A triumphant host school, Hoërskool Richardsbaai were crowned champions in the North Coast Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball Challenge on Saturday 13 July. The locals met visitors, Empangeni High School’s team in the concluding game of the day.  Empangeni had the centre pass and from the whistle eagerly moved the ball around in the attempt of crafting their first attack, but the savvy home team were wise to their gameplan and intercepted, sending the ball down to their sturdy and steadfast goal shooter, Jané Taljaard who netted the first point of the game 35 seconds in.

Empangeni didn’t let the early turn around get to them, and whisked the ball to their adventurous Goal Attack, Amanda Shelembe who bravely lofted a 2 pointer that neatly slotted into the net, going a point ahead. The two teams game plan was obvious, Richardsbaai soldiered the ball up quickly to Taljaard who wasted no time firing in her attempt, usually from just under the net. Empangeni were more flamboyant in their play, whizzing passes around the center of their court as their attackers settled up ahead. Once they advanced, they weren’t shy in giving Shelembe the space to try land her looping 2 pointers.

Smashed. Eshowe High School’s Balazwe Mbambo attempts valiantly to defend as Empangeni High School’s Sbongokuhle Maseko secures the ball during the third play playoff in the North Coast Regional during the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge that took place at Hoërskool Richardsbaai on Saturday 13 July.
Pic by Val Adamson

Going into half time, only one point separated the two, with Richardsbaai being ahead on 7 to Empangeni’s 6 points. In the second half, agile captain for the home side, Anneke Louw ignited her team with four phenomenal aerial intercepts that encouraged her players to change gears. Between Taljaard and Goal Attack, Tiana de Beer for Richardsbaai, they knocked in 6 shots taking their final score up to 13, while Empangeni only managed to net 3 more shots, two of which being magical 2 pointers slipped in by the crack shooter Shelembe, taking their score up to 11 in total.

Unphased. Empangeni High School’s Thandolwethu Mdluli concentrates on her pass as Hoërskool Richardbaai’s Tiana de Beer tries to distract during the final of the North Coast Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge that took place at Hoërskool Richardsbaai on Saturday 13 July. Pic by Val Adamson

This is the third time Empangeni High School has featured in the regional final’s medal game, earning a silver in 2019, and gold in 2022, with an impressive second place this year. While Richardsbaai featured twice, improving on their silver from last year, to hoisting the trophy this year. In the third-place game, Eshowe High School took on the second team from Empangeni, with the score finishing on 15 – 13 in favour of Empangeni High. The next regional takes place at Creston College on 27 July with teams from the area participating in the South Coast Regional. August has three tournaments, followed by two tournaments in September and the last one wrapping up the year in October.For more info like the challenge’s Facebook page sparkznfast5s or follow on Instagram sparkznnetball.

Up, up and away. Captain for Hoërskool Richardsbaai, Anneke Louw floats up to intercept, sparking her teams resurgence during the final of the North Coast Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge that took place at Hoërskool Richardsbaai on Saturday 13 July.
Pic by Val Adamson

Results

1 Hoërskool Richardsbaai, 2 Empangeni High School, 3 Empangeni High School’s Seconds, 4 Eshowe High School

Pool results

Pool A

1 Hoërskool Richardsbaai 12 points; 2 Empangeni High School Seconds 9 points; 3 Tholokuhle High School 6 points; 4 Felixton College 1 point; 5 Eshowe High School Seconds 1 point

Pool B

1 Eshowe High School First 10 points; 2 Empangeni High School 9 points; 3 John Ross College 7 points; 4 Hoërskool Richardsbaai Seconds 3 points; 5 Nkombose High School 0 points