GBL 2008 comes to an end in dramatic style
When you have a ladies final between the University of Pretoria and the University of Johannesburg, you can expect fireworks but I’m sure very few people predicted overtime and the drama that ensued. The preparations for the finals began in earnest with the hosts waking up early to set up the banners and get the LC de Villiers court at Tuks ready for the action. Sibongile Maswanganye (Tuks player and basketball manager) and Danny Molothane (Tuks men coach) were at the indoor early in the morning making sure the event would go off without a glitch. Before the finals started, we stood for a remixed rendition of the national anthem by a UJ spectator, when we should have waited a little longer for the tape to be ready. The master of ceremonies for the day was Nhlanhla Zikalala who tried to keep the crowd entertained with his running commentaries during the games. UJ made a mockery of home advantage by bringing a bus load of supporter to cheer their teams on. For the men’s final it was University of Johannesburg vs. Vaal University of Technology and this was a game full of drama from the first whistle with various clashes on and off the court (Toka vs Thabo, Thabang vs Bingo, Flosh vs Badibanga …). But before the big match ups, there was the issue of who finished 3rd for the men’s section. VUT ladies finished 3rd by default after Raptors pulled out.
University of Witwatersrand vs. Tshwane University of Technology – 3rd/4th place playoff…
This game started with a physical feel to it from the first whistle. Wits have surprised many with their brand of passing and this game was no different. The two teams were exchanging baskets in the 1st quarter and the only meaningful event to take place during that time was the split lip that Neo Mothiba (TUT 12) suffered. With Neo receiving treatment, the TUT boys started making silly turnovers and missing layups. They still managed to stay in the game mainly through the shooting of Victor Sambo (TUT 9). Wits set the tempo of the game on offense and controlled the boards on both ends of the floor with Luke Sinwell (Wits 12) and Macdonald Shongwe (Wits 11). With a few shocking calls by the referees, the game threatened to get out of hands but sanity prevailed and the half time score was 17 – 24 to Wits.
1st half notes: After returning from some running repairs, Neo Mothiba struggled to get his game going, with Wits double teaming him at every occasion while his teammates wasted the good scoring opportunities created from that situation. The Wits coach, Terry Nxumalo, made the right substitution trying to manage the threat caused by Neo and minimising second chance opportunities by having size advantage in the post.
After the restart, Wits came out of the blocks blazing, and Otsle Rammide (Wits 6) was in the groove, making 4 out of 4 from beyond the arc. Wits were playing some very good defense throughout the game but the standout performance was the job done by Macdonald Shongwe (Wits 11) on TUT’s main threat Neo. The TUT made a run of its own by forcing Wits into turnovers and running fast breaks, with Mdu Mkhonto prominent. Despite their dominance in the post position, Wits were running out of posts in the 4th Quarter, with Wayne Mhlongo (Wits 15) getting fouled out after having a good game in the post. With a few minutes to go, Wits were made to sweat for that final whistle with Neo Mothiba hitting a crucial 3 pointer and going to the line a few times. In the end it wasn’t enough and Wits took 3rd place at the inaugural GBL league. Final score: Wits 69 -TUT 65
University of Pretoria vs. University of Johannesburg – GBL ladies final
UJ started like a house on fire with a 6 – 0 run with Charmaine Amoda (UJ 11) and Makgotso Moloantoa (UJ 7) driving it hard to the hoop. With the experience on their side, there was no panic from Tuks and they rallied to end the 1st Quarter at 14 – 14. After an inspired team talk from Coach Mandla Ngema, UJ came back revitalised and went about punishing Tukkies for failing to get back on defence. With Ellen Moutlwse (UJ 10) pulling the strings at the point guard position, UJ bossed the first half. They were passing the ball better than their opponents and were taking the ball to the basket instead of settling for the usual 3 pointer. Nicki de Villiers, the Tuks player/coach, was having a decent half but the team were still trailing and the frustration was all too evident from those on the court and on the Tuks bench. Requelh Molema (Tuks 9) and Takalani Mfamadi (Tuks 10) were trying to limit the damage by scoring baskets at crucial times. The sound of half time was a welcome relief to some of the Tuks players who were sometimes dragging their feet on defence and UJ seemed to have it under control, leading 29 – 38 at the half.
With the start of the 2nd half, UJ girls went back to their old habits of shoot 3 pointer first, ask later; instead of driving on the Tuks defence. This gave Tuks an opportunity to claw their way back into the game because UJ were taking bad shots. With the introduction of Vuyelwa Mpakanyiswa (Tuks 7) who had a cameo performance of note, Tuks rallied and tied the game at 45 – 45 and the crowd was getting a bit restless.
