Dilworth School defeated Manurewa High School 88-77 in the Auckland Secondary Schools Senior A competition on Thursday night.
Completing the Round 4 fixtures the result represented Dilworth’s first win of the season.
After the scores were tied at 14 points apiece in the back half of the first period Dilworth unleashed four straight threes although Manurewa guard Jarrell Tuhega’s 16 points in the opening spell meant his team were well in contention despite trailing 25-22.
Ezra Eagle scored the first two baskets of the second quarter and when Ikahui Mahe went coast-to-coast Manurewa needed a timeout.
Issachar Pati and Annun Leng provided the necessary response as Manurewa closed within 4 points. However Mikaera Hoeta finished the half with a three-basket flourish as the hosts eased ahead 47-35 at half-time.
The second half began with Nepia Moore knocking down a brace of threes and when he and Eagle further added to their tallies the Dilworth lead was 20-points (59-39).
Gordon Campbell and Leng made a couple of timely scores but the Dilworth lead was a handy 67-48 at three-quarter time.
Leng made his third three of the contest but home scores via Eagle and Kingston Kai’lahi-Aso kept Dilworth in the ascendancy (80-66) with five minutes to play.
The Manurewa resistance could have folded at that point but to their credit they found an extra gear as Tuhega and Richard Campbell – a constant menace on the offensive boards – cut the deficit to ten points (83-73).
Pati and Tuhega made further baskets but with time running out Kai’lahi-Aso was able to put the seal on a deserved Dilworth win in an entertaining encounter.
Both teams will enjoy an eight day break before Dilworth entertain Avondale College and Manurewa visit Kelston Boys High School in Round 5 match-ups.
Dilworth 88 – Eagle 28, Kai’lahi-Aso 17, Moore 12, Hoeta 12, Mahe 12
Manurewa 77 – Tuhega 24, R Campbell 19, Pati 12, Leng 9, G Campbell 6
Standings
4-0 Northcote, Mt Roskill
3-1 Selwyn
2-2 Liston
1-3 Manurewa, Kelston, Dilworth
0-4 Avondale
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