BASKETBALL TEAMS TAKE 3RD AND 5TH AT USSA

Atlegang Dube

The North-West University Potchefstroom campus basketball teams have effectively concluded their 2024 campaign in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) games with tough, yet fair, results. USSA is the official, independent, organising body for a milliard of university sport across the country.

Speaking with Nthabeleng “Nthabi” Mokhele, captain of the ladies’ first team, Wapad sought to find out details about her team’s experience. “A lot happened this year within a short period of time,” she shared. 

“We got a new coach four months before our USSA tournament (see https://www.instagram.com/p/C5oZzGVNHh7/?igsh=ZzloeTdmemw4ZmJu ), we worked very hard during that time; also trying to adjust to how the new coach works and him trying to understand what type of players we are. It took preparation, I can tell you, and it wasn’t easy. We lost players on the way who left the team but we made sure that we still show up and work hard,” she mentioned.

Mokhele continued, “Although we were hoping to go to Division B this year, things didn’t go as planned; but I can tell you that the ladies played very well, and I am very proud of them because half of our team consisted of people who were playing USSA for the first time and they showed no fear. I am very proud of our rookies and the way our seniors held their hands up during the tournament.”

She then revealed the fruit of their four-month preparation, boasting: “Above all, we finished third and received bronze medals again. We also had a shining moment where one of our teammates, Maya Khoza, received an All-Star award. It has really been an honour to be the captain of this team, I never had to work hard with my teammates because it was always easy to work with them. I wouldn’t trade them for anything, and I love them so much.”

In addition to captaining a podium finish in the USSA games, Mokhele was also selected to join the national team as a reserve in a squad consisting of the top 15 players from a trial-camp. 

About being in the national team, she shared: “It was a sudden thing, honestly, I would not have been there if it was not for coach Thuso. He is the one who made sure that I get a spot in those SA trials, along with our basketball chairperson, Phemelo Ramasike, who made sure with necessary arrangements that I get to those trials—I thank them for everything. Attending the USSA training camp was a learning curve for me as I got to see how other players play in person and play with them. Although I was intimidated by the faces I saw there, I had to make sure that I do my best, which I did. And by the grace of God, I made it to the top 15 of the squad, where 12 players formed the main team and 3 were reserves.”

Assistant head coach, Molebo Lehana, gave his reaction whilst referring to both male and female teams as one, in a gender-neutral comment showing the unity of the sport and the team, saying: “The team’s overall performance at the USSA games was a big improvement, in both skill and understanding the game. The players were able to read the game and make adjustments within their own plays while on the court. Although the outcome we got was not what we wanted (with the gents bowing out in the quarterfinals), fatigue was the main factor in the outcome, especially for the semi-final game in the women’s division. The team was among the stronger teams in the USSA.”

Warona “Waba” Magano, who appeared in all his team’s fixtures, for the men’s side, gave his review of their fifth spot, expressing: “We had a good run as a collective though there were hiccups. We dealt with them as a team and our progress as a team is much better. In terms of the tournament we played we did not win, and we didn’t win as a team. It’s not what we were prepared for, but we took it; and we are working on what we are going to do better in the next tournaments. We were aiming for taking first position in our division and hopefully advancing to the next. Our expectations of the tournament weren’t met and that is on us as a team.” 

Recently, the first and second teams have been working night shift in the  gymnasium to organise the basketball residence league on weekdays, with the games beginning at 19:00 and ending at 23:00. Show your residence and faculty some support in this final week of hoop entertainment.

Edited by Christinet Zaal