LACEY LOWDOWN

A depleted Kelston Boys High School entertained Rosmini College in the final Premier Grade regular season fixture on Monday night.

Taine Wattie scored the first six points of the game with transition baskets (he had ten points in the first quarter) prompting Jeff Fahrensohn the Kelston coach to call an early timeout. His charges scored the next four points and were well in contention at quarter time trailing 14-12.

A Sam Brooking three kept Kelston within a single point and Matangi Prescott’s drive broke a 6-0 Rosmini run who led 28-20 at the mid point of the second.

Even without leading scorer Linus Jakzst (attending Junior Tall Blacks trials) Kelston were finding ways to test the visitors defence with forwards Solomon Faa’poi and Kale Lawson (10 points in the half) proving particularly troublesome. At half-time Rosmini led 35-30.

As in the second quarter Sam Brooking snapped a Rosmini run at the outset of the second half. Each time Rozza looked as if they would break the game open, Kelston would answer.

However in the closing stages of the third quarter Rosmini finally gained the ascendancy they were seeking with inside baskets from Sam Bowden, Peter Jenkins and Will Heather plus back to back Ben Turpin treys. The scoring burst increased the Rozza lead to 71-50 at the three-quarter mark.

The reliable Lawson scored the opening basket of the final quarter his team making a 10-2 run before Mitchell Dance landed from downtown to give his team a 75-61 lead with 7 minutes to play.

Kruz Perrott –Hunt landed a three as Rosmini bossed the closing stages to win their 10^th straight game however Kelston, with just six players on the night, played with great heart and pushed the regular season runners-up for three parts of the game.

Final Score: Kelston 66 – Lawson 20, Brooking 15, Prescott 12, Faa’poi 7, Liam Milne 7 Rosmini 97 – Wattie 30, Perrott-Hunt 13, Heather 12, Jenkins 10, Bowden 8

Boys Premier Grade Final Standings at the end of the regular season. The top four teams will contest the semi-finals on Friday August 19^th.

12-2 Rangitoto College

11-3 Rosmini College

10-4 Westlake Boys HS

8-6 AGS

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7-7 MAGS

5-9 Kelston Boys HS

2-12 Onehunga HS

1-13 Liston College

Emme Shearer (photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins)

The top four teams were already known ahead of the final round of the Girls Premier Grade competition in Auckland on Friday. What was not known was the order they would finish in.

With a comfortable 80-46 victory against Avondale College, Auckland Girls Grammar School claimed the regular season title over Westlake Girls High School.

Both AGGS and Westlake finished with a 12-2 record but Grammar claim top spot on point’s differential. Recently Westlake prevailed 69-65 but earlier in the season AGGS had won 60-43 giving them a +13 advantage.

The Rangitoto College versus Mt Albert Grammar School tie, with MAGS prevailing 75-65, decided third and fourth positions.

Rangitoto opened up an early double digit lead off the back strong play from Tabitha Jenkins and Bella Elgar

MAGS awoke in the second quarter and began to pressure the inexperienced Rangi guards (missing Riana Rangi-Brown and Sophie Bond) but Rangi still led by 5 at the half.

Sharne Pupuke-Robati was a difference maker in the third as the Rangi forwards who enjoyed a free flowing first quarter found it tough against her physicality.

The two sides exchanged baskets in the final quarter and the scores were locked at 57 each with 4 minutes left. Some costly Rangi turnovers in their own backcourt have MAGS the lead for the first time in the game forcing coach Morgan Maskell to call a timeout.

Rangi struggled to score in the dying minutes of the match as MAGS iced the game with free throws in the final minute.

Westlake Girls High School established an early double-digit lead against Orewa College stretching the advantage to 25-4 at quarter time with Jess Moors and Jordyn Maddix nabbing 8 points each.

Despite being without a number of regulars Westlake were able to stretch their lead to 49-13 at half-time – guard Emme Shearer scored 14 points in the second period.

Fuelled by some simple transition baskets Westlake began the third period with an 8-0 run before Holly Kagan-Dower opened Orewa’s second half account.

Ariana Henare scored with a neat left handed hook shot to keep the score ticking over for the visitors who welcomed back coach Tony Webster after a recent expedition to the States.

Mareta Davidson scored 12 straight points for Westlake either side of the three-quarter time recess to stretch the advantage to 73-20.

Orewa battled on gamely but struggled to quell the offensive transition game of the hosts.

