LACEY LOWDOWN

Michael Gardner (No 10) has been in fine form for MAGS this season

There were a couple of one sided affairs in the fifth round of the Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Boys competition on Friday as winless Liston College and Onehunga slipped to 0-5. In other games Mt Albert Grammar won the battle of the two promoted teams and Rosmini College got its season back on track with a win at Auckland Grammar.

A Thabo Manyere transition dunk and penetration from livewire guards Marc Malingin and Josh Hildago helped open up a 12-5 Westlake Boys High School lead before an eye catching drive through traffic from Blessing Matambanadzo (surely the coolest name in Prem basketball) dragged Liston back into the contest.

Baskets either side of the quarter time break from Scott Telfer extended the Westlake lead to 29-12 before a transition basket from Emmanuel Maagdenberg encouraged Liston.

Maagdenberg and Lev Prokefyeu worked tirelessly under the hoop for the visitors but they endured a heavy workload as Westlake continually attacked the offensive boards. Reuben Fitzgerald (10pts) led all scorers at the interval, Westlake in the ascendency 56-24.

Liston opened the second half with a 14-7 run causing Westlake coach Phil Campbell enough concern to call a timeout. Matambanadzo kept the momentum going for Liston with a couple of fast break baskets and when Kim Estonactor converted a high arching jump shot the visitors had logged 20 points in 6 minutes. James Moors restored a semblance of order with a couple of quick baskets, his team 79-46 to the good with 10 minutes to play.

The final quarter was a formality as Westlake, with seven players in double figures, ran out 101-60 winners. Despite the scoreline Liston, to their credit, continued to compete up to the final whistle.

Final Score:

Westlake 101 – Moors 16, Greg Vukets 15, Telfer 12/11rebs, Ethan Martin 12

Liston 60 – E Maagdenberg 15, Matambanadzo 14

Mt Albert Grammar won the battle of the two promoted teams beating Kelston Boys 88-66. Michael Gardner paced the MAGS effort with 28 points (11/21FG) to take his team to their third win of the campaign.

With Jonty Vink dominating the glass (11 rebounds including 5 offensive) MAGS jumped out to an early double figure lead extended to eighteen at half time, 51-33.

Kelston had the better of the third period cutting the deficit to 10 points, 66-56, before MAGS moved clear in the fourth.

Kelston assistant coach Tom Blair was disappointed with his team’s effort “We were flat from the start an gave our worst performance of the season, we didn’t turn up.”

Sam Brooking led his team’s effort with 17 points as they slipped to a second loss of the season.

Final Score:

MAGS 88 – Gardner 28, Luke Fitzpatrick 11, Trent Kimiangatau 11, Mandela Baledrokadroka 10

Kelston 66 – Brooking 17, Linus Jaczst 14, Kale Lawson 13

Rosmini College visited Auckland Grammar with the formbook pointing towards a home team victory but the Rozza boys had other thoughts and came away with a 97-79 win.

Rosmini got on top early with some full court defence that forced numerous turnovers from the home side, to lead 28-20 at the first break with Will Heather claiming 9 points.

AGS bounced back in the second quarter as Tuki Fahrensohn and Rua Winitana became more involved but they still trailed 51-43 at half-time.

Rosmini continued to prosper after the break as a double dose of double doubles from Kruz Perrott-Hunt (11pts/10rebs) and Nathan Curran (13pts/11rebs) extended the advantage.

A spot of chair throwing from frustrated AGS coach Manu Hoque, resulting in a technical foul, didn’t help the home cause. Rosmini guard Mitchell Dance helped himself to 15 points in the last quarter as his team eased to the win.

Final Score:

AGS 79 – Fahrensohn 29, Winitana 26, Connor Flannagan 10

Rosmini 97 – Dance 27, Taine Wattie 17, Heather 15, Curran 13/11, Perrott-Hunt 11/10

Unfortunately Onehunga High School arrived at Rangitoto with just five players and although Rangi rested a number of front line players the score still blew out to a lopsided 129-35 in favour of the home side. J Tufuga managed 24 of Onehunga’s points but it is to be hoped he finds a little more support in future games.

