Every year, the St Mary’s 1st basketball team travels to Pietermaritzburg to take part in the Val Fowler Basketball Tournament. For the first time, the U16 basketball team joined what was set to be an eventful tour. The tournament provided an opportunity for the teams to bond, develop our skills and build a solid foundation for the upcoming season. Both teams did superbly, with the U16s being placed 10th and the 1st team coming in second after losing in the finals against the hosts, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School. In addition to this, Khanyisile Nyawa and I were selected as most valuable players of our respective teams.

A huge thank you is extended to our coaches, Christa Kgamphe, Lerato Letsoalo and Palesa Masinga. Without the three coaches, the tour would have been impossible. They went from being our coaches to being our mothers and played multiple roles in between coaching both teams. With sadness, we also say goodbye to our matrics, as this was their last schools’ basketball tournament. They played a big role in the team by mentoring the younger players and leading the team on and off court. It was a tour full of fun memories and experiences, which we will cherish forever.

Rethabile Ramapulane
Form IV