Basketball: Termly Reflection

As Term 4 draws to a close, our girls’ basketball programme has once again showcased growth, skill, and teamwork across all age groups. This term, we were proud to field three U9 teams, two U10 teams, three U11 teams, and four Open teams, giving many champions the opportunity to develop and shine on the court.

Our focus this term remained on building strong fundamental skills tailored to each age group. The U9 and U10 squads concentrated on core dribbling, passing, and shooting techniques, while also learning the importance of spacing, teamwork, and basic game strategies. The U11 group acted as the academy for our Open teams, preparing champions for higher-level competition through more advanced ball handling, defensive awareness, and tactical play. The Opens continued to refine these skills, emphasizing fast transitions, set plays, and competitive resilience to perform at their best in fixtures.

Despite scheduling challenges, U9s and U10s played four games due to school trips and difficulties matching teams, our U11s and Open teams enjoyed a full slate of six games each. Across all age groups, the season totalled 67 games, with the girls securing 29 wins, drawing 5, and losing 33. Every match, whether a win or a loss, contributed to the growth and experience of our girls.

A special highlight of the term was the 1st Team Girls’ participation in the Basketball Championship on Saturday, 22 November, at Girls’ High in Pietermaritzburg. With only six of the ten players available, the team faced fierce competition from Scottsville, Pelham, Longmarket, Bisley Primary, St. Nicholas, and St. John’s. In a marathon day of basketball playing 80 minutes over five hours, they finished 6th out of 12 teams. While the placing may not fully reflect the team’s ability or the strength of our program, the girls displayed remarkable determination, stamina, and sportsmanship.

In addition to external fixtures, our Inter-house competitions were a blast! The U9 and U10 Barbarians dominated their age groups, while the U11s saw Crusaders come out on top. In the Opens, competition was fierce and split into two groups: Barbarians claimed victory in the 3rds and 4ths, and Trojans triumphed in the 1sts and 2nds.

Term 4 has been a celebration of growth, perseverance, and teamwork. Every girl contributed to a season full of learning, fun, and memorable basketball moments. We look forward to building on these skills and achievements in the new year!