In a showdown between two Johannesburg powers, St Benedict’s College outplayed St Stithians College 50-30 in the championship match at the Kearsney Independent Stayers’ Basketball Tournament (ISSBT) on Monday to lift the silverware.
Both teams headed into the title decider with unbeaten records after St Stithians dominated Pool A and Bennies ruled Pool B.
Although St Stithians demonstrated considerable determination, passion, and competitive drive, Bennies rose to the occasion to score an emphatic 20-point victory.
In the semifinals, Saints recorded a 47-34 win over the 2025 runner-up, St John’s College.
St Benedict’s halted Kearsney’s title defence by powering to a convincing 55-34 win in the other semifinal.
There was some consolation for Kearsney, who held off St John’s to win the bronze medal.
They won 54-49, which was a touch more convincing than their overtime 57-56 win in last year’s final after the teams had finished level at 48-48 in regulation time.
RESULTS
Monday, 21 September
Position 13/14
Clifton College 42-29 Marist Brothers Linmeyer
Position 11/12
Saheti 48-47 Kingswood College
Position 9/10
St Charles College 45-42 St Alban’s College
Position 7/8
Hilton College 53-43 St David’s Marist Inanda
Position 5/6
Michaelhouse vs Peace Players International (PPI Withdrew)
Semifinals
St Stithians College 47-34 St John’s College
St Benedict’s College 55-34 Kearsney College
Bronze/3rd/4th Place
Kearsney College 54-49 St John’s College
Final
St Benedict’s College 50-30 St Stithians College
