Saint Kentigern College continued their push towards a Boy’s Premier Grade top-4 finish with a 98-81 home win against Sacred Heart College on Wednesday night.
St Kent’s were paced by wing Merrick Rillstone who continued his good scoring form with 33 points.
Josh Tengblad scored 9 opening quarter points for Sacred Heart but it was St Kent’s that held sway at the first break with a 22-15 lead.
Josh Stewart and Dalton Dennis knocked down triples for the visitors but that was answered by a brace from Rillstone as St Kent’s moved to a 44-30 half-time advantage.
Sacred Heart continued to add points after the interval but not at the same rate as the hosts. Hunter Te Ratna was in fine scoring touch and he nailed two of his six threes in the third – with Rillstone and Cooper Lepou also successful from distance St Kent’s eased ahead 74-49 by the three-quarter buzzer.
Heart demonstrated their spirit by winning the final frame 32-24 with Stewart scoring 11 of their points on his way to a team high 23.
Dontae Russo-Nance, named to the New Zealand U18 team earlier in the week, was put on light duties by coach Aaron Young but still contributed 12 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists.
St Kentigern 98 – Rillstone 33, Te Ratana 23 (6/8 3-pointers), Lepou 18, Russo-Nance 12/12rebs
Sacred Heart 81 – Stewart 23, Tengblad 16, Dennis 15, Preston Tuaputa 8, Jerome Jakeman 7
Current Standings:
8-1 Rosmini
6-2 AGS
6-3 Westlake
5-4 MAGS
4-4 Rangitoto
5-5 St Kentigern
1-9 Sacred Heart
0-9 Liston
LACEY LOWDOWN 