Monthly Archives: June 2016

NZ U16 Men & Women Depart for State Champs

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Over 150 proud family members and friends attended the New Zealand Under 16 teams singlet presentation at North Shore Events Centre on Tuesday evening.

Under 16 Men’s head coach Dave Mackay complimented the 20 athletes on being chosen to represent New Zealand.

“The selection process began last July at Under 15 Nationals. Today is the culmination of a lot of hard work and sacrifice by both the players and their families. All concerned can be very proud of their achievements, he said.

First to be announced were the Under 16 Women’s team introduced by their head coach Angela Perrott-Hunt. Charlisse Leger-Walker, who has already worn the black singlet on two occasions this year, led the team out. She was a member of the Junior Tall Ferns team that toured China in April. Last month she was a member of the 3×3 team that attended the FIBA 3×3 Under 18 World Championships in Kazakhstan.

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Following the introduction of the Men’s team members of Te Ropu Rangatira, representing Rosmini College Maori department, performed a stirring haka.

The haka was accepted by players Mitchell Dance and Marvin Williams-Dunn whoboth attend Rosmini.

The teams traveled to Melbourne today with the Australian Under 16 State Championships commencing on Saturday.

The Men begin with a tough assignment against perennial powerhouse Victoria Metro whilst the Women face Queensland on the opening day.

New Zealand U16 Women: 

Ella Bradley – Waikato, Isabelle Cook – Taranaki Country, Gracie Hasler-Ewin – North Harbour, Charlisse Leger-Walker – Waikato, Jordyn Maddix – North Harbour, Caitlin O’Connell – Taranaki Country, Sharne Pupuke-Robati – Auckland Counties Manukau, Briarley Rogers – Tauranga City, Rosalia Samia – Hawkes Bay, Rashaan Smith – North Harbour.

New Zealand U16 Men:

Shalom Broughton – Tauranga City, Tom Cowie – Southland, Mitchell Dance – North Harbour, Joseph Hylton – North Harbour, Kainoa Lepou – Waikato, Logan McIntosh – North Harbour, Jared Thornton – North Harbour, Morgan Trott – Taranaki Country, Ezrah Vaigafa – Wellington, Marvin Williams-Dunn – Auckland Counties Manukau.

Rangitoto beat Westlake Boys in Top of the Table Clash

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The new Westlake Boys High School gym was packed to the rafters for the local derby with Rangitoto College on Monday night.

The game appeared to be heading for a tight finish before Westlake guard Isaac Letoa was forced from the court with blood streaming from a head wound in the third period.

After receiving attention on the sideline the international guard headed to hospital for further treatment and took no further part in proceedings. His presence was sorely missed by Westlake as they slipped to an 83-65 defeat, outscored 56-25 in the second half.

Logan Anderson landed a three for Rangitoto but they were off the pace in the early stages forcing coach Kenny Stone to call a timeout with his team trailing 15-5 after 5 minutes.

Stone took the opportunity to introduce Dan Fotu and Sam Waardenburg into the fray and the move paid dividends as both scored in a 12-1 run to edge them ahead 17-16 at quarter time.

The pair had arrived at the game straight from Auckland airport having attended the prestigous Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp in Melbourne at the weekend.

Raw pace took Marc Malingin to the basket on consecutive Westlake offences and he then unloaded an impressive pass for a Lucas Mennenga basket that took them ahead 26-21.

Brayden Inger cut the Westlake advantage to a point but Reuben Fitzgerald countered, 30-27.

A Thabo Manyere two and an Isaac Letoa three excited the home crowd and when Letoa landed an NBA range three on the half time buzzer Westlake boasted a 40-27 lead.

A Letoa intercept and layup opened the second half scoring but consecutive threes from Inger and Harry Clarke gave the visitors some momentum.

A Fotu put back cut the Westlake advantage to 44-39 but on the same play Latoa suffered that crucial injury.

Initially Westlake coped adequately as Fitzgerald and James Moors made baskets but a Waardenburg And 1 play followed by scores from Inger and Harry Clarke took Rangitoto to a 63-59 three-quarter time lead.

The fourth quarter was largely one way traffic as Waardenburg, Fotu and Clarke shared 18 points in the period.

Rangitoto are yet to field a full team this season due to injuries and international calls. This performance suggests they will be the team to beat when the silverware is on the line later in the season.

