LACEY LOWDOWN

The new Westlake Boys High School gym was packed to the rafters for the local derby with Rangitoto College on Monday night.

The game appeared to be heading for a tight finish before Westlake guard Isaac Letoa was forced from the court with blood streaming from a head wound in the third period.

After receiving attention on the sideline the international guard headed to hospital for further treatment and took no further part in proceedings. His presence was sorely missed by Westlake as they slipped to an 83-65 defeat, outscored 56-25 in the second half.

Logan Anderson landed a three for Rangitoto but they were off the pace in the early stages forcing coach Kenny Stone to call a timeout with his team trailing 15-5 after 5 minutes.

Stone took the opportunity to introduce Dan Fotu and Sam Waardenburg into the fray and the move paid dividends as both scored in a 12-1 run to edge them ahead 17-16 at quarter time.

The pair had arrived at the game straight from Auckland airport having attended the prestigous Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp in Melbourne at the weekend.

Raw pace took Marc Malingin to the basket on consecutive Westlake offences and he then unloaded an impressive pass for a Lucas Mennenga basket that took them ahead 26-21.

Brayden Inger cut the Westlake advantage to a point but Reuben Fitzgerald countered, 30-27.

A Thabo Manyere two and an Isaac Letoa three excited the home crowd and when Letoa landed an NBA range three on the half time buzzer Westlake boasted a 40-27 lead.

A Letoa intercept and layup opened the second half scoring but consecutive threes from Inger and Harry Clarke gave the visitors some momentum.

A Fotu put back cut the Westlake advantage to 44-39 but on the same play Latoa suffered that crucial injury.

Initially Westlake coped adequately as Fitzgerald and James Moors made baskets but a Waardenburg And 1 play followed by scores from Inger and Harry Clarke took Rangitoto to a 63-59 three-quarter time lead.

The fourth quarter was largely one way traffic as Waardenburg, Fotu and Clarke shared 18 points in the period.

Rangitoto are yet to field a full team this season due to injuries and international calls. This performance suggests they will be the team to beat when the silverware is on the line later in the season.

Final Score: Westlake 65 – Fitzgerald 19pts/9rebs, Letoa 19, Manyere 8, Moors 5pts/9rebs Rangitoto 83 – Waardenburg 26, Fotu 23, Clarke 12, Inger 9pts/9rebs

Footnote: Sam Waardenburg claimed the Camp MVP Award at the Basketball Without Borders Clinic held in Melbourne last weekend. In addition Christchuch Boys High guard Quinn Clinton was voted the MVP of the All- Star game.

Boys Standings after 8 rounds:

7-1 Westlake Boys HS, Rangitoto College

5-3 Auckland Grammar, Rosmini College

4-4 Mt Albert Grammar

3-5 Kelston Boys HS

1-7 Liston Coll

0-8 Onehunga HS

Photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins

In perhaps an Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Grade first, the Rangitoto College Girls team played two games in five hours on Monday. At 1pm they entertained St Kentigern College and at 6pm visited local rivals Westlake.

A clumsy opening quarter against St Kentigern was punctuated by a number of fouls and turnovers as both sides struggled to find any offensive fluency.

Forward Vilisi Tauvi scored the first basket for St Kent’s and a basket from Summer Motufoua gave the visitors an early 10-5 advantage.

Five points from Robyn Blackstock reduced the margin but St Kent’s closed the first period 14-12 to the good.

Riana Rangi-Brown gave Rangitoto the lead with a drive bookended by pair of threes. Tabitha Jenkins and Kaitlin Burgess made buckets and suddenly Rangi were 26-17 to the good and St Kent’s called a timeout.

Nothing came of the discussions as Rangitoto embarked on another 14-0 run, fuelled predominantly by Jenkins, to lead 40-17 at half-time.

St Kent’s only basket in the second quarter was courtesy of Renee Flay.

Tavui scored early in the third period and Tash Leishman converted a triple for St Kent’s but Rangitoto, with Blackstock and Jenkins combining well inside, were able to keep the score ticking over.

Motufoua sank a three and a jump shot for two from the head of the key but it was only a mild inconvenience for Rangi who led 58-29 at three-quarter time. Seven different players contributed to the Rangi score in the third and the balanced scoring effort continued in the final period.