With 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter, Tuks led the game 52 – 47 but with only 5 players used during most of the game you began to ask yourself whether they could last the distance. Tuks were in foul trouble with their point guard Requelh fouled out close to the end so some adjustments had to be made. With 1minute left, Lungile Mtsweni (UJ 9) hit a huge 3 pointer to tie the game at 54 – 54, but Tuks countered with 2 free throws from Takalani Mfamadi (Tuks 10) who despite fatigue and injury was still pushing to the end. With only a few seconds left and with Tuks leading by 2 points, Nicki de Villiers (Tuks 14) fouled Ellen (UJ 10) who was making a 3 point attempt. To add to the drama, Ellen couldn’t take the free throws because of injury so up stepped Gomotso Thipe (UJ 12) to take 3 free throws and take the game into overtime or win it. Gomotso only made 1 out of 3 thus sending the game into overtime. With 2 of their key players fouled out, UJ who had been rotating regularly didn’t seem affected by this and wrapped it up for a 1st victory over Tuks in a long time. The Tuks coach, Nicki de Villiers mentioned that they had made too many mistakes down the line, while her counterpart Mandla Ngema felt that they had to grind Tuks starting 5 by running at them and taking the game to them to get them tired. Final score: UP 61 – UJ 62
University of Johannesburg vs. Vaal University of Technology – GBL men final
After watching their ladies team triumph over Tuks, the UJ boys looked like a team on a mission. As if to test the other team, UJ started the game with a 3 – 2 zone defence instead of their usual 2 – 1- 2 zone press. This strategy backfired on them slightly, with VUT taking full advantage of some bad defending to build a sizeable lead on the back of the smart play. Toka Motaung (VUT 8) had a great first half and he capped it off by slamming the ball over 3 UJ defenders that were ball watching. Philani Biyela (VUT 5) was playing well in an unfamiliar role, having to play top on defence and spending a lot of time in the post position on offence. At half time, the score was 40 – 27 to VUT and many of the UJ supporters present were beginning to despair.
After the restart, VUT looked tired while UJ looked refreshed. They came out playing a 1 – 3 – 1 zone press and VUT couldn’t break it. UJ were running uncontested fast breaks, capitalising on turnovers and they quickly reduced the 13 point half time deficit. With Nhlanhla Dlamini having a rare off day, VUT were missing the services of Vusi Radebe to back him up. With about 5 minutes to go, the game got totally out of hands with Flosh Ngwenya (VUT coach) and his players expressing their disagreement with some of the decisions on the court. The referees who have been below standard throughout the season were suddenly thrust in the limelight by making very dodgy calls and missing crucial ones. Flosh and Simon Badinbanga (UJ coach) vented their anger at some rough play that went uncalled and the safety of the players became an issue when spectators also began to get irritated.
Back to the action, Thabo Letsebe (UJ 15) and Lucky Loate (UJ 7) were mixing it up from the 3 point line but the performance of the final has to go Thabang Glass (UJ 4) who did everything on offense and defence to keep his team in the game. With the game suddenly turned on its head, VUT were trailing, looked desperate and the timeouts didn’t seem to have any effect on the players. Instead of going to Toka and Thabang, VUT lost their way and the ball got stuck with the guards for 80% of their possession which led to some frustrations. With a few minutes left that frustration boiled over, Thabang Kgwedi (VUT 9) contested a call made by the referee and started making threatening gestures towards the official. Elbows started swinging, the referees forgot that they were the ones in charge; players and coaches were getting away with some awful scenes on the court. Even the crowd got into it with one or two members getting on the court prematurely; the game had to be restarted with 14seconds left but by then it was a formality. UJ capped off a great day for the University by passing the ball around to waste time and savouring the moment. Final score: UJ 76 – 66 VUT
So the University of Johannesburg basketball program finally gets some rewards for their hard work over the past few years. This might be the start of something special for this program but Vaal University of Technology and the University of Pretoria will come back stronger after doing some much needed introspection.
Congratulations to the all the people involved in making sure that the 2008 GBL season ends on a high note, GBA organisers, the referees, the spectators, the teams and more importantly the players that took part throughout the year. For some teams its back to the drawing board but until next year, expect a bigger and better league…
i think that those who were at the games enjoyed the finals. that was a good advert for our basketball on the day except the last quarter of the guys game. i hope that next year we’ll have a bigger and well organised GBL.
