The 2022 High School Premier Grade season begins on Friday May 7th. Below we preview the opening round match-ups, of both the Girls and Boy’s competition, and also include a few names that may be influential over the coming months.
BOYS PREMS – all games tip-off at 7.30pm.
Auckland Grammar v Liston College at Auckland Grammar.
Two former Tall Blacks BJ Anthony and Lindsay Tait go head to head in the coaching boxes in this one.
Liston College remained in the Premier Grade by the skin of their teeth, winning a promotion/relegation contest against Mount Roskill Grammar 77-76 last month. Anthony will be looking for productivity from Dhon Lao, Landon Smith, Rasheed Tahiru, and the man with the coolest name in Premier basketball, Marvellous Michael.
AGS will be led by Josh Mugglestone, Cody Brown and New Zealand U17 national team members Will Shortt and Kalid Petzer.
Rangitoto College v Mt Albert Grammar at Rangitoto.
The Rangitoto front court of Jacob Fotu and Tautoko Wynyard will be handful for all teams and with Zeke Priest adding scoring punch expect the ‘Boys from the Bays’ to be top four material.
Under coach Daryl Cartwright MAGS are always a well organised, team-first outfit. The Year 13 core of Victor Keil, Will Leger, Dante Matakatea and Denvor Elia will no doubt continue this trait.
Rosmini College v Sacred Heart College at Rosmini.
New boys on the block Sacred Heart College have a tough opening assignment at Rosmini.
Josh Stewart scored 33 points for Sacred Heart in the promotion play-off against St Peter’s. He and Matt Fautuaalii will need to fire if SHC are to cause an opening round upset.
Rosmini return a strong Year 13 core that includes Kane Murphy, Zion Anderson, Charlie Dalton and Tom Beattie.
Saint Kentigern College v Westlake Boys High at St Kentigern.
The reigning National Champions Saint Kentigern College (yes I know we haven’t had Nationals for two years but St Kent’s were the last winners in 2019) take on Westlake.
Wing George Turner was recently named to the New Zealand team to compete at the FIBA U16 Asia Cup in June in Doha. With Donte Russo-Nance a major piece for Auckland Tuatara in the Sal’s NBL St Kent’s coach Aaron Young could find his resources stretched if these two key players are missing for any length of time.
Merrick Rillstone and Frankie Groves could be called on to take additional responsibilities.
Westlake return forward Hamza Zahran, guard Rocco Chang and Daniel Ottenhoff to lead their bid for success. New Zealand U15 trialist Troy Wentworth will also be eager to make his mark.
GIRLS PREMS – all games tip-off at 5pm.
Carmel College v Baradene College at Rosmini College
Carmel College have a difficult first up assignment against the talented Baradene outfit.
Jemma Cammell, Imogen O’Rourke, Lily Farman and Zaraha Tibbotts were all prominent when Carmel won the crucial promotion/relegation tie against One Tree Hill College. We can expect the same against Baradene.
With only two players lost from last season Baradene will be very much in the hunt for honours in 2022. With Denya Topia running the point and Ritorya Tamilo patrolling the paint they will be a tough proposition for all-comers.
Epsom Girls Grammar v St Mary’s College at Auckland Grammar School
Both teams were beaten semi-finalists in 2021 and will be keen to get their quest for another top four finish off to a positive start.
St Mary’s will look to Kodee Williams-Sefo and Alex Moore to lead that pursuit.
Epsom relied heavily on Sarah Joy Aruwa and Flo Dallow for the bulk of their points last year. With the two having graduated EGGS will need Te Aroha Kukutai-Wairau, Maya Fowler and Draun Forbes to fill the void.
Rangitoto College v Mt Albert Grammar at Rangitoto
Rangitoto College return four of last year’s starters with Tamsin McAsey and sharp shooter Aroha Riley their likely go-to players.
MAGS will look to leadership from Waimanu Clarken and Danae Tait. April Liu has arrived from AGGS but in accordance with College Sport rules will sit out the first half of the regular season.
Saint Kentigern College v Westlake Girls High School at Saint Kentigern
Back in Premier Grade Saint Kentigern have a tough assignment against perennial contenders Westlake. Saint Kent’s will be looking to co-captains Sharmaine Tapling and Maia Mealamu, along with and Nerisa Vavau, for strong performances.
New Zealand U15 trialist Ashleigh Tuumaialu will likely be given more responsibility also.
Another NZ U15 trialist Lily Fotu will be in the Westlake ranks for whom Izzy Pugh and Mackenzie Chatfield are sure fire starters. Lake will also anticipate good production from up-and-comers Amy-Lee Pateman, recently named to the New Zealand U17 team, and Rebecca Moors.