With the cushion of a thirty point lead Rangitoto rotated their troops in a bid to keep their players fresh for the Westlake clash later in the day.

Final Score: Rangitoto 73 –Rangi-Brown 16, Jenkins 14, Blackstock 12, Burgess 11 St Kentigern 41 – Motufoua 10, Tauvi 8, Renee Flay 7, Courtney Griffiths 6

Rangitoto found the going a lot tougher against Westlake Girls High School in the 6pm game. With a short turnaround they visibly wilted in the middle stages eventually going down 71-59.

Tiarna Clarke scored 8 of Westlake’s first 9 points, a close opening ten minutes won 17-15 by Westlake.

Clarke continued to inflict damage knocking down a three to extend the Lake advantage to 24-17.

Robyn Blackstock scored the first basket of the next period for Rangi and Kaitlin Burgess also connected followed by a Blackstock a reverse lay-up.

When Tessa Gush landed a triple the Westlake lead had been cut to 36-31 at the interval.

Rosie Davison (10 points in the quarter) scored the opening 2 baskets of the second half and then fed Sia Talafou for a score as Westlake quickly opened a double figure advantage.

Bella Elgar ended a 12-0 Westlake run but even when Riana Rangi-Brown made an And 1 play the deficit was still 10 points.

Year 10 student Emme Shearer, having an outstanding game, scored back to back lay ups and followed those with a corner three to end a dominating 28-13 quarter in favour of Lake – 64-44 they led.

Rangi-Brown with a drive made the opening score of the final quarter but a long three from Clarke snuffed out any hint of a Rangitoto revival as did further baskets from Chanel Brodeur-Muir and Davison.

Westlake with the win – Rangitoto perhaps regretting scheduling two games on the same day.

Final Score: Westlake 71 – Clarke 21, Shearer 20, Davison 17, Brodeur-Muir 7, Rangitoto 59 – Rangi-Brown 16, Blackstock 12, Elgar 10, Gush 6

Premier Girls Standings:

7-1 Auckland Girls GS

8-2 Westlake Girls HS

7-2 Mt Albert GS

6-3 Rangitoto College

2-6 Massey HS, Orewa College

1-7 Avondale College, St Kentigern Coll

Mt Albert Grammar School demonstrated that they are genuine contenders for the Auckland Secondary Schools Girls Prem Grade title after completing an exciting 66-63 victory over Auckland Girls Grammar School on Friday.

Rhyannon Poto and Sharne Robati were outstanding for MAGS showing great composure throughout a tight encounter.

Auckland entered the game with an unbeaten record and but for some missed opportunities from the foul line could have recorded their eighth straight win of the season. However MAGS led by Moanikah Vaai executed well down the stretch to secure a narrow win, a win that opens up the championship race.

Final Score: AGGS 63  MAGS 66

Both Rangitoto College and Orewa College were shorn of a little firepower in their game but Rangitoto, with more depth, coped better with the absences winning 100-42.

Photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins

Grace Hasler-Ewin helped herself to eight first quarter points as Rangitoto opened up a 22-12 lead.

Full court pressure from Rangi in the second period took its toll on the seven-player Orewa rotation. A series of turnovers from the green and blacks contributed to the 60-21 advantage enjoyed by Rangitoto at half-time.

Kaitlin Burgess led the Rangi first half scoring rush with 14 points – Hannah Wentworth, working tirelessly, had 10 points for Orewa.

Katie Diakhaby opened the second half scoring for Orewa and a Wentworth triple also helped their cause, as did improved defence that stalled the Rangi scoring.

A timeout from Rangitoto coach Ang Perrott-Hunt worked a treat as Burgess converted a triple, and along with Hasler-Ewin, the pair dominated the scoring to help Rangi to a 79-33 three quarter time lead.

Riana Rangi-Brown scored back to back baskets for Rangi, replicated by Diakhaby at the other end, but Rangi stretched their lead to 84-37 with 7 minutes to play.

Hasler-Ewin, off to Melbourne next week with the New Zealand Under 16 team, continued to show a nice scoring touch as did Robyn Blackstock – Rangitoto comfortable winners.

Photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins

Final Score: Rangitoto 100 – Burgess 25, Hasler-Ewin 18, Tessa Gush 11, Bella Edgar 10, Tabitha Jenkins 9, Blackstock 6pts/10rebs Orewa College 42 – Wentworth 17, Diakhaby 17, Ariana Henare 4

Westlake Girls High School entertained St Kentigern College and had little trouble recording a 74-31 victory.

