Takapuna Grammar were denied an unbeaten Senior A season by Massey High, the hosts winning the contest 88-79 in overtime. In a high scoring contest opposing guards Allyah Leusogi-Ape and Bailey Flavell each posted 36 points.
Massey led 19-17 at quarter time before moving up a gear in the second to stretch the advantage to 38-30. Leusogi-Ape nailed 10 points in the second period – Amy McKenzie 8 points for Takapuna.
Takapuna appeared headed for victory in the third as they moved ahead 59-53 only to be pegged back in the final quarter – Leusogi-Ape making 16 points in the period – the two teams level, 74-all at the end of regulation.
A big three from Kortni Waikiki (28 points) set Massey on their way in the extra 5 minutes. Flavell, named recently to the New Zealand U15 team, and Qaizden Stephano made baskets for Takapuna but Massey closed out the confidence boosting win – Cyntalia Schuster adding to further makes from Leusogi-Ape and Kortni Waikiki down the stretch.
Takapuna will look to rebound in their semi-final tie on Friday.
Massey 88 – Allyah Leusogi-Ape 36, Kortni Waikiki 28, Zhoey Tilby-Woods 9, Cyntalia Schuster 6, Tahlya Waikiki 6
Takapuna 79 – Bailey Flavell 35, Amy McKenzie 20, Manaia Watson 14, Qaizden Stephano 8
Shirley Tuilimu and Sela Uluheua scored 18 points apiece as Manurewa High School warmed up for semi-final action with a 67-50 away win.
Luiza Teariki and Tatyana Ioelu landed threes for Auckland Grammar in the opening quarter but it was Manurewa making the better progress – up 20-14.
An even second period followed, the Manurewa lead being 34-26 at half-time.
The third quarter was won decisively by Manurewa 25-8. Lavinia Liufau, Tuilimu and Sela Uluheua did most the damage as the visitors eased to a win ahead of that semi-final on Friday.
AGGS 50 – Faith Hurt 12, Luiza Teariki 10, Aja Tarawa 10, Tatyana Ioelu 7, Ryn Nikoia 6
Manurewa 67 – Shirley Tuilimu 18, Sela Uluheua 18, Lavinia Liufau 10, Zhendy Li 6
Paced by a game high 24 points from Nellie Ioane Mount Roskill Grammar recorded a meritorious 47-43 home win against One Tree Hill College.
Ioane and Billee Koonwaiyou initiated a fine start for Roskill as they charged to a 16-6 quarter lead.
Momentum changed in the middle stages as Milla Eckford and Melaia Tuisuva led the One Tree Hill revival. OTH trailed 24-20 at half-time before hitting the front at 31-30.
However it was Roskill that would have the better of the final ten minutes – Ioane scored 11 points in the fourth and with Adra Kaufusi chipping in with a pair of crucial scores it was the hosts that prevailed in a nail biter.
Mt Roskill 47 – Nellie Ioane 24, Billee Koonwaiyou 11, Adra Kaufusi 6
OTH 43 – Milla Eckford 11, Melaia Tuisuva 10, Harriate Heta 7, Sophia Govind 6
Avondale College defaulted the fixture against Northcote College.
Standings:
13-1 Takapuna
11-3 Northcote
10-4 Massey
9-4 Manurewa
5-9 AGGS
4-10 One Tree Hill
3-10 Mt Roskill
0-13 Avondale
*The outcome of the unplayed game between Manurewa and Avondale has not been published.
LACEY LOWDOWN 