June 20, 2023
In arguably the most exciting and craziest finish of the Auckland Secondary Schools Boy’s Premier season Westlake Boys High scored a last gasp 75-74 win against North Shore rivals Rangitoto College.
With a touch over four minutes to play a Michael Ropotini And-1 play had taken Rangitoto to a 72-63 lead and the very real prospect of avenging their opening round loss to the same opponents.
Despite a corner three from Troy Wentworth and an inside bucket from Noah Rasmussen, Ropotini’s free throws meant the Rangi lead was 73-68 with less than 90 seconds to play.
Westlake centre Hadi Alshami scored inside before Rasmussen’s free-throws were cancelled out by foul line makes from Ropotini and Arnold Nam – Rangi ahead 74-72.
Malachi Book then made one of two free-throws to precede 18 seconds of chaos.
From consecutive inbounds plays Rangi turned the ball over – Westlake did the same – then Rangi again lost possession courtesy of a held ball situation.
On the final possession of the contest the ball ended up in the hands of Westlake skipper Book. He made a left handed layup down main street as time expired, to edge his team to a one-point win.
Book ended up being mobbed by a jubilant home team while watching supporters were in a state of excitement or disbelief depending on the team they were following.
Earlier, the contest between the opposing centres Joel Brown (19 points) and Alshami (21 points) was one that caught the eye.
Westlake got out to an early 24-13 lead before being pegged back in the middle stages as they were outscored 19-14 and 26-14 in quarters two and three.
A 56-52 three-quarter time lead favoured Rangi as did that 72-63 advantage but ultimately counted for little amidst that chaotic finish.
Westlake 75 – Alshami 21, Wentworth 18, Gabriel Ames 11, Rasmussen 10, Book 7
Rangitoto 74 – Ropotini 24, Brown 19, Jimmy Kim 11, Max Mudford 9
In the only game featuring two top four teams St Kentigern College earned a valuable 78-67 victory at Rosmini College.
St Kent’s led by one point at half-time (33-32) and by four at the three-quarter mark (54-50) to set up the prospect of an exciting finale.
Despite baskets from Jameer Reed and Chris Wyllie that expectation quickly evaporated. From trailing 59-54 Rosmini gave up the next 11 points as George Turner, Merrick Rillstone and Charlie Hughes combined to take the game away from the hosts.
Broughton Weenink took the St Kent’s lead out to a damaging 18-points before a late rally put a slightly better look to the scoreline from a Rosmini perspective.
Early on six points from Noah Johns had the home support in good voice although the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for the introduction of debutant Harlan Roudon – his score late in the first gave Rosmini a 20-12 lead.
The second spell favoured the visitors – seven points from Rillstone taking them ahead at half-time.
Opposing number eight’s prospered in the third – Reed for Rosmini and Rillstone for St Kent’s. Another debutant, Noah Heke, made a pair of freebies for St Kent’s as we were left wondering if that four point buffer at three-quarter time would be enough.
Eight points from Turner and 10 from Rillstone provided the answer – an emphatic yes.
Rosmini 67 – Reed 21, Johns 12, Roudon 10, C Wyllie 10, Josh Batty 8
St Kent’s 78 – Rillstone 31, Turner 18, Hunter Te Ratana 9, Frankie Groves 5, Luke Franish 5
Mt Albert Grammar School continued their unbeaten season with a 100-75 win at Sacred Heart College. Taking advantage of Heart’s depleted front court Dante Matakatea scored a season high 37 points.
Undaunted facing the table toppers Heart made the better start forging a 22-19 lead – 9 points to Matt Fautuaalii-Taia.
The second period told a different tale. Tyler Wilson-Voyce joined Matt Fautuaalii-Taia in double figures but MAGS demonstrated their superiority running up 32 points as Matakatea moved to 18 points at the half with his team 51-38 ahead.
More MAGS dominance ensued in the third as Romani Keith-Peraua and Kade Cartwright helped push the visitors out to a commanding 81-51 advantage at three-quarter time.
Heart improved in the fourth, with Cameron Stewart and Jerome Jakeman to the fore, but it was a MAGS debutant who had the final say.
Lucas Cartwright has spent over a decade watching on from the sideline at MAGS games – finally getting the opportunity to make his Prems debut he got on the scoresheet in the closing moments – you imagine he’ll score a few more in the coming seasons.
Sacred Heart 75 – Fautuaalii-Taia 20, Wilson-Voyce 13, Sam Snowdon 12, Jakeman 10, Jamie Vile 8
MAGS 100 – Matakatea 37, Louis Uri 15, Harri Coker-Grey 13, Keith-Peraua 13, K Cartwright 11
In the fourth game of the round visitors Auckland Grammar had the better of the early stages to lead St Peter’s 27-22 at quarter time and 44-35 at the main break – Josh Howes with 20 first half points for AGS.
Gus Dallow, headed to a game high 25 points, had 8 third quarter points and Bailey Smith 5 as St Peter’s had marginally the better of the period. Ryan Hunt and George Milburn kept the score ticking over for AGS – their lead 65-58 with ten minutes to play.
Again St Peter’s kept the AGS defence honest – Dallow nailed a pair of threes – but Milburn and Brigham Hakaraia ensured AGS moved through to win number six.
St Peter’s 77 – Dallow 26, Bryan Curtis 8, Smith 8, Milan Tolich 7
AGS 87 – Howes 20, Hunt 19, Milburn 18, Hakaraia 9, Roman Ma’afu-Moerua 7
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Standings
8-0 MAGS
6-2 Rosmini, AGS
5-3 St Kentigern
4-4 Westlake
2-6 Rangitoto
1-7 Sacred Heart
0-8 St Peter’s
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