Westlake captain Rosie Davison scored 8 early points as the hosts raced to a 16-1 quarter time lead. St Kents made a much better fist of things in the second matching Westlake basket for basket to reach half-time 30-15 down.

Westlake went on to dominate the second half as Tiarna Clarke, Sia Talafou, Keeley Tini and the typically energetic Chanel Brodeur-Muir stretched the advantage.

St Kentigern, despite only having six players, competed to the end with Vilisi Tavui leading their effort with 12 points.

Final Score: Westlake 74 – Davison 24, Clarke 14, Talafou 12 Brodeur-Muir 9, Tini 8. St Kentigern 31 – Tavui 12, Renee Flay 8, Summer 7

In the final game of the round Massey High School were pipped 79-74 by Avondale College. Massey led 46-42 at half-time but Avondale leveled by three-quarter time, the scores locked at 61 apiece.

Despite 23 points from Shauna Povey and a monster double double (12 points and 27 rebounds) from Sylvia Wieczorek Massey were run down in the final period.

Finals Score: Massey 74 – Povey 23, Harmony Rangi-Brown 13, Wieczorek12pts/27rebs, Alyesha Schuster 11. Avondale 79

Girls Standings:

7-1 Auckland Girls GS

7-2 Westlake Girls HS, Mt Albert GS

6-2 Rangitoto College

2-6 Massey HS, Orewa College

1-6 St Kentigern College

1-7 Avondale College

Photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins

Rangitoto College were without starters Dan Fotu and Sam Waardenburg for their round nine Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Grade clash with Rosmini College on Friday.

The pair are attending the NBA endorsed Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp in Melbourne and their experience was missed as Rosmini outscored the defending champions 11-0 in the closing four minutes to win an entertaining game 82-75.

Nathan Curran scored the first basket of the game but Kaycee Anibueze replied with a brace of buckets for Rangitoto.

Brayden Inger marked his comeback to something approaching full fitness with a spinning drive and Kruz Perrott-Hunt replied with some acrobatics of his own. Inger later landed a couple of triples as his team led 29-22 at quarter time.

Zac Te Puni followed a block with a banked three to take the Rangi lead into double figures midway through the second quarter.

Perrott-Hunt landed a three for the hosts followed by a running hook shot that gave The Faithful home support their voice despite trailing 43-37 with 4:00 to play in the half.

A Ben Turpin three and a Peter Jenkins two gave Rozza a one point lead but the advantage was reclaimed by Te Puni (12 points) the games leading scorer at half-time and Rangitoto ahead 45-44 at the interval.

Another spectacular play from Perrott-Hunt drew applause and with Inger in equally fine form the lead changed hands a number of times in the third. Cam Stone landed a baseline three but dad Kenny got pinged for a coach technical as his boys trailed 65-64 at three-quarter time.

Photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins

Anibueze, Te Puni and Inger edged Rangitoto ahead but Mitchell Dance, Joe Hylton and Perrott-Hunt replied to give Rozza a 71-70 lead with 5 to play.

Rangi guard Harry Payne nailed a triple and Te Puni  a pair of freebies –

4 down with 4 to play Dave Mackay the Rosmini coach called a timeout.

Whatever was said in the huddle worked a treat for the home side as Rangi failed to register another point and Rozza capitalized. Jenkins and Taine Wattie made baskets and then Marvin Williams-Dunn and Jenkins iced the game from the foul line.

Rangitoto’s disappointment was eased by the news that the duo of Sam and Dan will be back for the top of the table clash with Westlake on Monday. That game will be reported here on the Lowdown along with the Westlake v Rangitoto girls clash.

Final Score: Rosmini  82- Perrott-Hunt 19, Wattie 15, Jenkins 14, Curran 8pts/9rebs Rangitoto 75 – Inger 21, Te Puni 16, Stone 8, Anibueze 8

Referees Oceen Reid and Gareth Tehan contributed to a fine exhibition of school basketball

Unfortunately Onehunga High School had to default its game against Westlake Boys High School due to a shortage of players.

Kelston Boys High School and Liston College had a really tight encounter with next to nothing separating the two teams until the final quarter. The scores were tied at quarter time with Kelston holding sway 34-32 at the break. It was back to all square at the end of the third (49-49) before Kelston pulled away in the last quarter to take a hard earned victory.