Final Score: Westlake 94 – Shearer 21, Davidson 18, Maddix 14, Moors 12, Sianmau Talafou 8 Orewa 24 – Kagan-Dower 9, Megan Hoare 4, Henare 4, Hannah Wentworth 4

Massey High School overcame a 37-30 half-time deficit to eventually overhaul St Kentigern College and win 73-70.

Shauna Povey was the star of the show pacing the Massey effort with 33 points. That effort was almost matched by Summer Jean Motufua who scored 29 points for St Kent’s.

Rose Maeli made an early three for Massey but Vilisi Tavui and Viona Silao scored all the St Kent’s first quarter points as they led 13-12 at quarter time.

Motufua then unleashed a personal scoring blitz scoring 16 points in the second period.

Not to be outdone Povey then took charge sinking three triples as her 15 third quarter points closed the game up – 54 apiece at three-quarter time.

Tavui, Gabby Umaga and Rene Flay kept the score moving for the hosts but Maeli,

Terrina Aratangi and Povey had the answers to carry Massey to the win.

Final Score: St Kentigern 70 – Motufua 29, Tavui 13, Silao 9, Umaga 6 Massey 73 – Povey 33, Aratangi 14, Maeli 12, Laticia Jost 6

Final Standings

12-2 Auckland Girls GS, Westlake Girls HS

11-3 Mt Albert GS

9-5 Rangitoto College

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4-10 Orewa College

3-11 Avondale College, Massey HS

1-13 St Kentigern College

Rosie Davison (photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins)

In the penultimate round of the Girls Premier Grade competition in Auckland the top four teams Auckland Girls Grammar, Westlake, MAGS and Rangitoto College were all too good for lower placed opposition.

Westlake Girls were quick out the blocks against Massey High School racing to a 23-3 first quarter lead. Jess Moors, continuing the good form she displayed at Under 15 Nationals, rattled in 8 early points.

Ramona Fuaivaa and Shauna Povey got the score moving for Massey in the second quarter but Emme Shearer, Rosie Davison and Piper Manolas were more than up for the challenge advancing Westlake to a 44-15 half-time advantage.

Sylvia Wieczorek scored a couple of baskets for Massey in the third but triples from Tiarna Clarke and Jordyn Maddix kept Westlake in the ascendancy, 63-25.

Terrina Aratangi got in on the three point action in the opening stages of the fourth quarter sinking a couple for Massey but a free scoring final quarter from Westlake, led by Alesha Nathan, Davison and Shearer, took the visitors to a convincing win.

Final Score: Massey 41 – Povey 12, Aratangi 8, Povey 7 Westlake 91 – Shearer 20, Davison 17, Moors 13, Alesha Nathan 10

The young Orewa College team had their first dose of LAD (Life After Diakhaby) on Monday night and it didn’t taste too good. Diakhby has finished her time at Orewa ahead of her imminent departure for Junior College in Colorado. The scoring and rebounding prowess of the Junior Tall Fern centre was sorely missed as her former team were defeated 87-19 by Auckland Girls Grammar School.

The visitors opened up a 23-8 first quarter advantage and never looked back. Even without the injured Rionne Papa AGGS had little problem building on their early efforts leading 37-10 at half-time.

Elianna Tuaiti was in dominant form for Grammar dishing assists, securing rebounds and compiling a game high 22 points. Tuaiti was ably assisted by sister Elianna, Mele Latu and Tyla Tuala.

Orewa enjoyed a few more scoring opportunities in the fourth quarter with Sophie Emmett, Hannah Wentworth and Ariana Henare each making baskets.

Final Score: Orewa 19 –Ariana Henare 7, Hannah Wentworth 6 AGS 87 – E Tuaiti 22, Latu 19, Tuala 17, L Tuaiti 8

In other results Rangitoto College beat St Kentigern College 88-47 and Mt Albert Grammar School beat Avondale College 80-50.

Ahead of the semi-final draw the MAGS v Rangitoto game this coming Friday looks set to determine third and fourth placings.

Unless there is a major upset in the final round of games Auckland Grammar will claim top spot over Westlake on points differential. Recently Westlake prevailed 69-65 but earlier in the season AGGS had won 60-43 giving them a +13 advantage.