Final Score: Westlake 65 – Fitzgerald 19pts/9rebs, Letoa 19, Manyere 8, Moors 5pts/9rebs Rangitoto 83 – Waardenburg 26, Fotu 23, Clarke 12, Inger 9pts/9rebs

Footnote: Sam Waardenburg claimed the Camp MVP Award at the Basketball Without Borders Clinic held in Melbourne last weekend. In addition Christchuch Boys High guard Quinn Clinton was voted the MVP of the All- Star game.

Boys Standings after 8 rounds:

7-1 Westlake Boys HS, Rangitoto College

5-3 Auckland Grammar, Rosmini College

4-4 Mt Albert Grammar

3-5 Kelston Boys HS

1-7 Liston Coll

0-8 Onehunga HS

Westlake Girls Beat Rangitoto to Claim Outright Second in Prem Grade

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Photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins

In perhaps an Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Grade first, the Rangitoto College Girls team played two games in five hours on Monday. At 1pm they entertained St Kentigern College and at 6pm visited local rivals Westlake.

A clumsy opening quarter against St Kentigern was punctuated by a number of fouls and turnovers as both sides struggled to find any offensive fluency.

Forward Vilisi Tauvi scored the first basket for St Kent’s and a basket from Summer Motufoua gave the visitors an early 10-5 advantage.

Five points from Robyn Blackstock reduced the margin but St Kent’s closed the first period 14-12 to the good.

Riana Rangi-Brown gave Rangitoto the lead with a drive bookended by pair of threes. Tabitha Jenkins and Kaitlin Burgess made buckets and suddenly Rangi were 26-17 to the good and St Kent’s called a timeout.

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Nothing came of the discussions as Rangitoto embarked on another 14-0 run, fuelled predominantly by Jenkins, to lead 40-17 at half-time.

St Kent’s only basket in the second quarter was courtesy of Renee Flay.

Tavui scored early in the third period and Tash Leishman converted a triple for St Kent’s but Rangitoto, with Blackstock and Jenkins combining well inside, were able to keep the score ticking over.

Motufoua sank a three and a jump shot for two from the head of the key but it was only a mild inconvenience for Rangi who led 58-29 at three-quarter time. Seven different players contributed to the Rangi score in the third and the balanced scoring effort continued in the final period.

With the cushion of a thirty point lead Rangitoto rotated their troops in a bid to keep their players fresh for the Westlake clash later in the day.

Final Score: Rangitoto 73 –Rangi-Brown 16, Jenkins 14, Blackstock 12, Burgess 11 St Kentigern 41 – Motufoua 10, Tauvi 8, Renee Flay 7, Courtney Griffiths 6

 

Rangitoto found the going a lot tougher against Westlake Girls High School in the 6pm game. With a short turnaround they visibly wilted in the middle stages eventually going down 71-59.

Tiarna Clarke scored 8 of Westlake’s first 9 points, a close opening ten minutes won 17-15 by Westlake.

Clarke continued to inflict damage knocking down a three to extend the Lake advantage to 24-17.

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Robyn Blackstock scored the first basket of the next period for Rangi and Kaitlin Burgess also connected followed by a Blackstock a reverse lay-up.

When Tessa Gush landed a triple the Westlake lead had been cut to 36-31 at the interval.

Rosie Davison (10 points in the quarter) scored the opening 2 baskets of the second half and then fed Sia Talafou for a score as Westlake quickly opened a double figure advantage.

Bella Elgar ended a 12-0 Westlake run but even when Riana Rangi-Brown made an And 1 play the deficit was still 10 points.

Year 10 student Emme Shearer, having an outstanding game, scored back to back lay ups and followed those with a corner three to end a dominating 28-13 quarter in favour of Lake – 64-44 they led.

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Rangi-Brown with a drive made the opening score of the final quarter but a long three from Clarke snuffed out any hint of a Rangitoto revival as did further baskets from Chanel Brodeur-Muir and Davison.

Westlake with the win – Rangitoto perhaps regretting scheduling two games on the same day.

Final Score: Westlake 71 – Clarke 21, Shearer 20, Davison 17, Brodeur-Muir 7, Rangitoto 59 – Rangi-Brown 16, Blackstock 12, Elgar 10, Gush 6

Premier Girls Standings:

7-1 Auckland Girls GS

8-2 Westlake Girls HS

7-2 Mt Albert GS

6-3 Rangitoto College

2-6 Massey HS, Orewa College

1-7 Avondale College, St Kentigern Coll

Tall Ferns Back in Action

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The Olympic Qualifying Tournament only ended ten days ago but a trio of players that were in action for the Tall Ferns in France suited for their club sides in Australia at the weekend.