Once again Kelston were indebted to Linus Jakzst who produced a dominant double double of 24 points and 15 rebounds.

Final Score: Kelston 70 – Jakzst 24pts/15rebs, Matangi Prescott 14, Kale Lawson 8/15, To’o Mase 8, Liam Milne 8  Liston 60 – Emmanuel Maagdenburg 16, Leo 9, Lev Prokefyeu 13 Blessing Matambanadzo 6

In one of the oldest rivalries in Auckland school sport, Auckland Grammar School entertained Mt Albert Grammar School.

Auckland held the edge early on establishing an 11-9 first quarter lead courtesy of 7 early points from Sam Aruwa. The lead was pushed out to 30-26 by half-time as Rua Winitana, LeRoy Brown and Thomas Whyte all landed threes. Luke Fitzpatrick landed a brace of triples for MAGS in the second period.

The decisive period in the game was the third. Grammar, with seven different scorers logged 28 points in the quarter to move to a 58-45 lead. Auckland, led by Tuki Fahrensohn had little trouble protecting their lead going on to record a decisive win.

Final Score: Auckland 77 – Fahrensohn 20, Aruwa 16, Connor Flanagan 14, Winitana 14, Thomas Whyte 9  Mt Albert 61 – Fitzpatrick 10, Michael Gardner 9, Nathan Edwards 8, John-Afi Stowers 6/8

Boys Standings after 9 rounds;

7-1 Westlake Boys HS

7-2 Rangitoto College

6-3 Auckland Grammar, Rosmini College

4-5 Mt Albert Grammar, Kelston Boys HS

1-8 Liston Coll

0-9 Onehunga HS

On the opening day of the Auckland Secondary Schools Boys Premier Grade competition Mt Albert Grammar School gave a vibrant, winning performance at Rosmini College to stun the home supporters. On Friday the tables were turned as Rosmini led from go to woe to record a fourth straight win, 61-44, at MAGS.

Rosmini headed a low scoring first quarter 13-9 increased to 33-26 at half-time with guards Michael Gardner (10pts) and Taine Wattie (11pts) leading the scoring for their respective teams.

Defence again held ascendancy in the third quarter with both teams struggling to find their attacking rhythm. Kruz Perrott-Hunt landed a triple for Rozza and the hard working Jack Morrison scored 6 points for MAGS but they still trailed 46-34 at three-quarter time.

A frustrated MAGS coach Daryl Cartwright picked up a technical foul early in the final period. To add to his problems Gardner limped from the game with an ankle injury sustained when hitting the deck after a typically athletic drive.

For Rosmini Nathan Curran was having a fine game adding a couple of baskets as well as dominating the key at the defensive end with numerous blocks and rebounds.

When Rozza point guard Marvin Williams-Dunn landed a triple with just under 5 minutes to go his team moved to an unassailable 57-40 lead. Gardner returned and, although restricted by his injury, landed a couple of baskets but it was not enough to change the outcome.

Final Score: MAGS 44 – Gardner 15, Morrison 11pts/7rebs, Jonty Vink 5/7, John Barr 4/7 Rosmini 61 – Wattie 16, Curran 14pts/11rebs/6blocks, Perrott-Hunt 9, Mitchell Dance 9

For the second successive week Westlake Boys High School left it late as they secured a 76-66 win at Kelston Boys High School. With four minutes to play Kelston were trailing by just two points but some costly turnovers robbed them of the chance of an upset win.

Westlake made a strong start leading 22-13 at the first break as Isaac Letoa, Marc Malingin and Reuben Fitzgerald each collected a brace of baskets. Fitzgerald would go on to have a major impact on the game scoring a game high 24 points including four triples from eight attempts.

Kelston worked their way back into the contest in the middle periods as Linus Jakzst, Kale Lawson and To’o Mase regularly found ways to the hoop.

At the start of the fourth the difference was just four points, 52-48 in favour of Lake.

Jakzst (19 points and 21 rebounds), having a monster game, kept his team on Westlake’s shirttails and when Sam Brooking made a three a home victory looked a distinct possibility.

However Westlake captain Letoa, who had been kept scoreless in periods two and three, responded with a three of his own and his ten final quarter points, along with six from fellow guard Fitzgerald, helped see off the Kelston challenge.