I know I am stretching but since UJ have a branch in Ekurhuleni the EBA says Viva UJ Viva, the Ekurhulen’s second finest after Dragons.
Phew! Also thanks UJ for saving me blushes and apologies to Sibo as I bet that Tukkies ladies’ time was up.
Thanks to Sibo, Thabo Mkhasibe and Nhlanhla for ensuring that the GBL is a success, especially in the background of the initial constant criticism that clouded the formation of the GBL. And more importantly, as Victor says, thanks to the clubs, players, officials and spectators who kept faith with the GBL in spite of the circumnstances. As EBA we hope that this will serve as an example that structures mean well and can deliver, provided the right people are involved and that despite the politics the show must and can go on.
To UJ, at long last the programme has paid dividends and hopefully this will encourage UJ to continue and increase funding for basketball. As for the players congratulations on your success against the reigning USSA champs and hopefully this will make up for losses in the Tertiary champs earlier this year.
To Tukkies ladies and Vaal men, thank you for competitions you provided throughout the GBL and as the sayiing says you win some and you lose some. The result are in no way a reflection of how poor you were but rather how competetive you were considering playing against UJ teams that had depth. This should encourage you to be more competetive in the coming season.
As EBA we look forward to next season of the GBL as the bar has been set very high notwithstanding the fact Gauteng basketball was divided (LOP & GBL), and as a result this diluted the status of the GBL. We can look forward to the next season as a defining moment, not only in Gauteng, but hopefully in the South Africa. As EBA, we will continue to fight to improve the adminstration of basketball both in Gauteng and SA. We are aware that some of the positions that we take and persue might not be convenient in the short term, and will thus draw criticism, but we are confident that in the long term these will improve basketball. The success of the GBL this year, and hopefully next year are causes worth sacrificing for and to this end we continue our crusade as history is not defiined by convenient short cuts but by hardfought battles.
Last, but very importantly, thanks to Victor, Nthabiseng, Darren and team. It is a very long trip from Duduza, Sharpeville, Orange Farm, etc. to Tukkies or Wits. As a Gautenger as able to ‘watch’, although “delayed live”, the games of the GBL from the comfort of my computer screnn. Every day, hour, minutes and sometimes seconds I would log on to read the latest scores and debates on the GBL. Without your coverage of the games I would not have been intimatley involved with the GBL. Hopefully, next year, your importance will be recognised through proper media accreditation and recognition, as EBA we will take this up.
THANK YOU,
MJ Mangadi
EBA: Chairperson
Good season guys. Womens tournament is up next. Yeay tuks
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the analysis and the contribution you’ve made to various debates on the site. Much appreciated…
Hope everyone turns up to watch the LOP finals this weekend at Wits because from the ladies to Men D2 to Men D1, it will be a close affair.
Despite some negative incidents during the inaugural GBL season (refs, forfeits), at the end basketball was the winner.
You had to be courtside on sunday to see the emotions both benches went through and the elation of UJ at the final whistle of both games… Wow!!
Ciao, V
Well done UJ.We will ALL in some instances in our lives have to LEARN to lose.Look at the bright side,TUKS and VUT have so many trophies in their cabinet.
Now the hard work of building up starts again….I LUV DIS GAME.
Oh what a weekend, Its been coming for a long time just that these boys and girls needed that final push over the obsticle. After losing to UJ last weekend I knew that it was their time to shine. Well done boys, I told you you cant beat TUT then go and lose to Vaal C’mon now. My heart is still at the Vaal and will always be. Too bad I couldnt stay to watch the final but I know the boys gave it their all.
YOU CANT STOP THE SUN FROM SHINING.
to everyone who was at the games, i hope that UJ has taught us something regarding support. when i got to Tuks there was a stand filled in orange by the UJ supporters singing and dancing. keep up the good work in bringing your supporters to the games. i hope we all learn from you.
I was neva congratulated when I brought my 2 WILD supporters.I see UJ is getting all the limelight here,whatsup with dat(jokes).Had I been there,I tell you…things would have been hectic.
Well done Uj
Since 2005 basketball has never been this interesting and fun to watch. For me personally this season was one to remember for a long time. For those like myself, who were playing in both leagues, the number of games that were played and the standard at which they were played was terrific. Lets just hope that we dont settle for the ussual and strive to take it to the next level.
