RBL: St Albans College vs. St Johns College
Defense
ST Albans senior team was made fight tooth and nail for their victory against visitors St John’s at the weekend in the Johannesburg School’s League game which had NBA vice president for development in Africa Amadou Gallo Fall in attendance.
The city school earned a close 31-29 victory over St John’s in a match that could have easily gone into over- time had the Johannesburg school used their scoring opportunity in the dying seconds of the last quarter.
The opening minutes of the first quarter were characterized by missing of scoring opportunities by both schools. St Alban’s captain and forward Theo Ledwaba, who was fouled in a scoring attempt, missed both his free throw attempts, the visitor’s guard Pele Collins missed what should have been an easy lay-up in a fast break move after the host’s turned over the ball.
St Alban’s point guard Mlungisi Mhlathini opened the scoring for his school with a easy lay up, but he failed to complete his three point play after being while scoring in transition. The host’s power forward Ismail Agbessi scored a sweet floater after a well worked passing move by the host’s in attack, which found the forward open and he made no mistake in scoring the basket.
Offense
Ledwaba top scorer for the hosts with seven points in the game, would also make amends for his earlier misses at the line when he scored an easy two points after a receiving a pass from playmaker Mhlathini for the hosts to lead 6-0. But St John’s would answer back through their forward Mzolisi Dube who scored four points to put the visitor’s back in the contest (6-4).
St Alban’s would finish the first quarter with a 9-6 lead with three more points coming from Ledwaba at the free throw line while Geoffrey Allsop scored the single basket for the visitors.
St John’s would a strong start in the second quarter with guard Collins scoring a basket after the visitor’s forced another turnover and Allsop levelled matters at 9-9 from the free throw line making one shot and missing the other. On seeing that their lead was chipped away at St Alban’s were spurned into action nine baskets with Ledima Makgoba found an opening to launch a three pointer which he made, Keletso Pooe scored another three points from the line and Junior Kganane also found himself in space to score a three pointer. St John’s managed another two points but St Alban’s still stayed in command of the game at 18-13.
The third quarter St John’s outscored the homeside nine to seven in their attempt at a fight back with points coming from Dube, Jesse Bulabula, Collins and a three pointer from Michael Bailey, while St Alban’s retained their lead through Ledwaba and Thabang Gampone and three free throws for the 25-22 lead.
The fourth quarter was a do or die battle for both schools, Mhlathini scored opening basket of the quarter for the hosts, but shooting guard George Verughese cut the lead down to two points with his three pointer. But St Alban’s would hold on for the victory with four free throws scored by Omolemo Mathole and Kganane, while Allsop and two free throws Eric Manzi were not enough to help St John’s cause.
NBA vice president for development in Africa Gallo Fall was impressed with what he had seen and the spirit the players had shown in playing the game.
Gallo Fall
“Like the boys passion. It is clear the they were having fun and they played with good spirit,” said Gallo Fall. “I’m glad I came as I heard great things about the game at this level and to see young people support this sport is also a positive thing.”
Article by Manyehlisa Lehohla
Recent comments