For Rangitoto Harrison Clarke scored 22 points with Logan Anderson (20pts), Zac Te Puni (19pts) and Kaycee Anibueze (18pts) the other main contributors.

Tiarna Clarke gets a jump shot off for the Junior Tall Ferns against USA Select

Westlake Girls High School entertained Massey High School in round 5 of the Auckland Secondary Schools Premier encounter on Friday. Both sides struggled to find the basket in the early stages and it took over 4 minutes before Terina Aratangi slotted home a pair of free throws to give Massey the lead. Chanel Brodeur-Muir opened the Westlake account, her team just ahead 9-5 at quarter time.

A classy drive from Tiarna Clarke opened the second quarter scoring for the home side but a couple of transition baskets from Shauna Povey plus a freebie tied the scores 13-13 at the 4 minute mark in the period. Rosie Davidson and Sia Talafoa led a 10-3 run as Westlake closed the half 23-16 to the good.

Back to back baskets from Davison stretched the Westlake advantage to 29-16 and when Clarke added another bucket Massey coach Sheryl Paalvast called a timeout. Sylvia Wieczorek responded with a basket and a block but three’s from Clarke and Brodeur-Muir helped stretch the Lake advantage to 45-23 at three-quarter time.

A succession of turnovers and errors from both sides marred the start of the final quarter before Jordyn Maddix and Clarke, off a nice Keeley Tini assist, got the scoreboard ticking again.

Emme Shearer went coast to coast as the Westlake lead stretched beyond 40 points before Aratangi and Povey scored consolation points for Massey as they eventually fell 75-27.

Westlake coach Jody Cameron, on international duty preparing the New Zealand Select team for their two games against China over Queens Birthday weekend, will be delighted her team bounced back to winning ways after the loss to Rangitoto College last week.

Final Score;

Westlake 75 – Clarke 21, Davison 13, Brodeur-Muir 11, Piper Manolas 6

Massey 27 – Povey 12, Aratangi 6 Wieczorek 2/10rebs

The only other game played last week resulted in a comprehensive win for Mt Albert Grammar School over Avondale College but unfortunately I don’t know the actual score

Girls Standings after 5 rounds (NB 4 teams have only played 4 games)

4-0 Auckland Girls GS

4-1 Westlake Girls HS

3-1 Rangitoto College,

3-2 Mt Albert GS

2-3 Massey HS, Mt Albert GS

1-3 Orewa College

1-4 Avondale College

0-4 St Kentigern CollegeWestlake

Thabo Manyere

A large vociferous crowd was in attendance for the game of the week in the Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Grade Boys competition as the unbeaten pair of Westlake Boys High School and Rangitoto College went head to head.

Neither side was at full strength as Westlake’s Isaac Letoa and Rangitoto’s Sam Waardenburg are both representing New Zealand at the FIBA 3X3 Under 18 World Championships in Kazakhstan.

Cam Stone opened the scoring for Rangitoto and Dan Fotu glided to the basket for a couple of baskets prompting Westlake coach Phil Campbell to call an early timeout with his team 11-1 down.

A pair of Josh Hidalgo jumpers sparked a Westlake revival but Rangi were in control 23-15 at quarter time.

A Thabo Manyere block excited the visiting fans and when he converted a put back Lake were within five points. He and James Moors continued the Westlake second quarter resurgance but Stone converted three triples in as many minutes as Rangi edged the half 43-39.

A Logan Anderson baseline three followed by a Fotu break away dunk took the Rangi lead out to 57-44 but thereafter Westlake held most of the attacking cards.

A Moors block and fast break drive cut the lead to 62-56 then good work from Reuben Fitzgerald and Luke Day dragged it back to 63-61.

Manyere tied the scores then made the go ahead free throws, 67-65 Westlake in the lead at the third interval.