Final Score Kelston 66 – Jakzst 19pts/21rebs, Lawson 13/9, Mase 13, Matangi Prescott 12, Westlake 76 – Fitzgerald 23, Letoa 14/9, James Moors 8/10, Greg Vukets 7/11/7 assists

Rangitoto College coach Kenny Stone described the margin of his team’s win against Liston College as, “flattering”.

“They were the better team for three-quarters of the game,” he added.

However good teams find a way to win when preforming below par and Rangi did just that dominating the final period (32-10) to run out 88-57 winners.Dru Leo was prominent for Liston in the first half collecting 11 points as his team trailed by just five, 32-27 at the interval.

Brayden Inger, making a welcome return from injury for the defending champions, scored 8 points in the third period but Liston’s Emmanuel Maagdenburg bettered that by three to keep his team in contention trailing 56-47 with ten to play.

Unfortunately he and his colleagues could only muster four field goals in the final quarter as their valiant effort faltered. In contrast Rangi had seven contributors to their thirty-two final period onslaught that included triples from Cam Stone and Harry’s Payne and Clarke.

Final Score Rangitoto 88 – Harrison Payne 16, Inger 13, Harrison Clarke 9, Dan Fotu 9, Logan Anderson 8 Liston 57 – Emmanuel Maagdenburg 16, Leo 9, Lev Prokefyeu 13 Blessing Matambanadzo 6

In the other game Auckland Grammar School beat Onehunga High School 96-30.

Boys Standings after 8 rounds;

7-1 Westlake Boys HS, Rangitoto College

5-3 Auckland Grammar, Rosmini College

4-4 Mt Albert Grammar

3-5 Kelston Boys HS

1-7 Liston Coll

0-8 Onehunga HS

Led by Sharne Robati Mt Albert Grammar School were in dominant form against Orewa College. Robati scored the opening six points for her team and had a dozen by half-time as her team forged a 56-17 lead at the interval.

MAGS had contributions right across the board, including six final quarter points from Abigail Roache, as they cruised to a 77-26 win. Captain Katie Diakhaby was the best for the plucky Orewa side scoring 12 points and Ariana Henare chipped in with 9 points.

Final Score: MAGS 77 – Robati 24, T Tomokino 14, Trinity Paeu 10 Orewa College 26 – Diakhaby 12, Henare 9,

Robyn Blackstock and Bella Elgar combined for 13 first quarter points as Rangitoto College raced to a 25-9 first quarter lead at home to Masey High School.

Terina Aratangi landed a couple of threes for Massey in the second quarter but it did little to halt the Rangi momentum. Led by a dozen first half points from guard Riana Rangi-Brown the hosts bossed the game with an 48-21 half time lead.

Riana’s younger sister wasn’t to be overshadowed, Harmony scoring all Massey’s third quarter points and also blocking one of big sister’s shots – much to the delight of the Massey bench.

However it would be Riana who would have the final say leading all scorers as Rangi romped to a convincing win. Kaitlin Burgess put an exclamation mark on the victory with a triple to round out the Rangi scoring.

Final Score – Rangitoto 80 – R Rangi-Brown 18, Tabitha Jenkins 11, Kaitlyn Morrell 11, Bella Elgar 11 Massey 41 – Aratangi 9, H Rangi-Brown 8, Shauna Povey 8, Ramona Fuaivaa 6

After last week’s home loss to Auckland Grammar, Westlake returned to the winners podium with a 63-42 victory against Avondale College.

Tiarna Clarke would drop four triples on the night and a brace of them early settled the Westlake nerves as they forged a 20-9 first period advantage increased to 32-23 at the break.

A couple of baskets each from Emme Shearer and Alesha Nathan in the third helped keep Avondale at bay despite the concerted efforts of Mariah and Teneva Ropati. The two combined for 32 points but a much more balanced Westlake scoring effort; they had nine contributors against Avondale’s six helped take them to victory.

