The victorious team from Kingsway High School, crowned winners of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge. Pic: Rogan Ward

Reclaiming their South Coast Regional title, Kingsway High School’s first team’s solid performance gave them the advantage in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge at SouthCity Christian School on Saturday 12 August.

 
Kingsway met Port Shepstone High School’s team in the final. Port Shepstone got play underway with a solid first attack but the defending champions managed to delay the local team’s onslaught. After two obstructions and a free throw by Kingsway, Sheppie managed to net the first basket of the final, nearing a minute of play.
 
Both teams battled to find gaps in the defence for the next two minutes, with loads of scrambles in the middle and brief unsuccessful surges either way. Kingsway eventually sent the ball up to their consistent goal shooter, Elrika Laubscher who took her first aim at goals, and opening her teams account.
 
30 seconds later Sheppie increased their tally to 2 points with an easy goal slotted from directly under the net. Versatile player, Devoné Lansberg exuded energy as she rallied her troops. The Port Shepstone player ignited the finals with enthusiastic intercepts when she was defending and probing attacks when she was playing upfront.
 
Lansberg’s passion and Port Shepstone’s hard work was not enough to disrupt Kingsway who played steadily throughout the day. Kingsway’s game plan was easy, working the ball up with quick flat and sure passes, finding Laubscher at the top. Eight minutes in, at half time, the travelling team was 2 points ahead, leading 5 to 3.
 
At full time, after sixteen minutes of action, Laubscher had netted another 3 points, while her team mate Dedré Gravett, assisted with a rare opportunity that she skilfully netted, adding 1 point. Sheppie tried valiantly in the final moments, trying to catch their opponents, but it wasn’t to be with some great passages of play taking them into the Kingsway circle, but they were just unable to finish off their crafted attacks. Port Shepstone edged their score up by another 3 points, with the final score sitting on 9 – 6, in favour of Kingsway.
 
In the third place game, Kuswag Hoërskool met Hoërskool Suid Natal. The tight contest could have gone either way, with both teams not letting their opposition get away. The level pegged game saw loads of turnovers, probing attacks and fabulous defence by both teams. In an action packed last minute, Suid Natal shooter, Lereese Oelofse attempted to net her shot, but the ball agonisingly teased her, looking to go in but popped out, rebounding straight back to her. Now closer to the net, she launched her second shot directly into the underside of the ring which then rebounded back to her. Her third try was a mirror image of the second, eventually, taking a deep breath – she flighted her fourth shot perfectly, notching up Suid Natal’s eleventh point.
 
17 seconds later, with 40 seconds remaining - Kuswag’s goal shooter, Clarise Botha took her teams score up to 10. With nothing in it, Botha created some last minute magic. She was gifted the ball standing just inside the large circle, floating her shot in and earning a game winning 2 pointer. The double pointer saw Kuswag’s scorecard overtake Suid Natal, grasping sweet victory by a solitary point, with the final score now on 12 to Suid Natal’s 11.
 
Nine teams took to the two courts in the South Coast Regional, with the teams competing in two pools, before a cross pool playoff between the two leading teams. Participating in Pool A was Creston College, Ixopo High School, Kingsway High School, Kuswag Hoërskool and host school, SouthCity Christian School. In Pool B was Amanzimtoti High School, Hoërskool Suid Natal, KwaMakhuthuta Comprehensive High School and Port Shepstone High School.
 
The next regional takes place on Saturday 26 August at Kokstad College who hosts teams for the exciting Kokstad Regional.
 
For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.
 
Results
1 Kingsway High School, 2 Port Shepstone High School, 3 Kuswag Hoërskool, 4 Hoërskool Suid Natal
Pool A
1 Kingsway High School 12 pts, 2 Kuswag Hoërskool 7pts, 3 SouthCity Christian School 7pts, 4 Ixopo High School, 5 Creston College High School
Pool B
1 Port Shepstone High School 12pts, 2 Hoërskool Suid Natal 9pts, 3 KwaMakhuthua Comprehensive High School, 4 Amanzimtoti High School