Premier Girls Standings

11-2 Auckland Girls GS, Westlake Girls HS

9-4 Rangitoto College

9-3 Mt Albert GS

4-9 Orewa College

3-10 Avondale College

2-11 Massey HS

1-11 St Kentigern College

Taine Wattie – one of four seniors playing last home game for Rosmini

In a full round of Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Boys Grade action on Monday night Rangitoto College moved a step closer to the regular season title, Westlake remained hot on Rangi’s heels, Rosmini continued their good run of form and Mt Albert kept alive their faint hopes of a top four finish.

Third met fourth in Takapuna with Rosmini College entertaining Auckland Grammar School. What was expected to be a close, exciting, encounter was unfortunately anything but as the hosts won comfortably 90-70.

Some sloppy AGS turnovers contributed to a 20-13 advantage in favour of Rosmini in a lively opening quarter – a couple of Will Heather hook shots catching the eye.

Grammar opened the second quarter with an 8-3 run to close within two points and when Taki Fahrensohn knocked down his second triple of the game Grammar were 26-25 ahead. That drew a 12-0 response from Rosmini necessitating a Grammar timeout.

Thomas Whyte and Connor Flanagan both scored on the resumption but a Mitchell Dance (12 points in the first half) triple on the half time siren gave the hosts a handy 51-33 lead.

The hard working Flanagan scored the first two baskets of the second half but a Taine Wattie three sandwiched between a pair of Peter Jenkins baskets kept Rozza in the ascendancy. Unfortunately a bad ankle sprain forced Fahrensohn from the court, his outside scoring threat sorely missed by Grammar.

A Ben Turpin three took the advantage to Rozza beyond 20, their all round scoring ability a little too much for Grammar who trailed 75-50 at three-quarter time.

Turpin and Kruz Perrott-Hunt landed threes to open the fourth and stretch the lead further. Tony Malosi-Solomona connected from beyond the arc in reply and Samson Aruwa battled gamely in the paint but AGS were unable to mount a serious comeback. Even the ‘Faithful’ Rosmini support was relatively subdued until the dying moments as their team eased to a comfortable win.

In a fitting gesture before the game the four seniors in the Rosmini team Taine Wattie, Ben Turpin, Sam Bowden and Nathan Curran were introduced to the crowd. All four Year 13 players received generous applause ahead of their last Premier home game.

Final Score; Rosmini 90 – Wattie 22, Perrott-Hunt 15, Dance 14, Jenkins 9 AGS 70 – Aruwa 17, Fahrensohn 15, Flanagan 15, Winitana 11

Onehunga High School were unfortunately on the end of another lop sided score-line as they were pounded 143-38 by top of the table Rangitoto College. Rangi blasted a 30-8 first quarter lead and had it all their own way after that with seven players making double figure contributions.

Final Score: Onehunga 38 Rangitoto 143 – Harry Clarke 35, Brayden Inger 34, Harry Payne 19, Logan Anderson 17, Hyrum Shin 16, Dan Fotu 15

Westlake Boys High School kept the pressure on Rangitoto College for top spot with an emphatic 102-61 victory against lowly Liston College.

Westlake stamped their authority on proceedings with a 28-16 opening burst aided by a couple of treys from captain James Moors.

Blessing Matambanadzo scored 10 points in an even second period for Liston but Moors was in commanding form scoring 25 points in the half including four triples as Westlake led 48-35 at the interval.

The Westlake scoring machine went into overdrive in the third amassing 36 points with Josh Hildago and Reuben Fitzgerald (a dozen points in the period) the main drivers.

With an 85-48 lead the fourth period was purely academic although Kim Estonactor and Matambanadzo did score 6 points each for the hosts.

Final Score: Liston 61 – Matambanadzo 17, Estonactor 13, Daysh Takimoana 8, John Fabian 8 Westlake 102 – Moors 31, Fitzgerald 19, Hildago 18, Marc Malingin 11, Lucas Menenga 9

 Mt Albert Grammar still has a mathematical chance of claiming a semi-final berth after a home win against Kelston Boys High School 62-49.

Liston opened proceedings well with all their starters troubling the scorers as they forged ahead 17-14 at quarter time.

The two teams accumulated just 18 points between them in the second stanza as MAGS edged ahead 25-24.

The decisive move came in the third with MAGS, spearheaded by Michael Gardner, Jack Morrison and Trent Kimiangatau, winning the period 18-8 to lead 43-32 at three-quarter time.

