Saints host slam-dunk basketball tournament

St Stithian’s College recently hosted its third annual U16 Basketball Tournament, welcoming 24 teams to its home ground.

The three-day event was filled with intense basketball, team spirit and loud cheering as Soweto’s very own Morris Isaacson High School edged St John’s College 63–60 in what was described as the most thrilling and entertaining tournament final so far.

Teams from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, North West, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Namibia participated in the spectacular tournament.

“Interesting to note that all teams lost at least one game in the group stages which shows the high level of competition exhibited this year,” said Seann Rubinek, director of basketball for St Stithians Boys’ College.

The U16 Saint’s boys had a tough time with a loss in their first game against St Benedict’s College, however, they recovered well and went on to beat Michaelhouse convincingly and breezed past Queens College. “But it wasn’t to be in the quarter-finals where they faced a tough fired up Jeppe side. The boys lost 15–25,” he added.

The final between Morris Isaacson and St John’s College proved to be a most thrilling affair with the lead going back and forth and the teams giving their all. Morris Isaacson would not be denied as they held onto a slight 63–60 lead till the final whistle sending the crowd into a frenzy.

“Great gesture by Morris Isaacson when they formed a tunnel for St John’s College during the prize-giving,” added Rubinek. “After three years of being sponsored as our development team, what a moment it was when the young boys from Soweto lifted the cup at the most prestigious U16 Basketball Tournament thus closing the curtain on the 2020 St Stithians U16 Basketball Tournament.”

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