The big guns advanced to the quarter-finals in the AA competition although Auckland Grammar beating Rangitoto was definately an upset. The result sets up a mouth watering quarter-final between the 2016 finalists Palmerston North and Rangitoto.
The feature of the Girls AA quarter-finals is that three local derbies have been created after a day of fluctuating fortunes.
Thursday is Grand Finals Day for the A tournament – see who won the semi-finals below.
AA Championships – Boys
Pool A: Rosmini Coll 5-0, Mt Albert GS 4-1, Napier Boys 3-2, John’s Coll 2-3, Fraser High 1-4, St Peter’s Coll 0-5
Despite trailing at the mid point of the third quarter Rosmini had enough composure to overcome Mt Albert Grammar 77-67 in the game that decided the top two finish in the pool. Rosmini held a 3-0 record over their Auckland rivals this season entering the contest but for long spells, particularly in the first half, Mt Albert held the upper hand.
St John’s edged Fraser 90-88 in the battle for Hamilton bragging rights.
Pool B: Palmerston North BHS 5-0, Christ’s Coll 4-1, Cashmere High 3-2, Wellington Coll 2-3, New Plymouth BHS 1-4, Kelston BHS 0-5
Shooting guard Max de Geest was absent from the Christ’s College lineup for the top of the pool clash with Palmerston North but despite the set back the Cantabrians gave the 2016 finalists a mighty scare. Such a fright that they led 47-45 with 90 seconds to play before Palmy prevailed 50-47.
Earlier in the day Palmy beat Wellington 83-66 and the Zone 4 champs Christ’s accounted for New Plymouth 88-76. Cashmere finished third in the pool after beating New Plymouth 89-79.
Pool C: Westlake BHS 5-0, Rongotai Coll 4-1, Hastings BHS 3-2, Burnside High 2-3, Shirley BHS 1-4, St Peter’s Cambridge 0-5,
Westlake comfortably beat Burnside 83-60 and Rongotai dealt with St Peter’s, Cambridge in the morning games 102-68.
The much anticipated match up between the two top seeds in the pool ended up being dominated by Westlake. The 2014 champions led from start to finish eventually prevailing 76-56.
Pool D: Auckland Grammar 5-0, Rangitoto Coll 4-1, Hamilton BHS 3-2, Middleton Grange 2-3, Melville High 1-4, Waimea Coll 0-5
Auckland Grammar beat Middleton Grange 81-69 to set up a showdown with Rangitoto College to decide the Pool D winners, Rangi cruising past Melville 97-60 in the morning games.
In a pulsating finish Rangi managed to turn the ball over three times in the final 60 seconds to go from 72-67 ahead to lose 7-72 – the first defeat at the Schick National Champs for Rangi since 2014.
Quarter-Final draw
Rosmini v Rongotai
Auckland Grammar v Christ’s
Westlake v Mt Albert
Palmerston North v Rangitoto
AA Championship – Girls
Pool A: St Peter’s Cambridge 5-0, Hutt Valley HS 3-2, St Hilda’s Coll 3-2, Palmerston North GHS 3-2, Western Heights HS 1-4, Napier GHS 0-5,
St Peter’s retained its unbeaten status but only just as they hung on desperately to beat St Hilda’s 74-70. It was a plucky display by the Zone 4 champions who pushed the reigning champions all the way but have to contend themselves with playing off for places 9-16 despite finishing
Hutt Valley progress with St Peter’s to the quarter-finals despite losing 83-73 on Day 3. Three teams finished with a 3-2 record but it was Hutt that advanced on count back.
Pool B: Hamilton GHS 4-1, Auckland Grammar 4-1, Middleton Grange 3-2, Massey 2-3, Christchurch Girls HS 1-4, Ashburton Coll 1-4
Auckland Grammar maintained its position at the top of the pool with a solid 79-47 victory against Auckland rivals Massey but came unstuck in the late game going down 65-62 to Hamilton Girls.
The win sets up a quarter-final encounter with Melville for Hamilton while Auckland will have to face local rivals Mt Albert.
Pool C: St Mary’s Coll 5-0, Westlake Girls HS 3-2, Rotorua Girls HS 3-2, Rangi Ruru 3-2, Sacred Heart New Plymouth 1-4, Carmel Coll 0-5
As forecast yesterday the Westlake v Rotorua game proved to be a cracker. Westlake needed to win by 15+ to edge Rotorua and Rangi Ruru out of a quarter final appearance. The Zone 1 runners-up did just that building on a 20-6 start to win 66-50.
St Mary’s were untroubled beating Sacred Heart 107-59 and Westlake 84-61 to move serenely into the play-offs.
Pool D: Mt Albert GS 5-0, Melville HS 4-1, Hastings Girls HS 2-3, St Andrew’s Coll 2-3, New Plymouth Girls HS 1-4, Rangitoto College 1-4
Mt Albert accounted for Hastings 91-52 and Melville beat New Plymouth 79-55 to set up a showdown to decide the top two places in the pool.
It was a tight encounter but Mt Albert maintained its perfect record with a 68-57 victory.
Quarter-Final Draw
St Peter’s v Westlake
Mt Albert v Auckland Grammar
St Mary’s v Hutt Valley
Hamilton Girls v Melville
A Championship – Boys
The A Boys Final will see Canterbury representatives Hillmorton High take on Stratford.
In the televised semi-final Nga Taiatea Wharekura took on Hillmorton and trailed 35-29 at half-time, 59-42 at the three-quarter mark before eventually falling 74-62.
In the other game Stratford, a losing semi-finalist last year, was too good for Te Aroha winning 82-63.
A Championship – Girls
The A Girls Final will feature local side Manukura and defending champions Opunake High.
Opunake took care of business in the first semi beating Te Kura Kokiri with Manukura overturning Te Aroha 59-54 in the later game.
LACEY LOWDOWN 