Liam Milne and Matangi Prescott did their best to spark a Kelston revival but the hosts held firm for an important win.

Final Score: MAGS 62 – Gardner 15, Morrison 10, Kimiangatau 9, John-Afi Stowers 7 Kelston 49 – Linus Jakzst 14, Milne 10, Prescott 10, Kale Lawson 10

 Boys Standings;

11-2 Rangitoto College

10-3 Westlake Boys HS

9-3 Rosmini College

7-5 AGS

6-6 MAGS

4-8 Kelston Boys HS

2-10 Onehunga HS

0-12 Liston College

There has been a three-week hiatus in the Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Basketball competition. However many of the players have been busy representing their local associations at National Championships or on overseas tours.

A fair number of the Rangitoto College squad were in Vegas last week representing North Harbour at the Fab 48 Tournament but the 30 degree drop in temperature didn’t cool their scoring ability as they quickly established a 16-4 lead against Kelston Boys High School.

Forward Kale Lawson made a couple of baskets for Kelston late in the period but a pair of threes from Harry Payne ended a profitable opening quarter for the home side 32-14 ahead.

Kelston scored 12 early second period points, most of them to Linus Jakzst, but they still trailed 47-28 to the boys in blue.

Guard Sam Brooking knocked down a three for Kelston but Kaycee Anibueze enjoyed a productive spell as Rangi closed the half 61-36 ahead – the two Harry’s (Clarke and Payne) leading the scoring with 13 points apiece at the interval.

A Dan Fotu steal then block fuelled another Rangitoto scoring burst although Kelston, despite operating with just seven players, refused to buckle. Rangi headed to the last break 80-52 ahead.

A Liam Milne triple opened proceedings in the final stanza but Payne answered in kind. Rangi had multiple scorers in the final quarter as they once again demonstrated that they will be the team to beat in Auckland cruising to a 104-77 victory.

Final Score: Rangitoto 104 – Anibueze 21, Payne 18, Clarke 17, Brayden Inger 13, Fotu 11 Kelston 77 – Jakzst 21, Lawson 17, Milne 14.

An exciting encounter ensued at Auckland Grammar School as the hosts toppled Westlake Boys High School 93-85.

James Moors sunk a couple of threes as Westlake made the slightly better start to lead 23-21 at quarter time.

Grammar responded well with Taki Fahrensohn and Leroy Brown finding their shooting groove in a high scoring second period to help the home team to a 51-46 half-time lead.

It was basket for basket in the third with Grammar holding onto a 4 points, 72-68, advantage with ten minutes to play.

Back to back Reuben Fitzgerald baskets and another two points from Josh Hildago put Westlake up 82-80 with just over 4 minutes to play.

Farensohn then scored five straight points for Grammar only for Hildago to answer again. Fitzgerald made a pair of free throws and with 58 seconds to play the lead was just two points, 88-86, to Grammar. Rua Winitana scored a vital basket for AGS and with Westlake forced to foul to stop the clock Tom Whyte iced the game from the free throw line.

AGS will be delighted to have kept their hopes of a top two finish alive whilst Westlake will take heart from running strong opposition close without three of their starters. Isaac Letoa, Greg Vukets and Thabo Manyere were all absent for differing reasons.

Final Score; AGS 93 – Fahrensohn 25, Connor Flanagan 15, Samson Aruwa 15, Whyte 15 Westlake 86 – Fitzgerald 24, Hildago 23, Moors 20, Ethan Martin 9

Mt Albert Grammar School had little trouble disposing of Liston College winning 78-41. MAGS established an early 10 points lead with Michael Gardner and Trent Kimiangatau doing most the damage and kept the pedal down as they established a 41-23 half-time lead.

The scoring slowed from both sides as just a total of 19 points were scored in the third. MAGS put their foot down again in the fourth as an assortment of scorers continued to trouble Liston who got good service out of Emanuel Maagdenberg and Blessing Matambanadzo.

The win keeps alive Mt Albert’s faint hopes of a top four finish.

Final Score: Mt Albert 78 – Gardner 20, Jonty Vink 14, Kimiangatau 10, Paina Slade 9

Liston 41 -Maagdenberg 9, Matambanadzo 8, Mao Kim 7

It was a Rozza rampage in Takapuna as Rosmimi College demolished Onehunga High School 125-50. The game was over as a contest at half-time with the home side 75-24 in the lead. The Rosmini scoring was led by Ben Turpin but seven players rattled up double figures in a one sided romp Marvin Brown was terrific in a losing cause nailing 34 points for Onehunga.

