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By Johnathan Paoli
The 2025 Inanda Hoops Classic Challenge (IHCC) has come to an exhilarating end after four days of high-octane basketball that showcased the very best of South Africa’s young talent.
The tournament, hosted at St David’s Marist Inanda, concluded with a gripping finale on Sunday as King Edward VII School (KES) edged out St Benedict’s College 29–27 to claim their first-ever IHCC championship title.
KES team captain Siya Ndlovu, who was later named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, said the victory was the result of months of dedication and belief.
“It’s an incredible win, we’ve worked tirelessly for this. Every game demanded focus and heart, and I’m proud that we delivered when it mattered most,” Ndlovu said.
For the Red Hoops of KES, it was a defining moment, one that crowned an unbeaten campaign built on resilience, tactical precision, and unrelenting teamwork.
Sixteen of the country’s top basketball schools competed across four pools, and early results made it clear that no team was safe.
Defending champions St Stithians College suffered an early and surprising exit after defeats to St Benedict’s and Michaelhouse, signalling a shift in the competitive landscape.
Hosts St David’s Marist Inanda started strong with victories over Redhill and Sacred Heart but fell short in their quarterfinal clash against Michael Mount Waldorf School.
Throughout the pool stages, several teams made bold statements.
King’s School Linbro Park remained unbeaten, while Hilton College impressed with decisive wins over St Peter’s College and Inanda Invitational.
Pretoria Boys’ High bounced back from a difficult start to dominate their later games, and Parktown Boys’ High displayed formidable composure in edging out St David’s by a narrow three-point margin.
The level of play was consistently fierce, setting the stage for a weekend of gripping knockout basketball.
Saturday’s quarterfinals provided both drama and heartbreak.
KES cruised past Hilton College in a performance that underlined their growing confidence, while St Benedict’s outplayed King’s Linbro in a fast-paced, physical encounter.
Michael Mount Waldorf continued their solid run by eliminating St David’s, and St John’s College overcame Parktown Boys’ in another hard-fought contest.
KES secured their spot in the final with a commanding win over St John’s, driven by sharp shooting and disciplined defence.
On the adjacent court, St Benedict’s edged out Michael Mount 31–29 in one of the tournament’s most intense games, setting up a highly anticipated Johannesburg showdown for the title.
The championship match was a spectacle of passion and precision.
Both KES and St Benedict’s traded baskets in a contest that swung back and forth until the final seconds.
With the score tied at 27–27, KES guard Bradley Moyo produced the decisive moment, stealing possession and finishing on the fast break to clinch a 29–27 victory.
Moyo’s performance, along with that of teammate Tim Fanny, earned both players recognition among the tournament’s All-Stars, while Ndlovu’s leadership throughout the four days earned him the MVP award.
By the end of the weekend, KES stood proudly as U19 champions, with St Benedict’s taking second place and Michael Mount Waldorf finishing third.
In the U15 category, St Benedict’s also enjoyed success, finishing ahead of St Stithians College and St John’s College.
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