The 2022 Auckland Secondary Schools Girl’s Senior A Grade competition began last Friday.
The game of the round was played at Dilworth where promoted side Takapuna Grammar School edged Auckland Girls Grammar by the closest of margins, 52-51.
It was AGGS that made the better start as Zara Leavasa-Avauli’s early points helped forge a 15-7 lead.
The tables were turned in the second, a late three in the spell by Amy McKenzie on her way to a game high 19 points, helped Takapuna to a 26-23 lead at the interval.
AGGS regained the initiative after the break, Leavasa-Avauli scored three straight baskets to give them a narrow 39-38 lead at the three-quarter mark.
In a gripping finish, Qaizden Stephano and Maania Watson made key plays for Takapuna before both fouled out. Faith Hurt and Grady Nikoia drew AGGS into a match winning situation but it was Mariah Parker making the deciding play.
Having earlier scored what turned out to be the game winning basket she secured the all-important defensive rebound off an AGGS missed free-throw to seal the win.
Takapuna Grammar 52 – McKenzie 19, Stephano 16, Watson 8, Parker 5
Auckland Girls Grammar 51 – Leavasa-Avauli 15, F Hurt 12, Grady Nikoia 9
The other promoted side Manurewa College also notched a win with a 66-50 defeat of One Tree Hill College.
The two dominant figures in the game were Manurewa’s Sela Uluheua who scored 30 points and One Tree Hill’s Angelica Vahai who almost matched that with 26 points.
OTH led at quarter time by a point (17-16) but Uluheua amassed 16 points in the second to give Manurewa a 36-30 lead.
The third period was pivotal – Mariona Monga knocked down a three and Lavinia Liufau chipped in with a bucket but more decisively OTH were restricted to five points – the Manurewa lead 49-35 with ten minutes to play.
Vahai, Meadow Thompson, and Milla Eckford attempted some salvage work but the damage was done – Manurewa comfortable victors.
One Tree Hill 50 – Vahai 26, Thompson 10, Harriate Heteg 6
Manurewa College 66 – Uluheua 30, Monga 11, Shirly Tuilimu 10, Bella Manu-Moore 6
Mt Roskill Grammar commanded the game and the scoreline from the start. The bulk of the damage done by halftime with MRG up 40-18.
Bree Ioane scoring 14 of her 17 points in the first half. Sister Nelly capped a good team display scoring 19 of her 29 in the second half.
For Avondale Maya Loomes scored a game high 21 points with Shiloh Caffery posting a valuable 13 points.
Avondale College 43 – Maya Loomes 21, Shiloh Caffery 13
Mount Roskill 76 – Nelly Ioane 29, Bree Ioane 17
Northcote College v Massey High at Northcote
Unfortunately, this game wasn’t played as transport difficulties meant Massey High were unable to fulfil the fixture
LACEY LOWDOWN 