The girls final at the 2015 SAS Secondary Schools National Championships in Palmerston North was won by St Peter’s, Cambridge beating Wellington Girls College 64-54. The win comes after St Peter’s had also claimed the national 3 on 3 title earlier in the year.
Caitlin Grice, a key member of the Wellington team opened the scoring but Krystal Leger-Walker landed a couple of NBA range threes to help St Peter’s to an 18-16 first quarter lead.
Shamar Masoe-James and Kendall Heremaia put together a couple of highlight plays as both teams fought for an advantage in the second quarter. Despite giving up 13 offensive rebounds and committing a dozen turnovers Wellington only trailed by a single point at half time, 29-28.
A Sinead Nuri triple late in the third quarter kept St Peter’s ahead 45-41 at the end of the period but continued triangle and two defence aided by offensive contributions from Tegan Graham and Shalae Salmon kept them in contention.
The final quarter began with the play of the game as Charlisse Leger-Walker scored off a no look pass from sister Krystal to establish a 7 points lead.
A Graham step through move closed the gap only four points separating the two teams with under 4 minutes remaining but
Charlisse Leger-Walker responded with a neat reverse lay up to maintain the advantage.
Lyric Dixon scored for Wellington in the final minute but Heremaia iced the game for St Peters with a perfect four from four free throws to secure the title for the Waikato champions.
St Peter’s coach, former Tall Ferns captain Leanne Walker, was really proud of her team.
“Our full court defence worked well for us putting the Wellington ball handlers under pressure. Kendall Heremaia really stepped up today as did the likes of Georgie Edgecombe and Ella Bradley.”
Needless to say she was chuffed with the performance of her daughters Krystal and Chalisse.
“Very proud, they have worked hard all year. It is awesome for Krystal as this was her last game in an St Peter’s singlet.”
Final Score:
St Peter’s 64 – Heremaia 17p/8r, K Leger-Walker14p/8r/6a, C Leger-Walker 13p/9r
Wellington Coll 54 – Graham 14, Salmon 13, Grice 8p/11r Masoe-James 8p
LACEY LOWDOWN 