Kearsney College’s sporting stars delivered contrasting but equally impressive performances across two codes this weekend, with the school’s canoeists completing a clean sweep at the final inter-schools relay event whilst the 1st team basketballers battled to an 11th-place finish at a prestigious Johannesburg tournament.
Paddlers dominate on the Upper Umgeni
The canoeing squad saved their best for last, producing a dominant display at the final inter-schools relay event of the season on the Upper Umgeni River. Kearsney swept all three age groups, U14, U16 and U18, to end the campaign on an emphatic high.
The U14 pairing of Ethan Kruger and Jude Carr led the charge, claiming top honours in their age group with a commanding performance. Their combination of power and precision proved too strong for rivals as they navigated the Upper Umgeni’s challenges with composure.
In the U16 division, Thomas Bishop and Lance Martegoutte continued Kearsney’s dominance, whilst the U18 crew added the final piece to complete a perfect day on the water for the school.
The clean sweep across all age groups underlines the strength and depth of Kearsney’s canoeing programme. Ending the season with such a comprehensive victory will provide tremendous momentum heading into the off-season and next year’s campaigns.
Basketballers battle in tough Inanda Hoops field
On the hardwood, Kearsney’s 1st team basketball squad travelled to Johannesburg for the Inanda Hoops tournament hosted by St David’s College. Competing against 20 teams in one of the school basketball calendar’s premier events, the boys faced a baptism of fire early on.
After a tough start that saw them struggle to find rhythm, Kearsney regrouped and discovered their momentum. The turnaround was impressive, with victories against The Kings School, Linbro, Michaelhouse and Michael Mount showcasing the team’s resilience and character.
Their ability to shake off early defeats and string together wins against quality opposition demonstrated the mental fortitude that separates good teams from great ones. Finishing 11th overall out of 20 participating schools represents a solid campaign in what was clearly a high-calibre field.
The experience of competing against top-tier opposition from across the country will prove invaluable for Kearsney’s basketball programme. Tournaments like Inanda Hoops provide crucial exposure and testing grounds that can’t be replicated in regular league fixtures.
Both codes can reflect on successful outings that provided valuable lessons and, in the canoeists’ case, silverware to boot.
