As was the case with the Thomson Trophy, Division Two in the Whelan Competition also featured a three-way tie for first place. After using the FIBA classification procedures, Avonside Lady Eagles finished first, Ellesmere second and Lincoln in third place.
Molly Cockburn led the way for Avonside with 24 points, and needed every one of them to come away with a 70-57 win, as Kenny Perkin’s Villa Maria team was only five points down late in the fourth quarter. Megan Shannon (15) and Bella Digby (14) also scored well for the Lady Eagles, while Casey Robinson (20) and Molly Grafton (13) headlined the Villa Maria effort. These two teams will face off against each other next week as well in a quirk of the draw, with Villa Maria qualifying in sixth place.
Lincoln High was too strong for Te Pā o Rākaihautū, beating them 60-16 to finish third. Four players had exactly ten points each for Lincoln: Mandy Herman, Sophie Withell, Maria Mendoza and Samantha McCrone.
Middleton Grange held all of the Rangiora players under ten points each as they won 64-40, as a 19-2 start essentially decided the game. Sofia Kennedy (21) was well supported by Maia Williamson (12) and Fia Lai Kong (11). This win locks the Gators into fifth place for 2018.
Rangi Ruru had a 66-49 win over Kaiapoi as they built a ten point lead in the second quarter, and never let the visitors get closer than that the rest of the way. Ashlee Strawbridge (19) was key in the win, with Connie Taylor (11) and Bailey Chamberlain (10) chiming in. Helen Mathews (19) and Sinead McConchie (17) scored well for Kaiapoi, but will now be locked into fourth place for semi-final night.
With no Thomson Trophy Division One games, Ashburton and St. Thomas locked up home semi-finals in Division Two, whilst Papanui and Cathedral College will be the two teams travelling for a chance to play in the Grand Final.
Whelan Division One has one more round before their playoffs begin, as does the Thomson Division Two competition. Thomson Division One and Whelan Division Two both have the top six teams involved in Quarter-Finals, with the three winning teams progressing, as well as the highest seeded losing team.
On August 15 the NZ Broadcasting School will be live-streaming two fantastic games from Cowles Stadium (free entry as well). A top four Whelan Matchup between Rangi Ruru and Christchurch Girls’ is scheduled to tip off at 6:30pm, with a boys’ Quarter-final matchup between the Shirley Boys’ High Spartans and Christchurch Boys’ following (scheduled to tip at 8:00pm).
From James Lissaman
Macca’s Week Ten Results
Thomson Division Two:
Linwood 96-86 Riccarton
St. Thomas 91-39 Rangiora New Life
Cathedral 97-48 Hornby
Ashburton 116-56 Lincoln
Papanui 86-79 Kaiapoi
Whelan Division One:
Middleton Grange 64-40 Rangiora
Christchurch Girls’ 66-48 Kaiapoi
Ashburton 86-50 Cashmere
St. Andrew’s 69-57 Rangi Ruru
Rangi Ruru 66-49 Kaiapoi
Whelan Division Two:
Ellesmere 90-38 St. Margaret’s
Lincoln 60-16 Te Pā
Hillmorton 55-49 Papanui (overtime)
Avonside 70-57 Villa Maria
Marian 80-68 Burnside
LACEY LOWDOWN 