Final Score: Rosmini 125 – Ben Turpin 21, Mitch Dance 18, Sam Bowden 16 Kruz Perrott-Hunt 15, Taine Wattie 15, Reihana Maxwell-Topia 12, Matt Sokol 10  Onehunga 50 – Brown 34, Clinton Saio 7

Boys Standings;

10-2 Rangitoto College

9-3 Westlake Boys HS

7-3 Rosmini College

7-4 AGS

5-6 MAGS

4-7 Kelston Boys HS

2-9 Onehunga HS

0-10 Liston College

Diakhaby (No 14) heading to Colorado

Katie Diakhaby played her last game for Orewa College on Friday night before heading to Colorado to begin a two year stint at Northeastern Junior College.

The Junior Tall Fern signed off with a typically strong performance landing a game high 27 points as Orewa secured their Premier Grade status for next year (the bottom two teams have to play off for qualification in 2017) with a hard fought 62-54 win against St Kentigern College.

Orewa guard Hannah Wentworth opened the scoring with a triple and there were some early points for St Kent’s forward Vilisi Tavui but Orewa ended the first period 17-13 ahead.

Summer Jean Motufua led the St Kent’s reply in the second as they closed to within three points, 31-28 at the interval.

Diakhaby was a constant threat for the home team and with Wentworth and Ariana Henare landing shots from beyond the three point arc Orewa took a handy 47-41 lead into the last period.

Motofua and Tash Leisman kept the score ticking over for St Kent’s but it was to be Orewa’s day, their team able to wave their USA bound centre off with a valuable win.

Final Score Orewa 62 – Diakhaby 27, Henare 16, Wentworth 12 St Kentigern 54 – Motufua 20, Tavui 8, Renee Flay 8, Leisman 8

The Westlake Girls High School trio of Tiarna Clarke, Rosie Davison and Keeley Tini shared 59 points as their team edged Auckland Girls Grammar School 69-65 in a top of the table clash.

Clarke scored three triples in a tied first quarter before Rionne Papa converted a pair of threes to compliment Mele Latu’s free scoring to give AGGS a 36-26 half-time advantage.

The two teams exchanged baskets in the third as the home team preserved their double-digit lead.

Westlake stormed back in the final quarter with Clarke adding two more treys sandwiched between Tini and Davison scores as the visitors went ahead 57-56 with 4 minutes to play.

Elianna Tuaiti and Latu responded for AGGS but Sophie Dil made a crucial basket and Tini (12 points in the final quarter) iced the game from the free throw line to see Westlake home.

Final Score: Auckland Grammar 65 – Latu 22, Karma Skilton-Roberts 16, Papa 10, E Tuaiti 9 Westlake 69 – Clarke 22, Tini 19, Davison 18.

Ngakita Paton-Young ended a low scoring first quarter by giving Avondale College a narrow 12-10 lead at Rangitoto College.

Annelina Crosbie scored a triple for Rangi to begin the second quarter and with Riana Rangi-Brown (11 points in the first half) and Bella Elgar finding holes in the Avondale defence the home team eked out a narrow 33-28 half-time advantage.

Teneva and Mariah Ropati shared 12 points for Avondale in the third but 11 points in the period from Kaitlin Burgess and 8 points from NZU16 international Gracie Hasler-Ewin ensured Rangitoto closed a dominant third 63-42 to the good.

Maania Spooner scored a neat left handed finger roll basket and Elgar helped herself to some transition buckets as Rangitoto had little trouble protecting their lead in the final period.

Final Score: Rangitoto 82 – Elgar17, Rangi-Brown 17, Burgess 16, Hasler-Ewin 15 Avondale 54 – Teneva Ropati 19, Mariah Ropati 14, Tuave Fepuleva 8

The result of the Massey High school v Mt Albert Grammar fixture will be posted later.

Premier Girls Standings

10-2 Auckland Girls GS, Westlake Girls HS

8-4 Rangitoto College

7-3 Mt Albert GS

4-7 Orewa College

3-9 Avondale College

2-8 Massey HS

1-10 St Kentigern College

There were just four games in the latest round of Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Basketball on Friday, two in the Girls League and two in the Boys.

Played on the last day prior to the school holidays the other four fixtures had been rescheduled.

