Sacred Heart & Michaelmount Waldorf School Crowned 2025 BNL Schools Challenge Champions

The 2025 BNL Schools Challenge came to a thrilling close at Mandeville Indoor Centre, delivering two finals that encapsulated everything this competition stands for—heart, hustle, and history in the making. Sacred Heart College (Girls) and Michaelmount Waldorf School (Boys) etched their names into South African basketball folklore as this year’s champions, powered by clutch performances, iron-willed defenses, and moments of pure brilliance.

Girls Final: Sacred Heart Edge Navalsig in a Nail-Biter (54–50)

The girls’ final was nothing short of electric. Sacred Heart College weathered a fierce rally from Navalsig High to seal a 54–50 victory.

Thabisile Tshuma: MVP and Game-Changer

Sacred Heart’s #12, Thabisile Tshuma, lived up to her MVP billing, dropping 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting an efficient 45.5% from the field. Every time Navalsig threatened, Tshuma had an answer—whether it was a strong drive, a midrange dagger, or calm composure at the line (6/8 FT).

Her dominance in the paint was matched by teammate Shamiso Makombe, who chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds, while captain Annaelle Mwanza grabbed a monster 26 rebounds, anchoring Sacred Heart’s interior defense.

Bogolo Koi-Koi’s Herculean Effort Falls Short

For Navalsig, #9 Bogolo Koi-Koi delivered one of the most astonishing stat lines of the season: 35 points and 28 rebounds. At times, she seemed unstoppable, bullying her way inside and carrying her team’s scoring load. Yet despite her historic performance, Sacred Heart’s balanced attack and resilience in the closing minutes proved decisive.

The match featured five lead changes and five ties, a true see-saw battle that kept the Mandeville crowd on its feet. Sacred Heart’s biggest run—a 13–2 surge in the first half—set the tone, and though Navalsig clawed back, it was the yellow-and-black who lifted the trophy.

Boys Final: Michaelmount Waldorf Dominate St Benedict’s (61–36)

If the girls’ final was a cliffhanger, the boys’ final was a showcase of dominance. Michaelmount Waldorf controlled proceedings from start to finish, cruising past St Benedict’s 61–36.

Lufuno Musisidwa: A Towering MVP

Waldorf’s #6, Lufuno Musisidwa, stood tall in every sense—powering his way to 20 points and 11 rebounds, while making his presence felt defensively with 5 fouls drawn and countless rim pressures. His energy was infectious, sparking Waldorf’s relentless pace.

The Engine Room: Liam de Wet & Tshiamo Ngakane

Alongside Musisidwa, Liam de Wet delivered a near double-double with 9 points, 27 rebounds, and 4 assists, an astonishing display of rebounding dominance. Tshiamo Ngakane added 9 points and 10 boards, ensuring Waldorf controlled the glass and the tempo.

By halftime, Waldorf had already built a commanding lead and never looked back. They owned the paint with 42 inside points compared to St Benedict’s 20, and their 28 second-chance points exposed SBC’s struggles to close defensive possessions.

St Benedict’s Struggles

Despite moments of grit from captain Redirile Makgoro and forward Ikechukwu Ejike (14 points, 10 rebounds), St Benedict’s shot just 16.7% from the field and 7.1% from three, unable to withstand Waldorf’s relentless rebounding and transition play.

Special Moments from the 2025 Challenge

• MVP Performances: Both Tshuma and Musisidwa not only won MVP but carried their teams through decisive stretches where momentum threatened to swing.

• Rebounding Clinics: Mwanza’s 26 rebounds and De Wet’s 27 boards highlighted the sheer willpower on display in the paint.

• Historic Stat Lines: Koi-Koi’s 35-point, 28-rebound double-double will be remembered as one of the most dominant individual displays in BNL Schools Challenge history.

• Defensive Steel: Sacred Heart held Navalsig to 10.5% from three, while Waldorf limited St Benedict’s to just 12 field goals all game.

The Legacy of 2025

The 2025 BNL Schools Challenge wasn’t just about champions—it was about moments that inspired. From underdog resilience to MVP heroics, from tactical battles to raw athletic dominance, this year’s edition raised the bar for school basketball in South Africa.

As Sacred Heart’s girls celebrated their hard-fought triumph and Michaelmount Waldorf’s boys stood tall as commanding champions, one thing became clear: the future of South African basketball is in safe, electrifying hands.