The 2022 High School Premier Grade season begins on Friday May 7th. Below we preview the opening round match-ups, of both the Girls and Boy’s competition, and include a few names that may be influential over the coming months.
BOYS PREMS – all games tip-off at 7.30pm.
Auckland Grammar v Liston College at Auckland Grammar.
Two former Tall Blacks BJ Anthony and Lindsay Tait go head to head in the coaching boxes in this one.
Liston College remained in the Premier Grade by the skin of their teeth, winning a promotion/relegation contest against Mount Roskill Grammar 77-76 last month. Anthony will be looking for productivity from Dhon Lao, Landon Smith, Rasheed Tahiru, and the man with the coolest name in Premier basketball, Marvellous Michael.
AGS will be led by Josh Mugglestone, Cody Brown and New Zealand U17 national team members Will Shortt and Kalid Petzer.
Rangitoto College v Mt Albert Grammar at Rangitoto.
The Rangitoto front court of Jacob Fotu and Tautoko Wynyard will be handful for all teams and with Zeke Priest adding scoring punch expect the ‘Boys from the Bays’ to be top four material.
Under coach Daryl Cartwright MAGS are always a well organised, team-first outfit. The Year 13 core of Victor Keil, Will Leger, Dante Matakatea and Denvor Elia will no doubt continue this trait.
Rosmini College v Sacred Heart College at Rosmini.
New boys on the block Sacred Heart College have a tough opening assignment at Rosmini.
Josh Stewart scored 33 points for Sacred Heart in the promotion play-off against St Peter’s. He and Matt Fautuaalii will need to fire if SHC are to cause an opening round upset.
Rosmini return a strong Year 13 core that includes Kane Murphy, Zion Anderson, Charlie Dalton and Tom Beattie.
Saint Kentigern College v Westlake Boys High at St Kentigern.
The reigning National Champions Saint Kentigern College (yes I know we haven’t had Nationals for two years but St Kent’s were the last winners in 2019) take on Westlake.
Wing George Turner was recently named to the New Zealand team to compete at the FIBA U16 Asia Cup in June in Doha. With Donte Russo-Nance a major piece for Auckland Tuatara in the Sal’s NBL St Kent’s coach Aaron Young could find his resources stretched if these two key players are missing for any length of time.
Merrick Rillstone and Frankie Groves could be called on to take additional responsibilities.
Westlake return forward Hamza Zahran, guard Rocco Chang and Daniel Ottenhoff to lead their bid for success. New Zealand U15 trialist Troy Wentworth will also be eager to make his mark.
GIRLS PREMS – all games tip-off at 5pm.
Carmel College v Baradene College at Rosmini College
Carmel College have a difficult first up assignment against the talented Baradene outfit.
Jemma Cammell, Imogen O’Rourke, Lily Farman and Zaraha Tibbotts were all prominent when Carmel won the crucial promotion/relegation tie against One Tree Hill College. We can expect the same against Baradene.
With only two players lost from last season Baradene will be very much in the hunt for honours in 2022. With Denya Topia running the point and Ritorya Tamilo patrolling the paint they will be a tough proposition for all-comers.
Epsom Girls Grammar v St Mary’s College at Auckland Grammar School
Both teams were beaten semi-finalists in 2021 and will be keen to get their quest for another top four finish off to a positive start.
St Mary’s will look to Kodee Williams-Sefo and Alex Moore to lead that pursuit.
Epsom relied heavily on Sarah Joy Aruwa and Flo Dallow for the bulk of their points last year. With the two having graduated EGGS will need Te Aroha Kukutai-Wairau, Maya Fowler and Draun Forbes to fill the void.
Rangitoto College v Mt Albert Grammar at Rangitoto
Rangitoto College return four of last year’s starters with Tamsin McAsey and sharp shooter Aroha Riley their likely go-to players.
MAGS will look to leadership from Waimanu Clarken and Danae Tait. April Liu has arrived from AGGS but in accordance with College Sport rules will sit out the first half of the regular season.
Saint Kentigern College v Westlake Girls High School at Saint Kentigern
Back in Premier Grade Saint Kentigern have a tough assignment against perennial contenders Westlake. Saint Kent’s will be looking to co-captains Sharmaine Tapling and Maia Mealamu, along with and Nerisa Vavau, for strong performances.
New Zealand U15 trialist Ashleigh Tuumaialu will likely be given more responsibility also.
Another NZ U15 trialist Lily Fotu will be in the Westlake ranks for whom Izzy Pugh and Mackenzie Chatfield are sure fire starters. Lake will also anticipate good production from up-and-comers Amy-Lee Pateman, recently named to the New Zealand U17 team, and Rebecca Moors.
LACEY LOWDOWN 