Orewa College Girls crossed the Harbour Bridge to take on Avondale College and came away with a 61-52 win.

Once again Katie Diakhaby was in dominating form. The Junior Tall Ferns forward amassed 21 points, 25 rebounds and 10 blocks to lead Orewa to a second successive win.

Avondale started the stronger of the two teams and forged a 15-9 opening quarter advantage.

The middle stages, with Diakhaby dominating the boards, were all Orewa as they won quarters two and three by a collective 39-15. Diakhaby made 10 points in each of the middle quarters and received good support from Arianna Henare who contributed six points and a number of assists during that period.

Avondale finished the stronger taking out the fourth (22-12) but a 19 point deficit at three-quarter time was too great to claw back, – Orewa recording their fourth win of the season.

Final Score – Avondale 52 Orewa 61– Diakhaby 31/25/10 blocks, Henare 15/5 assists, Hannah Wentworth 8

Auckland Girls Grammar School beat Massey High School 73-36 to remain at the top of the table.

Eight straight points from Mele Latu propelled Auckland to a 15-9 first quarter lead. She had 16 points by the break, Imogene Noble and Elianna Tuaiti had half a dozen apiece, and the lead had stretched to 36-17 at half-time.

Rose Maele and Terrina Aratangi both made triples for an under strength Massey in the third but it was largely one-way traffic in favour of AGGS who moved out to a thirty points advantage.

Rionne Pappa helped herself to a couple of baskets but the scoring largely cooled in the final period. However AGGS had done more than enough to earn a ninth win of the season.

Final score Auckland 73 – Latu 18, Papa 14, E Tuaiti 11, Imogene Noble 10, Laetitia Tuaiti 8 Massey 36 – Maele 9, Aratangi 8, Shauna Povey 7, Laticia Jost 4

Girls Standings

9-1 Auckland GGS

9-2 Westlake GGS

7-3 Mt Albert GS

7-4 Rangitoto College

4-7 Orewa College

2-8 Avondale Colleges

2-9 Massey High school

1-7 St Kentigern College

In Prem Boys action Luke Fitzpatrick got Mt Albert Grammar School off to the best possible start landing an early triple against Onehunga High School. Michael Gardner added 10 points for the visitors and MAGS were off to a flyer leading 22-8 at quarter time.

Zarne Hughes led something of an Onehunga revival in the second. He had 11 points by half-time but a more balanced MAGS scoring effort saw them ahead 47-30 at the interval.

Onehunga edged the third stanza 16-15 with Marvin Brown and Setuesi Tu’uetiafi (apologies if this is miss spelt) doing most the scoring but they still trailed 62-44 at the end of the period.

MAGS sealed the win with 24 points in the final quarter as seven players got on the score sheet led by Gardner who added another half dozen points and XJana Luamanuvae-Su’a and Manu Dorcil who landed a couple of buckets each.

Final Score: Onehunga 57 – Hughes 16, Brown 14, Tu’uetiafi 10, Jordan Upu 7

Mt Albert 86 – Gardner 23, Luamanuvae-Su’a 13, Jack Morrison 10, Trent Kimiangatau 9, Dorcil 8, John-Afi Stowers 8

In the other boys fixture Auckland Grammar consolidated their place in the top four with a resounding 120-55 victory over cellar dwellers Liston College. Unfortunately I do not have stats or scorers from that game.

Boys Standings

9-2 Westlake Boys HS, Rangitoto Coll

7-3 Rosmini Coll

7-4 Auckland GS

5-6 Mt Albert GS

4-6 Kelston Boys HS

2-9 Onehunga HS

0-10 Liston Coll

The latest round of Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Grade games played on Friday featured a first win of the season for Onehuna High and convincing wins for last seasons two finalists.

It has been a tough start to the season for Onehunga High School losing the first eight games of the season. However, on the back of a dominant fourth quarter they won 95-83 against Kelston Boys High School on Friday.

Onehunga gave up a 49-42 first half advantage to trail 68-65 at three-quarter time before riding home 30-15 in the last to gain a much needed win. Unfortunately I don’t have any other details about the game other than the scorers for Kelston.

Final Score: Onehunga 95 – Kelston 83 – To’o Mase 25, Liam Milne 22/13, Kale Lawson 18/17, Matangi Prescott 12

First played third at Rangitoto College and for three parts of the game Auckland Grammar School looked as if they would push the defending champs all the way.

