The Term III basketball season has been busy, fun and filled with promise. Although we had to deal with some injuries, the results and the progress made by the players has been quite remarkable. Some junior players were forced to step up and take responsibility and they did so admirably. These players took the opportunities that they were given and made the most of them.

Having our own hard courts gave our players a reason to celebrate and bring out the best that they have to offer. Thank you to Ms King and the school management team for their foresight and support.

Our U14 team was unbeaten this season. A notable achievement given the fact that not all the players had been exposed to basketball until their senior school careers begun. We are proud of our juniors and are very excited to see what more they will bring to basketball as they get older. This group has tremendous talent and energy. This coupled with the right management has made for a super season!

Our U15 and U16 teams were so much more competitive this season. They won some of their matches and narrowly lost others. The improvement that they have made has been significant. Well done!

Our pool of senior players is filled with potential. Although the team differed from week to week, we were able to compete with the best. I look forward to having all the players back at full strength, the competition will be elevated and so will our standard of play. Our senior team lost only one match this term. We are looking forward to an unbeaten season of our own!

Thank you to our coaches who have worked tirelessly to bring out the best in our players. Coach Emma and coach BK are committed wholeheartedly to the growth and success of basketball at St Mary’s, and we are most grateful!

Thank you also to Ms Makhalanyane and Mrs Masinga for their support and their interest in basketball. Your input is greatly valued! Mr Ngubane and Mr Koketso have umpired our weekly fixtures. They never miss a game, and we thank them as well, for their time and their contribution.

Personally, I cannot wait to see what the 2024 basketball season brings. There is so much to look forward to and so much to be pumped up about!

TARYN de WINNAAR
HEAD OF SPORT SENIOR SCHOOL