In possibly the first ever Auckland Secondary Schools Premier game played on a Saturday, St Kentigern College eventually proved too good for Westlake Boys High School winning 107-82 at Trusts Arena.
The two teams split 54 points in the opening quarter with the scoring almost as high, and even, in the second frame – Westlake trailing by a single point (50-49) at half-time.
The opposing coaches, Westlake’s Tony Webster and St Kentigern’s Aaron Young, will feature in NBL Showdown on Sunday with the pair assistant coaches for Franklin Bulls and Auckland Huskies respectively.
In the Saturday showdown it was Young who found the winning formula in the third quarter with his team dominating Westlake in the period to lead 80-65 at three-quarter time. With Levick Kerr (26 points) a handful inside and a plethora of threats on the perimeter Young’s charges moved through the offensive gears scoring 30 points in the period.
Kazlo Evans was at the heart of the good things happening for St Kent’s, the shooting guard knocking down six three’s on his way to a game high 29 points.
Westlake were unable to make any impression on St Kent’s advantage in the fourth quarter, the 2019 national champions easing to a comfortable victory. Josh Kooiman, Liam Spencer, Antonio Leutich and Jett Thompson all made double digit contributions for Westlake but the Swans could do little to quell St Kent’s second half charge.
Much interest surrounded the Premier debut of St Kentigern’s Dontea Russo. The promising Year 11 guard made an encouraging start to his career for the ‘Blue and Whites’ contributing 20 points and showing commendable poise.
With Russo, Evans, Alex McNaught, Martin Gan and Kaea Rangiehaeata combining to make 14 threes in the game St Kentigern’s have served notice that they are likely to be the team to beat in 2020.
St Kentigern 107 – Evans 29, Kerr 26, Russo 20, Gan 13, McNaught 8
Westlake 82 – Thompson 21, Kooiman 18, Spencer 13, Leutich 11, Martin 7
LACEY LOWDOWN 