Final Score – Avondale 42 – M Ropati 20, T Ropati 12  Westlake 63 – Clarke 20, Rosie Davison 9, Shearer 9, Nathan 8

My eye in the sky informs me that Auckland Girls Grammar School defeated St Kentigern College 81-49

Girls Standings

7-0 Auckland Girls GS

6-2 Westlake Girls HS, Mt Albert GS

5-2 Rangitoto College

2-5 Massey HS, Orewa College

1-5 St Kentigern Coll

1-6 Avondale College

Thabo Manyere

The feature game of round 7 of the Auckland Secondary Schools Boys Prem competition was the match up between two old rivals Westlake Boys High School and Auckland Grammar School. AGS looked in control at three-quarter time leading 54-43 but were outscored in the final quarter by a rampant Westlake 34-7 to lose 77-61.

A Leroy Brown three punctuated four points from Isaac Letoa in the opening stages and a dunk from the impressive Connor Flanagan gave AGS a 7-6 lead.

Reuben Fitzgerald’s three tied the scores then eight straight points from Thabo Manyere propelled Westlake to a 17-13 quarter time lead.

Grammar opened the second period scoring through Flanagan and Rua Winitan in transition tied the scores 20-20.

The teams were exchanging baskets as Letoa glided to the hoop, Manyere converted an and 1 play and then fed James Moors for a reverse lay up.

At the other end Flanagan scored with a hook shot and a Samson Aruwa put back gave AGS 32-31 half-time lead.

Early in the second a baseline jumper from Winitana and a triple from Brown extended AGS advantage to 40-32.

Fitzgerald responded with a three for Westlake but Aruwa, dominating the paint, finished the third quarter with a muscular offensive move to keep AGS ahead 54-43.

Westlake needed to respond and respond they did. They began the final period with some extended ball pressure and the move paid dividends as AGS committed a series of turnovers – Fitzgerald cutting the advantage to 58-50 with 7:23 to play.

More turnovers, more Lake points in transition, 59-58 with 4:56 left.

A Moors jumper tied the scores, Manyere scored the go ahead dunk 62-60 to Westlake and an AGS timeout required.

Further Manyere points and an intercept from the athletic forward for a Fitzgerald basket, AGS without any answers 70-60 down with only 2:30 to play.

Westlake had all the momentum as a Letoa assist fed another Manyere dunk before Letoa himself capped a remarkable final quarter for his team with a late triple.

Westlake producing a stunning last period, Grammar left to ponder what might have been.

Final Score: Westlake 77- Letoa 17/10, Manyere 28pts/14rebs, Fitzgerald 17, Vukets 7. AGS 61 – Brown 14, Flanagan 12, Winitana 10, Aruwa 9.

Rangitoto College remains in equal top spot with Westlake after a 92-65 victory at Kelston Boys HS.

The scores were locked at 20 points apiece, with Linus Jakzst nabbing 10 early points in the first period. However Rangi made the necessary adjustments to contain Jakzst in the paint and when a Cam Stone block set up a spectacular and 1 play for Harry Clarke Rangi were 10 points clear.

Rangi won each of the subsequent quarters by margins of 10, 3 and 14 to record a sixth win of the season. Zac Te Puni top scored for Rangi after a 14 points final quarter haul but there were contributions right across the board for the victors.

Kelston were well served by Liam Milne and Kale Lawson who scored 18 points each.

Final Score: Kelston 65 – Milne 18, Lawson 18pts/7rebs, Jakzst 12/14, Matangi Prescott 8. Rangitoto 92 – Te Puni 20, Clarke 14, Kaycee Anibueze 13, Hyrum Shin 10, Dan Fotu 10

In a scrappy match at St Kents, Rosmini College resisted an improved Onehunga High School side, winning 108-82. Rosmini were out of the gates early capitalising on turnovers from the Onehunga guards and using their full court defense to full effect, leading 74-44 at the half.

A stand out performance from Onehunga guard Zarne Leuluai-Hughes (44 points) kept the game interesting in the second half but Rosmini, winning their third game on the trot, were always in control.

Rosmini, paced by twenty points contributions from Taine Wattie and Mitchell Dance, gave Premier debuts to Deimar Cruz and Tyler Martin.

Final Score: Onehunga 82 – Leuluai-Hughes 44, Joe Tufuga 15. Rosmini 108 – Dance 24, Wattie 22, Nathan Curran 16pts/9rebs. Will Heather 14pts/8rebs.

Mt Albert Grammar grabbed the win against Liston College 61-42 but it took a last quarter 17-6 charge for MAGS to see off their feisty opponents.

