From James Lissaman
This week marked the start of Divisional play in the McDonald’s Whelan Trophy, with nine teams competing in Division I, and six in Division II.
The Avonside Lady Eagles had their first win of the season against Hillmorton High. The game was locked at 23-23 just before halftime before Avonside went on a 14-0 run. The Lady Eagles just held on as Hillmorton closed the gap to two points (54-52) near the end of the game, before Molly Cockburn scored the final four points to ice the game for Avonside 58-52.
Bella Digby led the winners with 17p, and Molly Cockburn had 14p. Hillmorton’s Michelle Scott had 19p, and Holly Iafeta had 10p.
In Division I, Middleton Grange continued their strong play, accounting for Ashburton College 81-58 in a game that gradually got further and further away for the visitors, who were only down 38-27 just before half time. Canterbury Wildcat Lauryn Hippolite led all scorers with 23p, and fellow Wildcat Aimee Book had 19p. Ashburton’s Sophie Adams had 19p and Samantha Arnold 10p in the loss.
In the Thompson Trophy, Ashburton faced off against Shirley Boys’, in an exciting back and forth match, as the two teams were within three points of each other most of the game. Shirley was able to seal the win once getting into the bonus with five minutes to go 86-80. Hamsa Shire (24p) and Loyal Patelsio (16p) taking advantage of the bonus, with Joel Jeffrey (15p 3b) and Solomona Nanai (10p) also reaching double figures for the Spartans. Josh Lowe and Mitchel Prendergast had 16p each, and Gareth Hunt 10p for the Ashburton team in the loss.
Middleton Grange easily beat St. Bede’s 110-64, with a 31-3 run in the second half putting the game to rest. Joash Castillo shot 8/16 from behind the arc as he got to 27p, and Angus McWilliam didn’t disappoint in his first game back from injury with 13p, 12r, 8a. Ben Carlile-Smith (17p) and Pedro Makaafi (14p) rounded out the double figure scorers for the Gators. Tom Hughes again led St. Bede’s in scoring (27p 6a), with Caleb Conyers (16p) also hitting double figures.
Hillmorton doubled up Hornby High School 124-62, with a 22-0 run in the middle of the game being too much for Hornby to overcome. Ihaia Kendrew (25p) and Joshua Nickel (22p) both got over twenty, with Mahonri Tauiliili-Pau (16p), Ihaia Cox-Winiata (15p) and Talisau Paulo (10p) joining in double figures. Rylu Dequita had 13p and both Guy Cooper and Harvey Mesias had ten points each for Hornby.
Linwood College went down to Papanui High 97-70, with Rhoi Sanchez again leading the way (20p), JC Kabigting (14p) and Dehn Mitchell (10p) also providing some scoring for the hosts. A new Dowson Cup holder was found, as Burnside fell to Cashmere 76-55.
All Results:
Whelan Division I
Rangi Ruru 63-39 Kaiapoi
Burnside 102-89 Cashmere
Middleton Grange 81-58 Ashburton
St. Andrew’s 66-33 Rangiora
Bye – Christchurch Girls’
Ladder
Whelan Division II
St. Margaret’s 54-49 Lincoln
Ellesmere 65-49 Villa Maria
Avonside 58-52 Hillmorton
Ladder
Thompson Division I
Shirley 86-80 Ashburton
Cashmere 76-55 Burnside (new Dowson Cup holder)
Christ’s 84-66 Christchurch Boys’
Middleton Grange 110-64 St. Bede’s
Rangiora 70-35 St. Andrew’s
Ladder
Thompson Division II
Papanui 97-70 Linwood
Cathedral 131-64 Riccarton
Kaiapoi 84-73 Lincoln
Hillmorton 124-62 Hornby
St. Thomas 98-63 Ellesmere
Ladder
LACEY LOWDOWN 