Report by James Lissaman
A little late but here is the wrap on the Canterbury Schools Senior basketball competition that began last week featuring a full round of McDonald’s Thomson Trophy (Boys) and Whelan Competitions (Girls).
On the girls’ side, Rangi Ruru struggled with Charlotte Whittaker (11/16 from the field) who led all scorers with 26 points, while also getting points from Te Rina Cooper and Billie Watson (13 points each). Rangi Ruru had a lot more of a modern style of game as they attempted 16 three points shots, to zero for St Andrew’s. Rangi Ruru’s lack of height this year proved their undoing, despite Connie Taylor (18), Sophia Harrison (11) and Bailey Chamberlain (10) all reaching double figures in a 72-61 win for St. Andrew’s
On the boys side, an exciting game eventuated between St Andrew’s College and Christchurch Boys’ High School, with both teams launching shots from the perimeter, and probing inside whenever the opportunity presented itself. It was St. Andrew’s who hit a key go ahead three in the dying seconds to walk out with a 77-76 win, despite only hitting 25% of their three point shots (to CBHS’s much more impressive 33%).
Kaiapoi showed why they were picked highly in the Whelan pre-season poll, easily taking care of the Middleton Grange Gators 75-58. Sinead McConchie (23) and Helen Matthews (22) showing their class, while newcomer to the school Alida Pohatu-Barnes added 10. Sofia Kennedy and Katie Jo van den Bogaert both had 14 for the Gators.
The Shirley Boys’ Spartans and Gators treated the large crowd to a superb display of shot-making, with Jared Burnett (37) exploiting the midrange gaps in Shirley’s defence. Gator Ben Carlile-Smith also had 19 points. For Shirley it was their twin towers of Joel Jeffrey (25) and Josh Thomson (22) who were too classy around the basket for the smaller Gators defenders.
Rangiora Girls’ retained the Phil Burns Cup after a comprehensive 85-49 win over Cashmere, while the Cashmere boys are holding on to the Dowson Cup, after their 90-70 win over Rangiora.
Week One Results
Whelan Division II
Papanui 60-34 Te Pā o Rākaihautū
Avonside 94-40 Burnside
St. Margaret’s 67-47 Villa Maria
Lincoln 73-59 Ellesmere
Whelan Division I
Kaiapoi 75-58 Middleton Grange
Christchurch Girls’ 78-55 Ashburton
Rangiora 85-49 Cashmere
St. Andrew’s 72-61 Rangi Ruru
Thomson Division II
St. Thomas 127-48 Lincoln
Papanui 102-69 Hornby
Ellesmere 51-38 Kaiapoi
Cathedral 85-65 Linwood
Riccarton 88-51 Rangiora New Life
Thomson Division I
Cashmere Boys Basketball 90-70 Rangiora
St. Andrew’s 77-76 Christchurch Boys’
Shirley Boys’ 76-73 Middleton Grange
Christ’s College 74-56 Burnside
LACEY LOWDOWN 