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RBL: St Albans vs. St Benedicts

By on February 14, 2010 in High School

ST ALBAN’S first team recorded their second victory on the trot and third win of the season when they slugged it out against St Benedict’s in the Johannesburg League match at the weekend.

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After trailing most of the game in the first three quarters St Alban’s rallied back in a strong fourth quarter finish to win what was a closely contested encounter 41-37.

In the first quarter St Alban’s looked more like the visiting team as St Benedicts imposed themselves on the host schools court. It was no surprise at the end of the quarter that the visitors finished the strongest with an 11-4 lead.In the second quarter St Albans tightened up defence as they looked to close in on the seven point deficit. Forward Letlogonolo Moatshe was leading scorer with five points, but while they did create good scoring opportunities the St Albans failed to finish them off. St Benedicts struggled to keep the momentum of the opening quarter which resulted in their coach replacing his starting five with another, but the new look side seemed to lack ideas on how to penetrate homeside’ s defence. Although the visitors still finished in the quarter in the lead with a 17-16 lead; St Alban’s finished the stronger side scoring 12 points to the six scored by the visitors.

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The hosts looked like they would take control of the game in the third quarter when they led 18 – 17, but St Benedict’s quickly regained the initiative by scoring two quick baskets to make it 21-18.The visitors scored 11 more points, but St Alban’s kept within touching distance of St Benedict’s lead, with Moatshe scoring four points and guard Joseph Mosata also contributing with a three pointer. The Johannesburg school finished the quarter with a four point lead with the score at 31-27.

The last stanza was a thrilling finale, with St Albans looking to reassert their authority on their home court. St Alban’s went for a full court press to halt the visitor’s on offence, a ploy that worked as the visitors succumbed to the host strong defensive play as they scored six points in the quarter. St Alban’s began to claw their way back into the game and another four points by Moatshe, who finished the game with 12 point – two of which were decisive free throws to tie the game 33-33, while a three pointer from the host’s captain Bame Nkate sealed the encounter for the homeside. Khuliso Ramashiya’s late two points in the game were the icing on the cake for St Alban’s.

Article by Manyehlisa Lehohla with pictures by Sarah Makoe and edited by Victor Shakineza

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