16 February 2023
Maritzburg College will host the inaugural Jenny Orchard Basketball Tournament from 17 to 19 February, with competition taking place at under-19 and under-14 level. Many of South Africa’s best basketball-playing schools will be in action.
In a welcome message, College Headmaster Chris Luman said: “Basketball is one of College’s top sporting codes, and we are proud of the performance of our boys, particularly over recent weeks and months.
“We encourage all participants to not only strive to play their best and give their all, but also to make friends and share in the camaraderie of the event.”
Hosts’ successes
Indeed, College has enjoyed a strong start to 2023, recording solid derby day victories over Westville, Michaelhouse, and Hilton College.
College’s Director of Basketball and the event organiser, Suwi Suwila, commented: “Jenny Orchard, in all her years at the helm of Basketball at College, yearned for Maritzburg College and KZN to host a prestigious Basketball tournament…
“The school saw it fitting to honour Jenny Orchard and help fulfil her long-time wish. No doubt, those that are fortunate enough to know her can agree that naming this tournament after her is the least we can do to honour her and the work she has done in reviving basketball at Maritzburg College.”
Jenny Orchard on basketball
Jenny Orchard, who was appointed to oversee basketball at Maritzburg College in 2011, reflecting on her basketball journey, said of her time in charge: “Along the way, I developed a passion for the game and a love for all those associated with the sport.
“To me, the sport represents what our country ought to be; united, vibrant and positive at all times.
“It is an enormous honour to have had this tournament named in recognition of my service to basketball. When I look back on the years as MiC, I merely did what was expected of me.
“To the coaches and teams participating in the tournament, a huge College welcome. Enjoy the moment.”
Watch it on SuperSport Schools
The event has attracted a number of sponsors, namely Chery, Converse, Clover, Thirsti, Garden City Motors, and SuperSport Schools, which means enthusiasts who cannot make it to watch the games in person will be able to take in the action on the SuperSport Schools app.
Headmaster Chris Luman said: “Thank you to the generous sponsors who have helped make this tournament possible, and a special thank you to the College staff who have worked behind the scenes on the many aspects of organising and hosting the event.”
The Alan Paton Hall at College will be home to the under-19 event, which will have 16 teams, while Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High will welcome the 10 under-14 teams.
Pools and teams
Four pools make up the under-19 tournament, with Maritzburg College, Clifton, Queens College and Enjabulweni School of Eswatini in Pool A; Northwood, Westville, the Soweto Basketball Academy and SACS in Pool B; Saint Charles, DHS, Saint David’s Marist Inanda and Maru-a-Pula of Botswana in Pool C; and Kearsney, Michaelhouse, Bishops Diocesan College and Usuthu Swaziland International in Pool D.
It’s a stellar line-up that, undoubtedly, includes some of South Africa’s finest teams, with a number of them having strong claims to be the best in the country.
Maybe Saint Charles, which recently had its 26-game unbeaten run ended by Northwood, is the team to beat. Since then, Northwood has fallen to Michaelhouse, and Saint Charles has, in turn, beaten the boys from Balgowan. That’s how tough the competition is, and, of course, one should not forget the hosts, whose strong results were mentioned earlier. The title of number one is up for grabs.
The under-14 tournament is divided into two pools of five teams each. Maritzburg College A, Kearsney, Westville, Clifton and Saint David’s are in pool A, while Maritzburg College B, Saint Charles, Northwood, DHS and Bishops make up Pool B.
Tickets and fixtures
Tickets for the event may be obtained from WebTickets – https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1525400817
For fixtures, please visit https://maritzburgcollege.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/CBD0802022_MC-Basketball-2023-V1_JOI-Fixtures_A4_V4_04-FEB-23.pdf
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