The 2022 Auckland Secondary Schools Senior A 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 – all games tip-off at 7.30pm on May 6
Avondale College v Mount Roskill at Avondale
Mount Roskill are in a rebuilding phase this year with just one Year 13 player in the squad. “Senior A is looking very strong this year so it will be a real challenge for us,” said Roskill coach Martin Windsor who will look to captain Ngawaka Rakete to set the defensive tone for his team.
Avondale finished just outside the top four last season – a play-off berth will be a goal for 2022.
Dilworth School v St Peter’s College at Dilworth
Newly promoted Dilworth entertain St Peter’s in the Epsom derby. Coach Josiah Maama will be looking to captain Owen Pattison to orchestrate proceedings with Ikahui Mahe, Damon Kitchen and Ivan Kerr hopefully tuned in for success.
St Peter’s, still smarting from their Prems relegation, will be looking for skipper Scott Errey to lead the charge to be championship contenders. Andrei Manio, Dorian Sula and New Zealand U15 trialist Gus Dallow will be major contributors also.
Northcote College v Aorere College at Northcote
Northcote College, with Aik Ho at the helm, will look to the scoring potential of Aaron Sievert. With Dontaye Sowman-Faaee and Tom Bates to lock down the middle look out for young guard Shunta Shinzaki to also make an impact.
Aorere will be tough opponents, the visitors looking for Moroni Tauhara and the Gordon brothers Franklyne and Christopher to provide early season impetus.
Macleans College v Manurewa College at Macleans
The other new boys on the block Manurewa, still fizzing from their promotion play-off win against Massey, will likely start with William Passi, Alex Hughes, Ryan Ancha, Brian Tapu and Richard Campbell.
Macleans new coach Keith Langley inherits a very young squad. Initial success may well be dependent on the form of seniors Levi Smyth and Dale Babaran.
SENIOR A GIRLS – all games tip-off at 5.00pm on May 6
Avondale College v Mount Roskill at Avondale
Sisters Nellie and Bree Ioane will be two of the more accomplished members of a young Mt Roskill outfit.
Avondale finished fifth last year and would like to move at least one step up the standings this season.
Northcote College v Massey High at Northcote
Lizzie May and Nikki Gear will lead the Northcote challenge for another top four finish.. Lily Morgan has joined ‘Cote from Takapuna Grammar.
Massey Head Coach Tim Ryan will lean heavily on the scoring prowess of the Waikiki sisters Tahlya and Kortni along with Allyah Leusogi-Ape. Look out also for young Cyntalia Schuster.
One Tree Hill v Manurewa College at Macleans College
Savannah Cook has made an immediate transition from player to coach in order to guide 2012 regular season champions One Tree Hill. Angelica Vahai, Syriah Muipu and forward Talei Bogidua will serve her well.
Promoted side Manurewa will be aiming to make an impact in the early season.
Takapuna Grammar v Auckland Girls Grammar at Dilworth
Forward Qaizden Stephano will anchor the Takapuna defence with Amy Mckenzie providing front court stability.
Bailey Flavell has returned to the North Shore after her family’s three-year spell in Melbourne. Her presence is a boost for Takapuna’s back court options.
AGGS will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2021 campaign.
The 2022 Auckland Secondary Schools Senior A 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 – all games tip-off at 7.30pm on May 6
Avondale College v Mount Roskill at Avondale
Mount Roskill are in a rebuilding phase this year with just one Year 13 player in the squad. “Senior A is looking very strong this year so it will be a real challenge for us,” said Roskill coach Martin Windsor who will look to captain Ngawaka Rakete to set the defensive tone for his team.
Avondale finished just outside the top four last season – a play-off berth will be a goal for 2022.
Dilworth School v St Peter’s College at Dilworth
Newly promoted Dilworth entertain St Peter’s in the Epsom derby. Coach Josiah Maama will be looking to captain Owen Pattison to orchestrate proceedings with Ikahui Mahe, Damon Kitchen and Ivan Kerr hopefully tuned in for success.
St Peter’s, still smarting from their Prems relegation, will be looking for skipper Scott Errey to lead the charge to be championship contenders. Andrei Manio, Dorian Sula and New Zealand U15 trialist Gus Dallow will be major contributors also.
Northcote College v Aorere College at Northcote
Northcote College, with Aik Ho at the helm, will look to the scoring potential of Aaron Sievert. With Dontaye Sowman-Faaee and Tom Bates to lock down the middle look out for young guard Shunta Shinzaki to also make an impact.
Aorere will be tough opponents, the visitors looking for Moroni Tauhara and the Gordon brothers Franklyne and Christopher to provide early season impetus.
Macleans College v Manurewa College at Macleans
The other new boys on the block Manurewa, still fizzing from their promotion play-off win against Massey, will likely start with William Passi, Alex Hughes, Ryan Ancha, Brian Tapu and Richard Campbell.
Macleans new coach Keith Langley inherits a very young squad. Initial success may well be dependent on the form of seniors Levi Smyth and Dale Babaran.
SENIOR A GIRLS – all games tip-off at 5.00pm on May 6
Avondale College v Mount Roskill at Avondale
Sisters Nellie and Bree Ioane will be two of the more accomplished members of a young Mt Roskill outfit.
Avondale finished fifth last year and would like to move at least one step up the standings this season.
Northcote College v Massey High at Northcote
Lizzie May and Nikki Gear will lead the Northcote challenge for another top four finish.. Lily Morgan has joined ‘Cote from Takapuna Grammar.
Massey Head Coach Tim Ryan will lean heavily on the scoring prowess of the Waikiki sisters Tahlya and Kortni along with Allyah Leusogi-Ape. Look out also for young Cyntalia Schuster.
One Tree Hill v Manurewa College at Macleans College
Savannah Cook has made an immediate transition from player to coach in order to guide 2012 regular season champions One Tree Hill. Angelica Vahai, Syriah Muipu and forward Talei Bogidua will serve her well.
Promoted side Manurewa will be aiming to make an impact in the early season.
Takapuna Grammar v Auckland Girls Grammar at Dilworth
Forward Qaizden Stephano will anchor the Takapuna defence with Amy Mckenzie providing front court stability.
Bailey Flavell has returned to the North Shore after her family’s three-year spell in Melbourne. Her presence is a boost for Takapuna’s back court options.
AGGS will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2021 campaign. Look to Fuschia Traill, Zara Leavasa-Avauli plus Ryn and Grady Nikoia to lead the Grammar revival.
LACEY LOWDOWN 