Chevannah Paalvast showed good form for Townsville Flames in the Queensland Basketball League. The Kiwi guard scored 20 points for the Flames but they were doused 94-67 by Mackay Meteorettes (not sure about that name). Townsville were just ten down at three-quarter time but were dominated 28-5 in the final period as they slip to a 5-3 record.

The Perth based pair of Lisa Wallbutton and Toni Edmondson had contrasting fortunes. Edmondson put up an impressive stats line of 23 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals as Perry Lakes Hawks (12-6) cemented a place in the top four of the State League with a 91-57 mauling of Cockburn Cougars.The Hawks set up the win with a dominant 29-9 second quarter.

Lisa Wallbutton found points hard to come by making just one of ten shots from the field as the Perth Redbacks were bitten 70-55 by Willeton Tigers. Wallbutton only managed three points but she did top the Redbacks rebounding count with 10 boards.

Samara Gallaher withdrew from Tall Ferns consideration due to injury but she has made a comeback recently for Hume City Broncos in the Victorian Big V League.

On Saturday the Broncos (13/1) had a top of the table clash with Ringwood Hawks (14/2) and in a possible Grand final preview Hume came out on top 78-63. Gallaher didn’t score any points but did contribute 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in the win.

The Sunbury Jets have continued to dominate Division One of the Big V League. Whilst Kennedy Kereama was away on Tall Ferns duty assistant Lisa Townsend took up the coaching reins and she ensured the Jets unbeaten run was maintained.

Kereama was back on board on Sunday as the Jets soared away from Western Port winning 89-41 and now boast a 13-0 record. Tall Fern forward Jess Bygate followed contributed 12 points to Sunbury’s latest success.

Tall Black forward Duane Bailey has recently joined the CJ Bruton coached Brisbane Spartans. The Spartans sit second on the SEABL Eastern Conference table with a 10-6 record after defeating Dandenong Rangers 98-73 on Saturday.

Bailey, playing his second game for the Spartans, had 10 points (4/8FG) and 6 rebounds in 22 minutes of action.

Auckland Girls Grammar Beaten for First Time This Season

Mt Albert Grammar School demonstrated that they are genuine contenders for the Auckland Secondary Schools Girls Prem Grade title after completing an exciting 66-63 victory over Auckland Girls Grammar School on Friday.

Rhyannon Poto and Sharne Robati were outstanding for MAGS showing great composure throughout a tight encounter.

Auckland entered the game with an unbeaten record and but for some missed opportunities from the foul line could have recorded their eighth straight win of the season. However MAGS led by Moanikah Vaai executed well down the stretch to secure a narrow win, a win that opens up the championship race.

Final Score: AGGS 63  MAGS 66

 

Both Rangitoto College and Orewa College were shorn of a little firepower in their game but Rangitoto, with more depth, coped better with the absences winning 100-42.

 

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Grace Hasler-Ewin helped herself to eight first quarter points as Rangitoto opened up a 22-12 lead.

Full court pressure from Rangi in the second period took its toll on the seven-player Orewa rotation. A series of turnovers from the green and blacks contributed to the 60-21 advantage enjoyed by Rangitoto at half-time.

 

Kaitlin Burgess led the Rangi first half scoring rush with 14 points – Hannah Wentworth, working tirelessly, had 10 points for Orewa.

Katie Diakhaby opened the second half scoring for Orewa and a Wentworth triple also helped their cause, as did improved defence that stalled the Rangi scoring.

A timeout from Rangitoto coach Ang Perrott-Hunt worked a treat as Burgess converted a triple, and along with Hasler-Ewin, the pair dominated the scoring to help Rangi to a 79-33 three quarter time lead.

Riana Rangi-Brown scored back to back baskets for Rangi, replicated by Diakhaby at the other end, but Rangi stretched their lead to 84-37 with 7 minutes to play.

Hasler-Ewin, off to Melbourne next week with the New Zealand Under 16 team, continued to show a nice scoring touch as did Robyn Blackstock – Rangitoto comfortable winners.

