The Maties women’s basketball team beat the University of Cape Town (UCT) at the recent intervarsity tournament final.
This was according to Natalie September, coach of the Maties women’s basketball team.
Maties beat UCT 51-41 at the UCT sports centre on 22 September, she said.
The Maties women’s basketball team beat University of Cape Town (UCT) 51-41 in the intervarsity tournament final at the UCT sports centre on 22 September, said Natalie September, coach of the Maties team. PHOTO: Thameenah Daniels
The intervarsity tournament enables universities from around the Western Cape to compete against each other, said Ingrid Tredoux, captain of the Maties women’s basketball team.
A fight until the last minute
Playing at UCT posed an additional challenge as it meant Maties had to play against the crowd too, said Tredoux.
“We had moments where we let UCT gain some momentum on us which made the game a bit tight at times, but luckily we were able to reset and refocus which allowed us to retain the lead,” she added.
It was Maties’ ability to fight until the last minute that ultimately secured their win, said Tredoux.
“I don’t think the ladies always realise just how much they’ve grown until we get an opportunity [like the intervarsity tournament] to show off our abilities and skills,” said Tredoux.
“It’s always a good sign when we get a win. It means [the coaches] are doing our jobs and the ladies are putting in the work,” said September.
The Maties women’s basketball team played “exceptionally”, said Gift Mjekula, spectator of the intervarsity tournament final that took place on 22 September in Cape Town. “I didn’t know what to expect but the game kept me on my toes,” said Mjekula. The above image was taken during a timeout in the game. PHOTO: Thameenah Daniels
Preparing for the season ahead
The team has turned their focus towards the University Sports South Africa’s (USSA) basketball tournament as their performance at the tournament in June promoted them to the A-section in 2024, said Erin Powers, power forward for the team.
USSA is the biggest varsity basketball tournament in the country, explained Tredoux.
“We know that the competition is going to be tough so we know what we need to do [to prepare],” she said.
“Looking at the great year we’ve had, we’ve proven that we are capable of competing at the highest level,” said Tredoux.
“This win isn’t about the coach or the captain, it’s about the team as a whole,” said Ingrid Tredoux, captain of the Maties women’s basketball team that beat the University of Cape Town (UCT) in the intervarsity tournament final at the UCT sports centre on 22 September. PHOTO: Thameenah Daniels