Michael Gardner, 27 points on the night, and Mandela Baledrokadroka shared twelve final period points to stifle the Liston challenge.

Final Score MAGS 61 – Gardner 27, Baledrokadroka 10pts/11rebs, Theo Hurdley 6

Liston 42 – Emmanuel Maagdenburg 13, John Fabian 9, Lev Prokefyeu 8 Kim Estonactor 7,

Boys Standings after 7 rounds;

6-1 Westlake Boys HS, Rangitoto College

4-3 Auckland Grammar, Mt Albert Grammar, Rosmini College

3-4 Kelston Boys HS

1-6 Liston Coll

0-7 Onehunga HS

First played second on the table in round 7 of the Auckland Secondary Schools Premier competition played on Monday. Westlake Girls High School hosted top of the table Auckland Girls Grammar School in the game of the round. And it was the visitors that took the honours winning 60-43.

Westlake was dealt a blow in the opening minute with Zara Jillings forced to the sideline with a badly sprained ankle.

Grammar profited from her departure leading by half a dozen points, at the mid point of the quarter but Westlake scored the last seven points of the period to lead 15-12 at the first break. Mele Latu logged 10 points for AGGS in the opening period.

AGGS began the second with a 6-0 start highlighted by a nice baseline drive from Tyla Tuala.

AGGS forward Elianna Tuaiti picked up her third foul as Rosie Davison made a difficult basket in traffic but AGS were 26-23 to the good.

A long two from Tuala stretched the visitors lead to 28-23 at half-time

AGGS began the third period with another run, this time 9-1 to lead 37-24 and force Lake coach Jody Cameron to call a timeout. Her team was struggling to manufacture many open scoring opportunities against an active AGGS zone.

A Davison basket plus a Tiarna Clarke three helped the Westlake cause but

Grammar was winning the rebounding battle and this was emphasised by an offensive rebound and put back by from Rionne Papa to give the visitors a 43-31 three-quarter time advantage.

A Clarke steal and layup followed by a Davison block and coast to coast basket reduced the deficit to 37-45 at the 6:57 mark prompting John Subritzky the Auckland coach to use a timeout.

Papa immediately restored the double-digit advantage despite Emme Shearer scoring in transition for the home side.

Back to back drives from Papa almost sealed the deal at 53-39 with 3:20 to play but and 1 play from Karma Skilton-Roberts with 90 seconds left certainly did.

A combination of strong rebounding and high percentage shooting, particularly from the foul line secured a seventh straight win from Auckland Girls Grammar.

Subritzky is delighted with the AGGS start to the season but admitted, “I’m very surprised with how we are doing. The girls are playing well as a team but I didn’t expect us to be unbeaten at this stage.”

Final Score; Westlake – 43 Davison 11, Shearer 11, Brodeur-Muir 8, Clarke 7. AGGS – 60 – Latu 16, Skilton-Robertr 13, Papa 12, Tuala 10, Elianna Tuaiti 9

Orewa College gained its second win of the season travelling to St Kentigern College and winning a tight one 74-69.

Crossing the Harbour Bridge must have taken its toll on the Orewa team as they found themselves 19-9 down at quarter time.

They recovered to trail by just two points at half-time and kept their composure in the second half after hitting the front. Katie Diakhaby – 37 points –had a monster game recording the highest individual score this season in the Girls competition.

Final Score: St Kent’s 69 Orewa 74 – Diakhaby 37, Hannah Wentworth 14 Arianna Henare 12,

Massey High School found it tough going at Mt Albert Grammar trailing 16-5 early on and 31-15 at half-time. Things improved a little in the second period but not enough to threaten a dominant MAGS performance.

Final Score: MAGS 64 Massey 37 – Shauna Povey 9, Sylvia Wieczorek 8pts/16rebs, Laticia Jost 6, Edynn Doreen 6

Rangitoto College defeated Avondale College 73-40 in an error ridden game.

The Rangitoto performance didn’t impress stand-in head coach Morgan Maskell who was unhappy with the performance of his charges.

“Right now we are playing the most casual basketball I have ever seen from a team on this level, we lack any sort of urgency.

“I’m confident we are capable of playing better and doing well at Nationals. However the game is played on the court not on paper so we have to up our game.”

Sounds like there is plenty to work on for Maskell and head coach Angela Perrott-Hunt.