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Photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins

Final Score: Rangitoto 100 – Burgess 25, Hasler-Ewin 18, Tessa Gush 11, Bella Edgar 10, Tabitha Jenkins 9, Blackstock 6pts/10rebs Orewa College 42 – Wentworth 17, Diakhaby 17, Ariana Henare 4

 

Westlake Girls High School entertained St Kentigern College and had little trouble recording a 74-31 victory.

Westlake captain Rosie Davison scored 8 early points as the hosts raced to a 16-1 quarter time lead. St Kents made a much better fist of things in the second matching Westlake basket for basket to reach half-time 30-15 down.

Westlake went on to dominate the second half as Tiarna Clarke, Sia Talafou, Keeley Tini and the typically energetic Chanel Brodeur-Muir stretched the advantage.

St Kentigern, despite only having six players, competed to the end with Vilisi Tavui leading their effort with 12 points.

Final Score: Westlake 74 – Davison 24, Clarke 14, Talafou 12 Brodeur-Muir 9, Tini 8. St Kentigern 31 – Tavui 12, Renee Flay 8, Summer 7

 

In the final game of the round Massey High School were pipped 79-74 by Avondale College. Massey led 46-42 at half-time but Avondale leveled by three-quarter time, the scores locked at 61 apiece.

Despite 23 points from Shauna Povey and a monster double double (12 points and 27 rebounds) from Sylvia Wieczorek Massey were run down in the final period.

Finals Score: Massey 74 – Povey 23, Harmony Rangi-Brown 13, Wieczorek12pts/27rebs, Alyesha Schuster 11. Avondale 79

 

Girls Standings:

7-1 Auckland Girls GS

7-2 Westlake Girls HS, Mt Albert GS

6-2 Rangitoto College

2-6 Massey HS, Orewa College

1-6 St Kentigern College

1-7 Avondale College

Westlake Stood Up but Wins for Rosmini, Kelston & AGS

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Photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins

Rangitoto College were without starters Dan Fotu and Sam Waardenburg for their round nine Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Grade clash with Rosmini College on Friday.

The pair are attending the NBA endorsed Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp in Melbourne and their experience was missed as Rosmini outscored the defending champions 11-0 in the closing four minutes to win an entertaining game 82-75.

Nathan Curran scored the first basket of the game but Kaycee Anibueze replied with a brace of buckets for Rangitoto.

Brayden Inger marked his comeback to something approaching full fitness with a spinning drive and Kruz Perrott-Hunt replied with some acrobatics of his own. Inger later landed a couple of triples as his team led 29-22 at quarter time.

Zac Te Puni followed a block with a banked three to take the Rangi lead into double figures midway through the second quarter.

Perrott-Hunt landed a three for the hosts followed by a running hook shot that gave The Faithful home support their voice despite trailing 43-37 with 4:00 to play in the half.

A Ben Turpin three and a Peter Jenkins two gave Rozza a one point lead but the advantage was reclaimed by Te Puni (12 points) the games leading scorer at half-time and Rangitoto ahead 45-44 at the interval.

Another spectacular play from Perrott-Hunt drew applause and with Inger in equally fine form the lead changed hands a number of times in the third. Cam Stone landed a baseline three but dad Kenny got pinged for a coach technical as his boys trailed 65-64 at three-quarter time.

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Photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins

Anibueze, Te Puni and Inger edged Rangitoto ahead but Mitchell Dance, Joe Hylton and Perrott-Hunt replied to give Rozza a 71-70 lead with 5 to play.

Rangi guard Harry Payne nailed a triple and Te Puni  a pair of freebies –

4 down with 4 to play Dave Mackay the Rosmini coach called a timeout.

Whatever was said in the huddle worked a treat for the home side as Rangi failed to register another point and Rozza capitalized. Jenkins and Taine Wattie made baskets and then Marvin Williams-Dunn and Jenkins iced the game from the foul line.

Rangitoto’s disappointment was eased by the news that the duo of Sam and Dan will be back for the top of the table clash with Westlake on Monday. That game will be reported here on the Lowdown along with the Westlake v Rangitoto girls clash.

Final ScoreRosmini  82- Perrott-Hunt 19, Wattie 15, Jenkins 14, Curran 8pts/9rebs Rangitoto 75 – Inger 21, Te Puni 16, Stone 8, Anibueze 8

Referees Oceen Reid and Gareth Tehan contributed to a fine exhibition of school basketball

 

Unfortunately Onehunga High School had to default its game against Westlake Boys High School due to a shortage of players.

