Host school, Hillcrest High School were on-song in the Highway Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge that took place on Saturday 31 August. They met Luthayi High School in the regional final, both schools have been one-time winners in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge, with Hillcrest taking the honours of the Durban Regional in the inaugural tournament in 2019, and Luthayi winning the Highway Regional in 2022. On the day, both teams were unbeaten going into the final. Hillcrest tipped off with the ball ziplining its way to Goal Shooter, Michaela Clegg who pocketed her teams first point after 20seconds. 18 seconds later, Luthayi responded with an equaliser by their captain, Sibahle Ngubane. At 68 seconds into the game, Hillcrest scorecard rolled over by another Clegg point. Knocking in their second point, the home team ignited, upping the pressure with spectacular all-round defence. Luthayi, seemingly rattled and a bit on the back foot, only managed to net a point to every two goals by Hillcrest. The half time score was 8 – 4.

After a two-minute break, Luthayi’s Goal Attack opened up the second half scoring with an exceptional 2 pointer, a glimmer of a comeback was sparked. Hillcrest’s response was three individual points, with their Goal Attack Julia Cameron getting in on the scoring action, netting two of the goals. Noxolo Linda from Luthayi boldly tried a couple more times to sink some adventurous 2 pointers, but sadly didn’t manage to find the centre of the ring. Both teams increased their tallies by 4 points in the second half, with the final score sitting on 12 – 8. A few of the learners participating in this regional enjoyed a more flamboyant attack of attempting to float in 2 or 3 pointers, compared to the norm of slotting in the more reliable 1 pointer from just under the net.

Playing for third place, a determined Kloof High School dominated the game against Curro Hillcrest taking the honours of third place with a 14 – 3 victory. In the semi-finals, Kloof met Luthayi in a vibrant game that Luthayi won 10-4. While the home team, Hillcrest met the other local team, Curro Hillcrest, ending with an impressive 15 – 3.This weekend, the action heads to Curro Salt Rock for the Durban North Regional. If you are unable to get courtside, you can catch all the action on SuperSports Schools.

Finals Result Hillcrest High School 12 vs Luthayi High School 8

Third Place Playoff Kloof High School 14 vs Curro Hillcrest 3

Semi-Finals Results Luthayi High School 10 vs Kloof High School 4, Hillcrest High School 15 vs Curro Hillcrest 3

Pool Results Pool A 1 Hillcrest High School 12pts; 2 Kloof High School 7pts; 3 Westville Girls’ High School 6pts; 4 Curro Hillcrest Seconds 4pts; 5 Waterfall College 0pts

Pool B 1 Luthayi High School Firsts 12 pts;2  Curro Hillcrest Firsts 9pts; 3 Gelofte Skool 4pts; 4 Hillcrest High School Seconds 4pts; 5 Sastri College 0pts