Wits men’s basketball team defeat 2022 Gauteng Universities Basketball League champions University of Johannesburg (UJ).
Wits University men’s basketball team secured a 56 – 51 victory over UJ senior men’s team, qualifying for the next stage of the Gauteng Universities Basketball League (GUBL) tournament.
Wits Bucks’ Jacques Mahanga dribbling from half-court to the rim. Photo: Morongoa Masebe.
The Wits Bucks hosted rivals and defending champions, UJ Orange Wave, on Wits’ west campus in Hall 29, on Sunday May, 21.
From the first whistle UJ dominated the game, with Peace Famodimu securing two points, only three minutes into the start of the first quarter.
Wits Bucks responded quickly, equalising the score, but UJ wasted no time in regaining their advantage, with an impressive three-pointer from Nimo Dim. This was the first of the two three-pointers by the same player, that put UJ well in the lead for the rest of the first quarter.
UJ’s defence seemed impenetrable as the Wits side struggled to keep the ball out of their half of the court. The man-to-man defence of the UJ side helped them apply pressure and maintain possession of the ball.
The match was tight throughout, although UJ stayed in the lead for most of the first and second quarters, it was always with a one or two-point margin.
Towards the end of the second quarter, Wits Bucks’ small forward, Panashe Dumbu’s basket brought the score to a tie, after scoring two free throws. Wits quickly gained the lead when shooting guard, Jacques Mahanga dribbled twice past UJ’s tight defence to sink the ball in the hoop, but the lead was short-lived.
When a Wits player was tackled, the Wits coach shouted profanities at the referee for not calling the foul. The coach’s actions cost the team two technical fouls, resulting in three free throws for the away side. Two of the three free throws hit the mark.
UJ went into the third quarter without their captain Adrien Belo, who was taken out with an ankle injury at the end of the second quarter.
The third quarter saw four more points awarded to Wits Bucks, and the gradual end of UJ’s lead.
Thandiwe Padzuwa, a spectator, told Wits Vuvuzela that “UJ was under pressure, and they started fumbling the ball too much. They started committing a lot of turnovers”. A turnover is a loss of possession, due to fouls or defensive rebounds.
Wits Bucks strengthened their defence in the last quarter, and had every man tightly marked, making it difficult for UJ to find space to move the ball.
UJ Player Davison Chivero said his team was expecting to win but they were hesitant. He said Wits Bucks “were winning every chance ball, I think they were a bit more eager to win than we were”.
Wits Bucks coach Tshiamo Ngakane said that they have beaten UJ before and walked into the game with high expectations, “it’s always a big game, it’s always a tough game, but we have got a good squad.”
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits Bucks’ Panashe Dumbu (13) defending with both hands up. Photo: Morongoa Masebe.
The All Res Sports Day brings students living at Wits University residences together, in a day of sweaty but friendly play.
The All Res Sun-Council (ARSC) hosted their annual sports day at Digs field, pitting residences against one other for a podium finish.
Barnato Hall, Noswal Hall, David Webster Hall, Wits Junction, Girton Hall, Sunnyside Hall, Jubilee Hall, Reith Hall, Amani, Braamfontein Centre Residence, Medhurst Hall, West Campus Village, Knockando Hall, Ernest Oppenheimer Hall (EOH) and Men’s Res took to the fields and courts to compete on May 13, 2023.
Sports such as netball, soccer, basketball, touch rugby, chess and indigenous games were played throughout the day.
ARSC media officer, Basetsane Sithole said “This year we are really excited to try make it as big as possible [by] involving sponsors such as Redbull; this is an event for us to get the reses back together again because we haven’t done anything like this since O-week [orientation week].”
Khethani Makhithi, Junction men’s soccer coach said, “Junction is not a well-established football team with a strong heritage like Knockendo which is known for its football prowess.”
Makhithi said even though the match against Knockando ended in a 1-1 draw, but won in penalties, he believes it was a tight game throughout.
Asemahle Mazamela, netball referee during a clash off between Wits Junction and Noswal said that the match went well besides the fact that “the other team [Wits Junction] only had 5 players but they tried,” which unfortunately led them to an early knockout.
Phenyo Leornard Moje, a player for Noswal netball team was injured in the first quarter of the final match against Barnato. He felt guilty for not being able to help his team in the first two quarters of the match. Despite not being fully healed, he decided to rejoin the game in third and fourth quarter of the match.
At the end of the sports day, the reses who came third, second and first place each received trophies and medals.
The first-place winners were:
EOH in touch rugby, men’s basketball
Barnato in netball, Barnato in women’s basketball and Barnato in women’s soccer
Braam Centre in men’s soccer
Men’s res in chess
Reith Hall in all the indigenous games
The spirit award was given to David Webster
The games all ended in high spirits as the winners celebrated and danced on the courts, Neliswa Mpangeni, one of the spectators from Noswal Hall said that she has been at Digs filed since 8 in the morning and enjoyed supporting her team who were participating in the different sports.
