The Zone 1 Secondary Schools Premierships finals in the boys and girls competitions were repeats of last week’s Auckland Premier finals. Both finals again featured match ups between Rangitoto College and Westlake.
With the top six qualifiers for ‘nationals’ sorted out on Friday, Saturday’s final was for seeding purposes and the odd bit of local pride.
Westlake Girls High School entered the game without New Zealand Under 17 representative Tiarna Clarke. However they had the advantage of having won all three encounters in the Auckland Secondary Schools Premier competition this season against Rangitoto College.
The lively Rebecca Hughes (12 points in the first half) got the ball rolling for Rangitoto, Christine Ling replying with a fake and make lay-up for Westlake as the two teams exchanged baskets in the opening period, tied 16 points apiece.
Westlake’s Zara Jillings opened the second quarter with a long three but Rangi paced by captain Sophie Bond hit the front courtesy of a couple of Casey McFadden baskets. Rosie Davison and fellow guard Siaumau Talafou troubled the Rangitoto defence, both helping Westlake to a narrow 36-34 half time advantage.
Annaline Crosbie knocked down a three early in the third quarter to give Rangi the advantage but Jillings replied with a steal and make. The game continued in the same vein throughout the third quarter as the lead changed hands several times. Westlake centre Katelin Noyer was struggling to score but she was a major defensive force, rejecting a number of Rangi scoring efforts. Her departure to the bench, after picking up a third foul, helped the Rangi cause. Rangi forward Coola Baudry made a nice couple of baskets then Tabatha Jenkins eased the Blue and Reds to a slender 53-52 three quarter time advantage.
The dynamic duo of Jillings and Davison once again gave Westlake early momentum at the start of the fourth period before a Hughes and one play brought Rangi back level.
Three minutes into the last stanza Noyer picked up her fourth foul but more critically left the court with a sprained ankle, unable to take any further part in the contest. Georgia Perrott-Hunt scored with a nice floater but an 8-0 Rangi run kick started by another McFadden triple took them out to a handy 65-58 lead with 4:30 to play.
Jillings and Ling cut the deficit on the next two plays – timeout Rangitoto. The stoppage didn’t work as Jillings scored again – and again to edge Westlake ahead 67-65. With 2:40 it looked like a fourth consecutive win for the Lake over their local rivals but Hughes and Bond had other ideas making the next six points between them.
Perrott-Hunt fouled out and despite another triple from Jillings Rangitoto kept their composure, Jenkins icing the game for a close but deserved victory for Rangitoto.
Final score;
Rangitoto College 76 – Rebecca Hughes 24pts/9rebs, Coola Baudry 14pts/10rebs, Casey McFadden 10pts Westlake Girls HS 72 – Zara Jillings 26pts, Rosie Davison 13pts, Olivia Bell 9pts.
Girls Qualifiers from Zone 1 for Secondary Schools Nationals:
- Rangitoto College
- Westlake Girls HS
- Auckland Girls GS
- Mount Albert GS
- Avondale College
- Massey HS
LACEY LOWDOWN 