Uj gave all of you haters something sour to swallow on..never ever doubt the underdogs! Those were performances worth watching..tension,drama,tears,elation. Cudnt of have asked for better Sunday ball game entertainment. UJz rocking the Jozi league and riding the waves ryt now.. WELL DONE! both teams deserved it!
Kim, next time bring a bus full of supporters..ha..ha.
Trust me,If CUT were in the Semis….We would have brought that ROOF down.The person that came up with that idea for UJ probably knows me.Dont test me…please.Next year is another year.
aluta UJ, one of the finest ladies teams that i have had the pleasure to compete against and watch. you give basketball in south africa a light in the darkness…..
props must definitely go to the u.j technical staff,those were signs of an extremely well prepared and trained side.
as a tuks man i must just say well done to the ladies,you played well. i just believe that more faith must be shown in the bench and they should be given more of an oppotunity and a run because thats the only way you’re going to build into the future. i also think itd time to invest in somebody who is going to analyse the game from the side of the court and not in the game. tuks ladies need a coach who will sit on the bench and analyse the game from a different perspective as it is difficult to do so accurately when you’re in the game, that will also give them a voice to contest some of the lousy refereeing that they fall victim to at times.
basketball is the future, lets keep it strong. props to the gbl, c u nxt year again.
yay TUKS!!!
Phew, I’m still around guys, I can hear some of you asking where is Sibo # 8. I looooove this game!
After 9yrs of winning league titles and tournaments , the champ has taken a fall. Whether this is the end it’s left to be seen.
TuksBasketball thanks all of you for the support and love. We love you guys!
Big-ups to UJ you deserve the crown and brought a true light in gauteng bball. Well done!
In my opinion the moment of brilliance award goes to the ‘ WOMEN final’ !
On behalf of GBA : GOD BLESS US ALL ! What can I say , you all know how we started with debates that we took as a positive builder and not to give up as bball was and still is the core. Some were saying it’s impossible ” GOD SAID ” All things are possible ( Luke 18: 27).
This website has revived our sport , we thank the team and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK !
Good luck to all who will be busy with Exams and have a happy festive season!
Sibo
unfortunately you not done yet so don’t be thinking about festive. you still have the women’s tournament coming up.
I see that there are alot of sentiments that UP must get a coach.I actually disagree with that ballers.If UP has been able to progress and be what is today becos of their formula,why change it?Its typical with human nature to be critical when something goes wrong.This team has done well,won USSA and lost by 1 in the GBL final,cmon people.I dont see why the hating just becos of 1 game regardless of its importance.If the coach made a bad decision so be it but I dont think that should mean they have to change their program.
Katlego
Thanks for the advice. It is although easier said than done to get coaches – Not that many available and sometimes finances is a issue. I do take the blaim for making wrong decisions and want to assure you that it is not about trust! I do trust my players. The game situation was tense and my concentration was not on the coaching bit where it is suppose to be.
I do think that the team did extremely well and that it was maybe just UJ’s turn. They deserved to win this one and I do think EVERYONE in the TUKS team did extremely well throughout a very competitive season. Always though losing with 1 will be cruel, but are happy and content.
Thanks for the advice. Will discuss coaching and prospects for next season so that they can build on a way forward.
Congratulations UJ for a long awaited win – You deserve this one! Keep it up!
Sorry Katlego. The above comment is from me, not from Sibo.
Sibo,well done to you and your team but my gals had to finally win something.
Keep on doing the great work you guys do.
To the white Sibo,well done as well(lol)
There is no coach out there that doesn’t make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes lead to losses but other times they go unnoticed because the game was won.
The clashes between Tuks and UJ have always been close so it was bound to be an emotional affair win or lose. It came down to details that were overlooked or ignored…
Like Kim says, when you win you praise the players, when you lose you criticize the coach so as a coach you rarely get the praise you deserve.
Ciao, V
People have been w8n for the moment to grill tuks. Enjoy it now cause it wont last.
i do not think Tuks lost because they do not have a coach on the bench. i mean they made a comeback in the second half and were playing well except like any team, there will be mistakes here and there. to start with, they could have won it in regulation time and the same goes to UJ for missing the free throws.
that happens everytime in basketball as each team will have their run during the game. what is important at the end is the decision making process during crucial moments. we all know that someone or a team will sure make a mistake and the lucky team will win. the same goes to the weekend game.
overall that was a good game and you can see that the two teams are well coached. i am anxious to see what is going to happen during the women’s tournament among these teams and hope that they all bring their full squads unlike last year.