 

Kelston Boys High School and Liston College had a really tight encounter with next to nothing separating the two teams until the final quarter. The scores were tied at quarter time with Kelston holding sway 34-32 at the break. It was back to all square at the end of the third (49-49) before Kelston pulled away in the last quarter to take a hard earned victory.

Once again Kelston were indebted to Linus Jakzst who produced a dominant double double of 24 points and 15 rebounds.

Final Score: Kelston 70 – Jakzst 24pts/15rebs, Matangi Prescott 14, Kale Lawson 8/15, To’o Mase 8, Liam Milne 8  Liston 60 – Emmanuel Maagdenburg 16, Leo 9, Lev Prokefyeu 13 Blessing Matambanadzo 6

 

In one of the oldest rivalries in Auckland school sport, Auckland Grammar School entertained Mt Albert Grammar School.

Auckland held the edge early on establishing an 11-9 first quarter lead courtesy of 7 early points from Sam Aruwa. The lead was pushed out to 30-26 by half-time as Rua Winitana, LeRoy Brown and Thomas Whyte all landed threes. Luke Fitzpatrick landed a brace of triples for MAGS in the second period.

The decisive period in the game was the third. Grammar, with seven different scorers logged 28 points in the quarter to move to a 58-45 lead. Auckland, led by Tuki Fahrensohn had little trouble protecting their lead going on to record a decisive win.

Final Score: Auckland 77 – Fahrensohn 20, Aruwa 16, Connor Flanagan 14, Winitana 14, Thomas Whyte 9  Mt Albert 61 – Fitzpatrick 10, Michael Gardner 9, Nathan Edwards 8, John-Afi Stowers 6/8

Boys Standings after 9 rounds;

7-1 Westlake Boys HS

7-2 Rangitoto College

6-3 Auckland Grammar, Rosmini College

4-5 Mt Albert Grammar, Kelston Boys HS

1-8 Liston Coll

0-9 Onehunga HS

Tall Ferns: 10 Things We Learnt

dxpaVCDLNEm86JCtxwrUOw.jpgAs the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament drew to a close with France, Spain, Turkey, China and Belarus all booking their seats for Rio, the Tall Ferns will reflect on what might have been. But for a tough schedule and a cruel late refereeing call in the final two seconds of the game against Cuba they could have gone deeper into the tournament.

Progress to the quarter-finals would have meant a tough match up against Turkey but in a two horse race anything could have happened. It would also have thrown the Kiwis a second lifeline – playing off for fifth spot if defeated by Turkey.

The 12 game build up and the OQT have confirmed a few facts we already knew about the Tall Ferns and thrown up some additional considerations.

1 When they can call on their strongest players they are good. In fact they can be very good as the win against Spain, ranked No3 in the world, demonstrated. There were other good victories against Czech Republic, Latvia and Montenegro.

The first half effort against France in front of a parochial home crowd in Nantes was also high class. Finding consistency is the key.

2 Coach Kennedy knows what that key looks like and how to unlock the door to that consistency, “You can see how competitive our team is we simply don’t have enough games – more games are crucial,” he said.

3 The merging of the Oceania and Asia zones is a big plus with regular competition assured and having to beat those dam Aussies for an automatic spot at the Olympics or World Champs now no longer our major route for entry. The downside is that the likes of Japan, China and Korea are very well resourced, have massive playing numbers and with professional domestic leagues can call on players for extensive preparation camps at any time.

4 Our best players are scattered across three continents making preparation a major challenge.

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5 Talking of best players Jillian Harmon is world class. Against Cuba she was exceptional playing all but a minute twenty five seconds and producing 25 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists a block and a steal.

6 Pulling together a largely New Zealand domiciled team to take on China B last month in Auckland was a terrific initiative by Basketball New Zealand. Exposing more players to international basketball can only help the Tall Ferns programme.

7 Sports governing bodies are often under fire but it’s appropriate to hand out another bouquet to Iain Potter and his starting five – that’s about all there are in his Wellington kiln. The build up afforded the Tall Ferns – 12 warm up games – was exceptional. Usually coaches are bemoaning lack of preparation time but not coach Kennedy this time.

“Our build up for the Olympic Qualifiers is great. We are playing a number of good teams – in fact nine of the ten are ranked above us, so we will be pushed during every game,” he said at the start of the campaign.

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8 The quality games brought out the best in the players with Toni Edmondson, Micaela Cocks, Kalani Purcell, Chevannah Paalvast, Jillian Harmon, Penina Davidson and Deena Franklin all starring in winning performances at one stage or another during the six weeks campaign.