At three-quarter time AGS trailed by just three points, 73-70. However their starters had played big minutes in order to sustain momentum and keep pressure on the home defence.

In the closing ten minutes AGS were unable to maintain concentration their energy levels dropped and they were blown away 31-8 in the period to lose 104-78.

Unhappy with giving up 54 first half points Rangitoto coach Kenny Stone described his team’s second half performance as, “The best half of basketball we have played this season.”

Rangitoto scored on its first five possessions of the game as Logan Anderson, Brayden Inger, Sam Waardenburg and Dan Fotu all found the net. Thomas Whyte was in good form for AGS and he and Taki Fahrensohn kept their team in touch down by just four, 25-21 at quarter time.

It rained three’s at the start of the second quarter as Harry Payne, Dan Fotu and Zack Te Puni all connected from deep for Rangi and Whyte and Farensohn did the same for Grammar.

Samson Aruwa and Connor Flanagan caused Rangi some inside problems and they helped put Auckland into the lead 47-43.

Inger and the white-hot Whyte landed a pair of threes each as AGS led 54-53 at half time.

Flanagan made an impressive baseline move followed by a triple and it took a couple of baskets from Harry Clarke and Cam Stone to keep the visitors at bay at three-quarter time.

Then came that Rangi rush in the fourth. Last week Waardenburg and Fotu scored 49 points between them, this week they went one better, making a round fifty as they helped Rangi to an eighth win of the season.

Final Score: Rangitoto 104 – Waardenburg 27pts/15rebs, Fotu 23pts/8assists, Inger 19, Anderson 13, Te Puni 7 AGS 78 – Whyte 23, Aruwa 18, Flanagan 16, Farensohn 11

Isaac Letoa missed almost half of the game against Rangitoto after suffering a gashed eyebrow but he made up for lost time plundering 35 points against Mt Albert Grammar on Westlake’s home court on Friday.

He made his intentions clear from the outset combining typically athletic drives with outside accuracy – 8 points in the opening salvo including two baskets from beyond the arc helped take Westlake to a 15-12 quarter time advantage.

Another 8 points in the second plus a helping hand from fellow guard Josh Hildago and Lucas Mennenga kept Westlake in the ascendancy at the break 29-22. Michael Gardner made just 4 first half points as the MAGS danger man was kept in check by the Lake defence. Trent Kimiangata.

John Barr scored a couple of early second half baskets for the visitors in the third but with James Moors dropping a three, Reuben Fitzgerald and Hildago making a couple of baskets each and Letoa purring along the lead was 52-34 in favour of Westlake at the third break.

MAGS enjoyed their best scoring quarter in the fourth as Paina Slade and Jack Morrison found the net but Letoa wasn’t done. The Westlake captain scored another ten points in the period to cap a fine game and get his team back on track for a top two finish.

Final Score: Westlake 75 – Letoa 35, Hildago 12, Moors 7pts/9rebs, Scott Telfer 7pts/9rebs MAGS 51 – Gardner 8, Kimiangatau 7, Barr 6, Slade 6, Morrison 6

Rosmini College may have been without three players, on duty in Melbourne with the NZ Under 16 team, but they made light work of their visit to Liston College winning 113-50.

Rosmini dominated from the outset leading 38-16 at quarter time with guard Taine Wattie, in good form this season, nabbing 9 points in the period. The game was over as a contest by half-time with the visitors ahead 67-23.

Stand-in coach Matt Lacey had the luxury of giving extended court time to his bench in the second half enabling eight players to make double figures.

Dru Leo and Kim Estonactor shared 33 points for Liston including a combined nine triples.

Liston 50 – Leo 19, Estonactor14, Blessing Matambanadzo 7 Rosmini 113 – Wattie 19, Ben Turpin 17, Kruz Perrott-Hunt 13, Nathan Curran 12pts/10rebs Peter Jenkins 12pts/8rebs, Reihana Maxwell-Topia 11

League Standings

9-2 Westlake Boys HS

8-2 Rangitoto College

7-3 Rosmini College

6-4 Auckland Grammar

5-5 Kelston Boys HS

4-6 Mt Albert Grammar

2-7 Onehunga HS

0-9 Liston College

Auckland Girls Grammar School bounced back in style from their defeat against Mt Albert Grammar in Auckland Secondary Schools Prem Grade last week. The girls from the central city defeated Rangitoto College in ‘The Freezer’, otherwise known as Rangi’s gym, 76-67 on Friday.

