PiperManolas
In the clash between two top four teams from last season’s Auckland Secondary Schools Premier competition full court pressure from Auckland Girls Grammar School forced Westlake Girls High into early turnovers and they trailed 25-14 at quarter time.
Quality passing from Elianna Tuaiti fuelled transition baskets for Karma Skilton-Roberts and Tyla Tuala while Emme Shearer was the beneficiary of a flowing Westlake offence at the other end.
Elianna Tuaiti picked up two quick fouls in the second taking her to four personal and a spell on the bench. Her presence was missed as a brace of Jess Moors baskets and Shearer free throws pulled Lake to within four points (38-34).
Tuala had (13pts) as AGGS led 42-37 at the break with Moors (12pts) leading the Westlake scoring.
A Tuala three initiated a 7-2 Grammar run at the start of the second half – the run ended by a Piper Minolas basket.
Teneva Ropati scored in transition to stretch the Grammar lead to double figures.
Mareta Davidson and Mele Latu both excelled on the boards for their respective teams as Rionne Papa converted a left hand put back to leave Grammar ahead 68-49 at the end of the third.
A Piper Manolas three and a slashing drive from the same player did little to interrupt Grammar’s dominance in the fourth quarter. The defending champions, with numerous scoring threats playing their part, ran out comfortable winners 91-70
Score: Westlake 91 -Moors 20, Shearer 18 Manolas 9 AGGS 70 – Skilton-Roberts 18, Tuala 18, T Ropati 14, E Tuaiti 10
Rangitoto College quickly forged an 18-9 advantage over Avondale College and extended that to 34-17 by half-time. Kaitlin Burgess landed a timely three for Rangi but it was 8 points each from Bella Elgar and Centaine Noon-Duckworth that did most of the damage.
Avondale relied almost exclusively on the scoring abilities of Ngakita Paton-Young and Maclani Michael who both had fine games but they fell further behind in the third to trail 50-23 at the end of the period.
Metissa Edwards opened the Avondale account in the final period but a bunch of different scorers helped ease Rangitoto to a second win of the season.
Score: Rangitoto 70 – Noon Duckworth 17, Burgess 11, Elgar 11, Moania Spooner 11Avondale 39 – Paton-Young 13 Michael 21
Massey High also made it two wins from two outings with a relatively straightforward 99-47 win at newcomers Carmel College.
Massey got out to a 25-8 first quarter lead with Alyesha Schuster nabbing 7 early points. Emily Broomfield scored 10 points as the hosts put in an improved showing in the second period but they still trailed 48-23 at the break. Terina Aratangi and Schuster had 10 points each at half-time.
The visitors, with the scoring load shared, continued to dominate in the second half helped greatly by the rebounding efforts of Tessa Nikolaison who accumulated 13 boards in the game.
Score: Carmel 47 – Broomfield 26, Millie Simpson 8. Massey 99 – Aratangi 23, Schuster 19, Shauna Povey 12/6 steals, Sophie Davis 9, Nikolaison 5/13rebs
In the other game Mt Albert Grammar beat Orewa College 93-22 with Trinity Peau a single game high for the season with 42 points.
MAGS 93 – Trinity Peau 42, Moanekah Vaai 21, Monica Kelly 16 Alayna Kamuhemu 8 Orewa 22 – Ariana Henare 7, Janke Pretorius 5
Premier Standings
2-0 AGGS, Rangitoto, Massey
1-0 Mt Albert
0-1 Westlake
0-2 Carmel, Avondale, Orewa
Results from Senior A Grade:
Epsom 78 Birkenhead 38
Mt Roskill 53 Pakuranga 32
St Kentigern beat St Marys
Senior A Standings
2-0 Epsom
1-0 St Kentigern
1-1 St Marys, Mt Roskill, Birkenhead
0-1 Diocesan
0-2 Pakuranga
LACEY LOWDOWN 