The Heritage School U19 Boys Basketball Team popularly known as “Blue Bloods” won the inaugural St John’s College Basketball Tournament which was played from Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd September 2016. Twelve schools participated in the tournament namely; Prince Edward, Christian Brothers College, Gateway, Eaglesvale, Watershed, Petra, St John’s High, Peterhouse Boys, St George’s College, St John’s College, Westridge and The Heritage School.
The Heritage School was in Pool A which consisted of St John’s College, St George’s, Watershed, Eaglesvale and C.B.C. this was the pool of death as all the basketball powerhouses were in this group. The first game was against St George’s and it was the best games in the pool games. The game went to the wire but unfortunately, we lost by 4 points. The loss motivated the boys to “Aim Higher”. The team went on to win their next three games easily dispatching C.B.C., Watershed, and Eaglesvale to book a place in the quarter finals. Having qualified for the quarter finals the team got complacent losing their last pool game to the hosts St John’s College.
The quarter final was against Petra. It was an early morning game and with the serious pep talk they had received from their coach after losing the last game still ringing in their ears the team was buzzing. all The boys where in attack mode right from the first whistle. It turned out to be a one sided affair as the “Blue Bloods” trounced Petra 59-15. Man of the match was Marshall Matsekwa who was brilliant in offense and controlled the defense. The semi-final match up was a repeat of the pool game against St George’s College. It was an exciting game with the lead changing a record 15 times. In the end, brilliant defense from the “Blue Bloods” won the day for The Heritage School as we won by 8 points. Final score 41-33.
The final was against the hosts, St John’s College. This has been hailed as one of best school basketball games ever witnessed in Zimbabwe. The Heritage was off the blocks fast and opened a 10 point lead. St John’s brilliantly came back in the third quarter and by the end of the third they had a 7 point lead. The “Blue Bloods” came back with vigor in the fourth quarter and the game was back on terms. The lead swayed back and forth and with 14 seconds to go the “Blue Bloods” were up 1 point. A turn over in the final seconds of play, saw St John’s make a basket and lead by 1 point. In the eyes of even the staunchest Heritage supporter the game was over and the boys had put up a brave fight. The time board was showing two seconds to play and Heritage had to get the ball from our baseline to the opposition ring within that time…IMPOSSIBLE.From the restart Phillip Madzinga was fouled and given two free throws since St Johns had accumulated five team fouls.The tension was unnerving and the atmosphere electric.First shot.. he scores .Scoreline now reading St John’s College 58- Heritage 58.Pressure on Philip now humongous, he steps up, shots, ball hits the ring goes round the ring AND SINKS. Scoreboard reads St John’s College 58- Heritage 59.History has been made.
Roque Bata was voted Most Valuable Player of the finals. Well done The Heritage School. We are now looking forward to the upcoming basketball season.
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Comments 1
Very well done boys and coaches. I feel very proud of you all. I really enjoyed the report too. Thank you.