Westlake Girls High bounced back from their defeat against Epsom Girls Grammar with a resounding 91-61 win against Takapuna Grammar School on Monday, the victory taking Westlake back to the top of the Prems table with one regular season game remaining.
Amy McKenzie scored 7 first quarter points but Westlake made a strong start to lead 25-15 on the back of 17 combined points from Amy Pateman and Rebecca Moors.
A three from Manaia Watson and ten points from Bailey Flavell progressed the Taka score but Moors and Pateman were bossing proceedings as the Westlake lead stretched to 48-31 by half-time.
Following a Katie Moors basket Takapuna replied with an 11-3 run to reduce the deficit to 11 points. That was as close as it got as Westlake stretched the advantage to 70-51 at the three-quarter mark before dominating the final spell to run out comfortable winners.
Takapuna 61 – Flavell 33, McKenzie 12, Watson 5
Westlake 91 – Pateman 29, R Moors 24/12rebs, Stowers 16, K Moors 16, Elin Vincent 5, Lily Fotu 3/7assists
Epsom Girls Grammar, four days after completing the double over Westlake Girls came back to earth with a thud – defeated 85-53 by Mt Albert Grammar School.
Epsom were caught on the hop as they gave up 26 first quarter points to trail by 14 at the first break – 8 points for Nia Roberts in the period.
Nine points from Maya Fowler helped Epsom in the second period although Wai Clarken scored 8 points as MAGS carried a 41-26 lead into the main break.
The third stanza was another even affair – Draun Forbes and Fowler doing good work for Epsom – MAGS 58-40 ahead.
Emina Tiatia and Sienna-Rose Tawera produced most of the scoring in the final period as MAGS eased to the win, a victory that means both teams have an identical 10-3 record with one game to play.
Epsom 53 – Forbes 20, Fowler 17, Ivy Tino 6
MAGS 85 – Clarken 21, Tiatia 10, Tawera 8, Roberts 8, Peyton Uri 8, Jorjia Fiu 8, Phoenix Kaipo 7
Northcote College defeated Baradene College 71-66 with the the result meaning the two teams now having identical 4-9 records. Significantly Northcote hold the head-to-head advantage, therefore a win against St Mary’s on Friday will see them avoid the promotion/relegation play-off game in 2024.
For their part Baradene will need to beat league leaders Westlake and hope for an upset at Northcote.
It was a nervous opening quarter from both teams, one edged 9-7 by the hosts. Northcote also had slightly better of the proceedings in the second period. Nikki Gear and DJ Hannah shared 14 points for Northcote with Ritorya Tamilo, headed for a career high 41 points, making 16 in the spell as Baradene trailed 32-27 at the interval.
Baradene closed the gap by a single point in the third (47-43) meaning a nervy fourth quarter ensued.
A triple from skipper Deyna Topia and growing numbers from Tamilo threatened the Northcote lead but the hosts held their nerve down the stretch – Hannah and Lizzy May making crucial free-throws in the closing minutes.
Northcote 71 – N Gear 22, Hannah 18, Lily Morgan 10, May 9, Lisa Gear 6, Emma Lavemaau 6
Baradene 66 – Tamilo 41, Topia 6, Odile Dolon 6
In the other game St Kentigern College defeated St Mary’s College 67-35*
*The result is correct but the score is awaiting confirmation.
The final round on Friday will determine the order of finish for the top five places.
Standings
11-2 Westlake
10-3 Epsom, MAGS
6-7 Takapuna, St Kent’s
4-9 Baradene, Northcote
1-11 St Mary’s
LACEY LOWDOWN 