfortunately knocked out in the group stages – a result they took as true Marist gentlemen.

The St David’s Marist Inanda Basketball programme is functioning well and providing pleasing results on the court, but there is always room for improvement. We hope to extend the programme in the coming years and grow our offering even further.

Mr E Ukpong

Director of Basketball