Final score: Rangitoto 73 Avondale 40

Girls Standings after 7 rounds

7-0 Auckland Girls GS

5-2 Westlake Girls HS, Mt Albert GS

4-2 Rangitoto College

2-4 Massey HS, Orewa College

1-4 St Kentigern Coll

1-6 Avondale College

A number of teams were short handed in round 6 of the Auckland Secondary Schools Boys Prem competition due to New Zealand teams attending the Medibank Classic in Melbourne. In contrast Westlake Boys High School welcomed back Isaac Letoa from his trip to Kazakhstan with the NZ 3×3 Under 18 team.

Letoa showed no ill effects from the long trip scoring his team’s first three baskets as they opened up an early 8-2 lead at Rosmini College.

Rosmini replied with baskets from Nathan Curran and Taine Wattie to pull back to 8-6 five minutes in. Turnovers blighted the efforts of both teams in the period shaded by Westlake 16-15.

Reuben Fitzgerald scored three baskets in quick succession for Lake in the opening two minutes of the second period and when a third foul was called on Nathan Curran midway through the period things didn’t look so rosy for the hosts.

However Peter Jenkins stepped up admirably and with Mitchell Dance and Will Heather making triples Rosmini squeezed ahead 29-28

The lead didn’t last long as Letoa made a tough and one play in traffic, he led all scorers at the break with 17 points, Mitchell Dance the beast for Rosmini with a dozen.

Heather and Wattie were the first scores of second half before Letoa made yet another tough play.

The lead changed hands repeatedly in the third before a bench technical called on Westlake allowed Marvin Williams-Dunn a trip to the foul line to put Rozza ahead 48-44 at three-quarter time.

A Wattie triple early in the final period encouraged the raucous Faithful, the volume of support increasing for the home team with every Westlake error.

A neat Curran banked hook pushed the Rozza lead out to 56-49 prompting a Westlake time out with 4:49 left.

The breather worked as Thabo Manyere made back to back baskets; 60-53 to Rozza with 3:30 on the clock.

A Westlake press created a James Moors steal and basket but a Wattie layup kept the hosts ahead 64-56 with less than 2 minutes to play.

Ethan Martin made a neat basket but a Heather put back kept Rosmini ahead 67-58 with 1:15 to play.

Westlake were forced to foul to stop the clock availing Jordan Wilson the opportunity to calmly convert four consecutive free throws to ice the game and inflict on Westlake its first defeat of the season.

Final Score: Rosmini 71 (Dance 17, Wattie 10, Heather 10, Jenkins 8pts/9rebs, Wilson 8) Westlake 63 (Letoa 25pts/9rebs/6assists, Manyere 13/10, Fitzgerald 7)

Dan Fotu top scored for Rangitoto

Mt Albert Grammar School and Rangitoto College, both affected by unavailability of players fought out a close encounter on the north shore.

Michael Gardner scored 12 first quarter points for MAGS in an even first period that finished with Rangitoto 19-18 to the good. Rangi put the defensive clamps on the visitors in the second period and with Dan Fotu making 10 points in the half extended to a 35-26 lead at the main break.

MAGS outscored their hosts 16-13 in the third but couldn’t repeat the dose in the final quarter. Harrison Clarke nailed a three to open the Rangi effort in the fourth and Zac Te Puni made three consecutive baskets as they got the better of the final stanza, but only just, to record a 68-61 victory.

Final Score: Rangitoto 68 (Fotu 20, Zac Te Puni 11, Kaycee Anibueze 10, Harry Clarke 10) MAGS 61 (Gardner 22, John-Afi Stowers 12, Trent Kimiangatau 8, Jonty Vink 7pts/13rebs)

Kelston Boys High School demonstrated its competitiveness this season by pushing Auckland Grammar all the way only to fall to an agonising 80-82 defeat.

The bulk of the Kelston scoring was done by Kale Lawson (25pts), Sam Brooking (19pts) and Linus Jakzst (17pts).

The result of the game between Onehunga High School and Liston College is unknown at the time of posting this news.

All teams play again on Monday June 13 with the clash between Westlake and Auckland Grammar the pick of the fixtures.

Boys Standings after 6 rounds;

5-1 Westlake Boys HS, Rangitoto College

4-2 Auckland Grammar

3-3 Kelston Boys HS, Mt Albert GS, Rosmini College

0-5 Onehunga HS, Liston College