The sports day concluded with roaring cheers and jubilation. The reses showcased their skills and sportsmanship, plus made memories were made that would last a lifetime.
Jubilee Hall playing against West Campus Village. Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
Barnato Hall supporters cheer and encourage their netball team at the netball court. Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
West Campus Village in red plays against EOH in black. Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
David Webster supporters singing and dancing at Digs field for the David Webster men’s soccer team: Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
Men’s res in red and white kit playing against Amani Hall in green kit. Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
Noswal Hall in maroon playing against Reith Hall in purple. Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
Girton Hall in green tops plays against Amani in blue and white dresses. Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
FEATURED IMAGE: EOH playing touch rugby against Men’s res Photo: Ayanda Mgwenya
The 17th Ashraf Lodewyk Memorial Basketball tournament returns with ten more teams vying for the win.
The Wits Bucks (first team) put on a stellar performance in their first Ashraf basketball tournament game on Wednesday afternoon, April 26.
The Wits Bucks faced off against Wanderers Scorpions Omega and led the game comfortably from the beginning with a thrilling win of 67-28 when the final whistle blew.
Scorpions Omega’s Ethan Murray was substituted after committing three fouls in the first half of the game. Assistant coach, Thabo Gumede said that he felt like there was a lack of communication and defence on their end.
Wits Bucks player Jacques Mahanga said, “I feel like their [Scorpions Omega] performance was really good; we didn’t underestimate the team although we knew that we’re not at the same level-we still came out with a lot of intensity, and I love our intensity.”
Wits Bucks player Isira Harisinghe getting ready to strike after being trapped by a Scorpions Omega defender. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
Wits Bucks fan, Keeyanda Tshipamba said, “It was a very good game for Wits especially in light of their performance in the ICSL internal league, they were not doing so well so this is bringing our spirits up.”
The Bucks are not anticipating easy games especially since the tournament has grown with a total of ten more teams compared to last year’s 30. Teams compete in either the men’s or women’s division, with a further division into four pools (A to D) which will battle it out over the eight-day tournament.
With four more games to play, the Bucks need to secure the top two positions in their pool to compete in the finals on Monday, May 1.
Young Bucks trailing behind
A few courts away, the Wits Young Bucks (the second team) lost 45-55, in their first game against the Midrand Heat Basketball Club.
A game which was meant to be their comeback against UJ Orange Wave on April 26, ushered in a crushing defeat, with a final score of 19-44.
Going into the second half, UJ was leading 22-11 while Wits player Silas Lyuke, was substituted after a clash with the opponents, leading to a leg injury. The UJ side committed a foul against Matoti Buthelezi and was consequently awarded two free throws, but only netting one.
UJ coach, Mandla Ngema said, “We didn’t play well at all, we thought it was gonna be easy playing against a second team.”
Whilst Wits Young Bucks assistant coach, Angelo Quinn said to Wits Vuvuzela, “I felt it was a good game and a good reflection of the [Ashraf] program and it showed that we can compete at a higher level.”
The Young Bucks have three more games to play in their pool (C) and two of them will be played on Saturday, April 29 against Giant Ballers and University of Pretoria 1st.
Wanderers Scorpions omega player, Ethan Murray subbed out after commiting three fouls. Photo: Sfundo ParakozovWanderers Scorpions Omega assistant coach Thabo Gumede taking a peak at the shot clock for the final score. Photo: Sfundo ParakozovWits Bucks players, Lungisa Moussa Ntloko and Uzoma Eze celebrate their victory at the blow of the final whistle. Photo: Sfundo ParakozovWits Bucks player, Tirivashe Gapara greeting his supporters after the match. Photo: Sfundo ParakozovSilas Lyuke and Phemelo Tsogang shocked after an unexpected goal by UJ Waves. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov Wits Bucks players: Tirivashe Gapara, Jacques Mahanga and Chirag Jashi, congratulating each other after their 67-28 win against Wanderers Scorpions Omega. Photo: Sfundo ParakozovPlay-maker Timukudze Mhazo trying to get past Scorpions Omega defender. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov Uzoma Eze preparing for a free throw. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov UJ Orange Wave coach, Mandla Ngema briefing UJ player, Mkhwanazi. Photo: Sfundo ParakozovCaleb Marks tries to hit a slam dunk. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov Wits Young Bucks gathering during half time. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov Noam Fritsch attempting to score before the the final whistle. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
FEATURE IMAGE: Wits Bucks players: Tirivashe Gapara, Jacques Mahanga and Chirag Jashi, congratulating each other after their 67-28 win against Wanderers Scorpions Omega. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
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