Jesse Planteau de Maroussem interview questions

Opening Questions

1. Can you introduce yourself and tell us your role in the team?
2. What does the Spring League mean to you and the team?
3. How important is this preseason phase in preparing for the upcoming season?

Questions for Players

1. What has been the most challenging part of the Spring League so far?
2. How have the gym sessions and practices helped you grow as a player?
3. How would you describe the energy and chemistry in the squad right now?

Questions for Coaches

1. What are your main goals for the team during this Spring League?
2. How do you balance physical training with skill development at this stage?
3. What have you seen from the boys that gives you confidence for the season ahead?

Closing Questions

1. What are you most excited about for the upcoming basketball season?
2. What message would you like to share with the College community or supporters?
3. What advice would you give to younger players looking to make the team in future?

As the cold air of Term 3 settles over Maritzburg College, the basketball courts are heating up. The Basketball Spring League, a preseason development programme, is well underway, building not just stronger athletes, but a unified, disciplined squad ready to take on the challenges of the 4th term season.

“We use this league to lay foundations,” says Mr Siwila, Director of Basketball and U16A Coach. “It’s about conditioning, team structure, and sharpening individual skill sets. But more importantly, it’s about shaping a winning mindset.”

The league includes tough gym sessions, intense on-court drills, and plenty of mental preparation. It’s not for the faint-hearted. The goal? To prepare players physically and mentally for the upcoming competitive season, while also identifying future leaders and first-team potential.

One standout in this year’s group is J. Baptista, the current U16A captain who now trains regularly with the first team. “It’s been tough,” he admits, “but I’ve grown a lot. Training with older guys has pushed my limits. The intensity is different, it’s faster, more physical, and the expectations are higher. But it’s made me hungrier.”

Mr Wilcock, Head Coach of the 1st Team, is particularly focused on building a cohesive unit. “This isn’t just fitness. We’re crafting a system offensively and defensively that suits our players. This Spring League helps us trial different lineups, integrate younger talent, and work on our identity as a squad.”

One player who knows the system inside out is C. Fynn, a seasoned First Team player who has been in the basketball programme since Grade 8. “Being part of College basketball has taught me about commitment and brotherhood. Spring League is where we set the tone. Everyone is hungry, especially the new guys trying to prove themselves.”

Team culture is a key theme this year. According to Mr Siwila, “The culture we build in these months is what carries us through the season. Players must be accountable, not just on court but off it, in the classroom, in the gym, in how they carry themselves.”

So, what can the College community expect from this upcoming season?
“A fired-up team,” Fynn says with a grin. “We’ve been putting in the work. We want to make College proud.”

With the blend of young energy, experienced leadership, and a coaching staff committed to excellence, the Maritzburg College basketball squad is shaping up to be a force come Term 4.

Let the season begin.