9 The old adage that you can’t coach height rings so true with this team. We have a bundle of undersized forwards including Kalani Purcell, Lisa Wallbutton, Jess Bygate and Deena Franklin who at international level box above their weight in the four spot. The centres Josie Stockill and Penina Davidson have performed heroically. Like welterweights taking on heavyweights they have been unwavering in the face of giant opponents such as Isabelle Yacoubou (France) and Clenia Noblet (Cuba).

Can Canterbury Wildcats centre Ashley Gayle find a New Zealand passport on GrabOne next week or Opals centre Liz Cambage suddenly discover she has grandparents from Gore and change allegiance?

10 Finally with a couple of senior players now likely to retire from international basketball opportunities abound for some of our younger players. If I were in the shoes of Krystal Leger-Walker, Brooke Blair, Shalae Salmon, Katelyn Noyer and the rest of the junior brigade I would be heading for the practice court right now. After all the 2017 Oceania-Asia Championships are only 15 months away and the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast seven months after that.

The Tall Ferns have a lot to look forward to.

Westlake leave it late again and Liston rattle Rangi

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On the opening day of the Auckland Secondary Schools Boys Premier Grade competition Mt Albert Grammar School gave a vibrant, winning performance at Rosmini College to stun the home supporters. On Friday the tables were turned as Rosmini led from go to woe to record a fourth straight win, 61-44, at MAGS.

Rosmini headed a low scoring first quarter 13-9 increased to 33-26 at half-time with guards Michael Gardner (10pts) and Taine Wattie (11pts) leading the scoring for their respective teams.

Defence again held ascendancy in the third quarter with both teams struggling to find their attacking rhythm. Kruz Perrott-Hunt landed a triple for Rozza and the hard working Jack Morrison scored 6 points for MAGS but they still trailed 46-34 at three-quarter time.

A frustrated MAGS coach Daryl Cartwright picked up a technical foul early in the final period. To add to his problems Gardner limped from the game with an ankle injury sustained when hitting the deck after a typically athletic drive.

For Rosmini Nathan Curran was having a fine game adding a couple of baskets as well as dominating the key at the defensive end with numerous blocks and rebounds.

When Rozza point guard Marvin Williams-Dunn landed a triple with just under 5 minutes to go his team moved to an unassailable 57-40 lead. Gardner returned and, although restricted by his injury, landed a couple of baskets but it was not enough to change the outcome.

Final Score: MAGS 44 – Gardner 15, Morrison 11pts/7rebs, Jonty Vink 5/7, John Barr 4/7 Rosmini 61 – Wattie 16, Curran 14pts/11rebs/6blocks, Perrott-Hunt 9, Mitchell Dance 9

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For the second successive week Westlake Boys High School left it late as they secured a 76-66 win at Kelston Boys High School. With four minutes to play Kelston were trailing by just two points but some costly turnovers robbed them of the chance of an upset win.

Westlake made a strong start leading 22-13 at the first break as Isaac Letoa, Marc Malingin and Reuben Fitzgerald each collected a brace of baskets. Fitzgerald would go on to have a major impact on the game scoring a game high 24 points including four triples from eight attempts.

Kelston worked their way back into the contest in the middle periods as Linus Jakzst, Kale Lawson and To’o Mase regularly found ways to the hoop.

At the start of the fourth the difference was just four points, 52-48 in favour of Lake.

Jakzst (19 points and 21 rebounds), having a monster game, kept his team on Westlake’s shirttails and when Sam Brooking made a three a home victory looked a distinct possibility.

However Westlake captain Letoa, who had been kept scoreless in periods two and three, responded with a three of his own and his ten final quarter points, along with six from fellow guard Fitzgerald, helped see off the Kelston challenge.

Final Score Kelston 66 – Jakzst 19pts/21rebs, Lawson 13/9, Mase 13, Matangi Prescott 12, Westlake 76 – Fitzgerald 23, Letoa 14/9, James Moors 8/10, Greg Vukets 7/11/7 assists

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Rangitoto College coach Kenny Stone described the margin of his team’s win against Liston College as, “flattering”.

“They were the better team for three-quarters of the game,” he added.

However good teams find a way to win when preforming below par and Rangi did just that dominating the final period (32-10) to run out 88-57 winners.Dru Leo was prominent for Liston in the first half collecting 11 points as his team trailed by just five, 32-27 at the interval.