The score line slightly flattered Rangitoto as AGGS led 65-47 early in the fourth and took their foot of the pedal in the dying stages.

Led by Elianna Tuaiti AGGS base their game around aggressive defence and rebounding to fuel their transition game. But they are no one trick pony as demonstrated by Tyla Tuala who knocked down a couple of outside shots early on to propel her team to a 16-11 lead.

Unfortunately Bella Elgar and Rionne Papa had a clash of heads early in the period with Elgar coming off worse and having to retire from the game. Papa continued after some treatment and a spell on the bench.

Tabitha Jenkins made a couple of nice left handed inside buckets but Rangi trailed 22-11 at the first break.

A triple from Riana Rangi-Brown hinted at a home team comeback but the trio of Papa, Eli Tuaiti and Mele Latu were dominating the boards and despite a Sophie Bond three in the shadows of half-time AGGS were in control 39-23 at the interval.

Rangitoto were dealing primarily in threes in the third quarter as Bond, Jenkins, Tessa Gush and Annalina Crosbie all converted from beyond the arc. In contrast AGGS were penetrating and dishing as Tuaiti opened up the lanes for southpaw Papa and Latu to make baskets and take the visitors to a 58-41 lead.

Karma Skilton-Roberts made a difficult drive look easy as AGGS stretched the lead to eighteen but credit to Rangi, they had the better of the back end of the game, and closed to within ten points.

Fittingly Eli Tuaiti, the player of the game, made a late three to put the finishing touch to a conclusive AGGS win.

Shout out to the AGGS coaching staff of John Subritzky and Miu Tuala who both wore shorts in ‘The Freezer’ – they are probably still thawing out!

Final Score: Rangitoto 67 – Jenkins 18pts/14rebs, Crosbie 14, Bond 11, Robyn Blackstock 9pts/11rebs Auckland Grammar 76 – E Tuaiti 22, Latu 17, Tuala 15, Papa9, Skilton-Roberts 9

Just down the road Westlake Girls High School entertained Mt Albert Grammar School in a game to decide outright second on the ladder.

Both teams were minus a New Zealand reps with MAGS forward Sharne Pupuke-Robati and Westlake guard Jordyn Maddix both in Melbourne with the NZ Under 16 team.

Westlake won the opening stanza 15-11 with forward Sophie Dil kick starting their effort.

The lead was extended to 32-27 at half-time as the Westlake duo of Tiarna Clarke and Keeley Tini shared 21 points. Trinity Paeu had a strong half for MAGS with 8 points, as did Rikki Fiatau with seven.

Photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins

Clarke nailed a pair of three’s in the third period and Piper Manolas scored five straight points as Westlake took the period 19-11 to extend their advantage to 13 points (51-38).

It was more of the same in the fourth as Westlake eased out to a 69-48 victory.

Final Score: Westlake 69 – Clarke 18, Tini 15, Jessica Moors 9, Rosie Davison 9 Mt Albert 48 – Jodea Joseph 11, Moanekah Vai 8, Paeu 8, Fiatau 8

Katie Diakhaby proved the difference between the two sides as she powered Orewa College to a 61-54 road win against Massey High School. The Junior Tall Ferns forward amassed 34 points and 31 rebounds – 17 at the offensive end – in one of the outstanding individual performances of the season to date.

Photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins

The game was close throughout highlighted by the fact that only one scoring shot separated the teams in three of the quarters. The decisive period was the third, that Orewa won 19-12, to give them a 43-37 advantage that they were able to protect in the closing stages.

Guard Hannah Wentworth (13pts) gave Diakhaby good support with Shauna Povey and Terrina Aratangi leading the Massey effort.

Final Score; Massey 54 – Povey 18, Aratangi 14, Ashlee Tyacke 7, Alyesha Schuster 7 Orewa 61 – Diakhaby 34/31, Wentworth 13, Ariana Henare 6, Megan Hoore 5

Result between Avondale an St Kentigern is unknown at this stage.

Girls Standings:

8-1 Auckland Girls GS

9-2 Westlake Girls HS

7-3 Mt Albert GS

7-4 Rangitoto Coll

3-7 Orewa Coll

2-7 Avondale Coll

2-8 Massey HS

1-7 St Kentigern Coll