Brayden Inger, making a welcome return from injury for the defending champions, scored 8 points in the third period but Liston’s Emmanuel Maagdenburg bettered that by three to keep his team in contention trailing 56-47 with ten to play.

Unfortunately he and his colleagues could only muster four field goals in the final quarter as their valiant effort faltered. In contrast Rangi had seven contributors to their thirty-two final period onslaught that included triples from Cam Stone and Harry’s Payne and Clarke.

Final Score Rangitoto 88 – Harrison Payne 16, Inger 13, Harrison Clarke 9, Dan Fotu 9, Logan Anderson 8 Liston 57 – Emmanuel Maagdenburg 16, Leo 9, Lev Prokefyeu 13 Blessing Matambanadzo 6

In the other game Auckland Grammar School beat Onehunga High School 96-30.

Boys Standings after 8 rounds;

7-1 Westlake Boys HS, Rangitoto College

5-3 Auckland Grammar, Rosmini College

4-4 Mt Albert Grammar

3-5 Kelston Boys HS

1-7 Liston Coll

0-8 Onehunga HS

Latest games in Girls Prems Grade go to form

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Led by Sharne Robati Mt Albert Grammar School were in dominant form against Orewa College. Robati scored the opening six points for her team and had a dozen by half-time as her team forged a 56-17 lead at the interval.

MAGS had contributions right across the board, including six final quarter points from Abigail Roache, as they cruised to a 77-26 win. Captain Katie Diakhaby was the best for the plucky Orewa side scoring 12 points and Ariana Henare chipped in with 9 points.

Final Score: MAGS 77 – Robati 24, T Tomokino 14, Trinity Paeu 10 Orewa College 26 – Diakhaby 12, Henare 9,

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Robyn Blackstock and Bella Elgar combined for 13 first quarter points as Rangitoto College raced to a 25-9 first quarter lead at home to Masey High School.

Terina Aratangi landed a couple of threes for Massey in the second quarter but it did little to halt the Rangi momentum. Led by a dozen first half points from guard Riana Rangi-Brown the hosts bossed the game with an 48-21 half time lead.

Riana’s younger sister wasn’t to be overshadowed, Harmony scoring all Massey’s third quarter points and also blocking one of big sister’s shots – much to the delight of the Massey bench.

However it would be Riana who would have the final say leading all scorers as Rangi romped to a convincing win. Kaitlin Burgess put an exclamation mark on the victory with a triple to round out the Rangi scoring.

Final Score – Rangitoto 80 – R Rangi-Brown 18, Tabitha Jenkins 11, Kaitlyn Morrell 11, Bella Elgar 11 Massey 41 – Aratangi 9, H Rangi-Brown 8, Shauna Povey 8, Ramona Fuaivaa 6

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After last week’s home loss to Auckland Grammar, Westlake returned to the winners podium with a 63-42 victory against Avondale College.

Tiarna Clarke would drop four triples on the night and a brace of them early settled the Westlake nerves as they forged a 20-9 first period advantage increased to 32-23 at the break.

A couple of baskets each from Emme Shearer and Alesha Nathan in the third helped keep Avondale at bay despite the concerted efforts of Mariah and Teneva Ropati. The two combined for 32 points but a much more balanced Westlake scoring effort; they had nine contributors against Avondale’s six helped take them to victory.

Final Score – Avondale 42 – M Ropati 20, T Ropati 12  Westlake 63 – Clarke 20, Rosie Davison 9, Shearer 9, Nathan 8

My eye in the sky informs me that Auckland Girls Grammar School defeated St Kentigern College 81-49

Girls Standings

7-0 Auckland Girls GS

6-2 Westlake Girls HS, Mt Albert GS

5-2 Rangitoto College

2-5 Massey HS, Orewa College

1-5 St Kentigern Coll

1-6 Avondale College

Inspired Westlake comeback plus W’s for Rangitoto, Rosmini and MAGS

New Zealand U17 National Basketball Squad Headshots, 13 July 2015

Thabo Manyere

The feature game of round 7 of the Auckland Secondary Schools Boys Prem competition was the match up between two old rivals Westlake Boys High School and Auckland Grammar School. AGS looked in control at three-quarter time leading 54-43 but were outscored in the final quarter by a rampant Westlake 34-7 to lose 77-61.

A Leroy Brown three punctuated four points from Isaac Letoa in the opening stages and a dunk from the impressive Connor Flanagan gave AGS a 7-6 lead.

Reuben Fitzgerald’s three tied the scores then eight straight points from Thabo Manyere propelled Westlake to a 17-13 quarter time lead.

Grammar opened the second period scoring through Flanagan and Rua Winitan in transition tied the scores 20-20.

The teams were exchanging baskets as Letoa glided to the hoop, Manyere converted an and 1 play and then fed James Moors for a reverse lay up.

At the other end Flanagan scored with a hook shot and a Samson Aruwa put back gave AGS 32-31 half-time lead.

Early in the second a baseline jumper from Winitana and a triple from Brown extended AGS advantage to 40-32.

Fitzgerald responded with a three for Westlake but Aruwa, dominating the paint, finished the third quarter with a muscular offensive move to keep AGS ahead 54-43.

Westlake needed to respond and respond they did. They began the final period with some extended ball pressure and the move paid dividends as AGS committed a series of turnovers – Fitzgerald cutting the advantage to 58-50 with 7:23 to play.

More turnovers, more Lake points in transition, 59-58 with 4:56 left.

A Moors jumper tied the scores, Manyere scored the go ahead dunk 62-60 to Westlake and an AGS timeout required.

Further Manyere points and an intercept from the athletic forward for a Fitzgerald basket, AGS without any answers 70-60 down with only 2:30 to play.

Westlake had all the momentum as a Letoa assist fed another Manyere dunk before Letoa himself capped a remarkable final quarter for his team with a late triple.

Westlake producing a stunning last period, Grammar left to ponder what might have been.

Final Score: Westlake 77- Letoa 17/10, Manyere 28pts/14rebs, Fitzgerald 17, Vukets 7. AGS 61 – Brown 14, Flanagan 12, Winitana 10, Aruwa 9.

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Rangitoto College remains in equal top spot with Westlake after a 92-65 victory at Kelston Boys HS.

The scores were locked at 20 points apiece, with Linus Jakzst nabbing 10 early points in the first period. However Rangi made the necessary adjustments to contain Jakzst in the paint and when a Cam Stone block set up a spectacular and 1 play for Harry Clarke Rangi were 10 points clear.

Rangi won each of the subsequent quarters by margins of 10, 3 and 14 to record a sixth win of the season. Zac Te Puni top scored for Rangi after a 14 points final quarter haul but there were contributions right across the board for the victors.

Kelston were well served by Liam Milne and Kale Lawson who scored 18 points each.

Final Score: Kelston 65 – Milne 18, Lawson 18pts/7rebs, Jakzst 12/14, Matangi Prescott 8. Rangitoto 92 – Te Puni 20, Clarke 14, Kaycee Anibueze 13, Hyrum Shin 10, Dan Fotu 10

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In a scrappy match at St Kents, Rosmini College resisted an improved Onehunga High School side, winning 108-82. Rosmini were out of the gates early capitalising on turnovers from the Onehunga guards and using their full court defense to full effect, leading 74-44 at the half.

A stand out performance from Onehunga guard Zarne Leuluai-Hughes (44 points) kept the game interesting in the second half but Rosmini, winning their third game on the trot, were always in control.

Rosmini, paced by twenty points contributions from Taine Wattie and Mitchell Dance, gave Premier debuts to Deimar Cruz and Tyler Martin.

Final Score: Onehunga 82 – Leuluai-Hughes 44, Joe Tufuga 15. Rosmini 108 – Dance 24, Wattie 22, Nathan Curran 16pts/9rebs. Will Heather 14pts/8rebs.

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Mt Albert Grammar grabbed the win against Liston College 61-42 but it took a last quarter 17-6 charge for MAGS to see off their feisty opponents.

Michael Gardner, 27 points on the night, and Mandela Baledrokadroka shared twelve final period points to stifle the Liston challenge.

Final Score MAGS 61 – Gardner 27, Baledrokadroka 10pts/11rebs, Theo Hurdley 6

Liston 42 – Emmanuel Maagdenburg 13, John Fabian 9, Lev Prokefyeu 8 Kim Estonactor 7,

Boys Standings after 7 rounds;

6-1 Westlake Boys HS, Rangitoto College

4-3 Auckland Grammar, Mt Albert Grammar, Rosmini College

3-4 Kelston Boys HS

1-6 Liston Coll

0-7 Onehunga HS