Point guard Marc Malingin was busy for Westlake as he; Manyere, Moors and Greg Vukets stretched the advantage to 78-71 with 2:10 remaining.

Rangitoto coach Kenny Stone took his growing frustration out on referee Gareth Teahan and was hit with a technical in the closing moments. Moors scored from the subsequent free throws and despite scores from Stone and Zac Te Puni Westlake were able to preserve their unbeaten start to the season as Malingin, Manyere and Moors again, calmly slotted home free throws.

For the second successive year Westlake stole the early season win on Rangitoto’s home court.

Final score;

Rangitoto 80 – Fotu 27, Stone 16, Anderson 9, Te Puni 8

Westlake 89 – Manyere 24/11, Moors 23/9, Fitzgerald 12, Vukets 8

Kelston Boys recovered from an early 11 points deficit to beat Rosmini College 92-89. Rosmini led 22-14 at quarter time and 51-45 at the interval but they were outscored 26-13 in the third period before slipping to their third defeat of the season despite 32 points from Mitchell Dance.

Linus Jakzst

Linus Jakzst paced the Kelston effort with 32 points including 13 in the decisive third quarter.

Final Score;

Rosmini 89 – Dance 32, Taine Wattie 22, Nathan Curran 13pts/16rebs, Will Heather 8pts/8rebs

Kelston 92 – Jakzst 32, Matangi Prescott 15, Liam Milne 13, Kale Lawson 10

Auckland Grammar accounted for Liston College 99-79 and Mt Albert Grammar recorded a second win of the season beating Onehunga HS 98-69.

Boys Standings after 4 rounds;

4-0 Westlake Boys HS

3-1 Rangitoto College, Auckland Boys GS, Kelston Boys HS

2-2 Mt Albert GS

1-3 Rosmini College,

0-4 Onehunga HS, Liston College

In round three of the Auckland Schools Premier Grade Basketball competition on Friday Liston College and Rosmini College, both teams without a win, went head to head.

Taine Wattie opened the scoring after a Will Heather block but an Emmanuel Maagdenberg three and an even longer triple from Leo (sorry about lack of details and spellings on Liston names but scoresheet was incomplete)

A number of turnovers didn’t help the Liston cause as Rosmini sprang to a 27-14 opening quarter lead.

Liston were settling for predominantly three point attempts as they struggled to breach the Nathan Curran led Rosmini interior defence. In contrast Rozza were taking the ball inside at every opportunity quickly stretching out to a 54-24 advantage at the second quarter mid point.

A Sam Bowden baseline drive and dunk and a couple of Ben Turpin jumpers sprang ‘The Faithful’ into voice, their team ahead 60-29 at the break. Mitchell Dance led all scorers with 18 points at the break.

Guards Blessing Matambanzo and Mao-Kim Estonactor gave Liston a straight half dozen points to open the second half, the run 15-3, before a Marvin Williams-Dunn triple steadied the home effort. Liston took the honours in the third winning the period 21-10 as they frequently scored in transition.

The final quarter was a little stop start as both coaches gave extended court time to their bench players.

Final Score;

Rosmini 94 – Dance 19, Turpin 14, Jenkins 13, Curran 7/11rebs.

Liston College 69 – Matambanzo 18, Leo 15, Maagdenberg 13, John Fabian 9

Westlake Boys travelled to Mt Albert Grammar and found themselves under early pressure trailing 31-27 at half-time. The hosts struggled against the Lake defence in the third period managing just 8 points in the quarter to trail 49-39 at the end of the period. MAGS enjoyed plenty of home support in the fourth quarter but it was Westlake that had the final say winning 69-53.

In a game between two unbeaten teams Auckland Grammar entertained Rangitoto College and in a close encounter AGS were defeated 70-59 by the defending champs.

In the final game of the round Kelston Boys had an easy 102-34 win against Onehunga High.

Boys Standings;

3-0 Westlake Boys HS, Rangitoto College

2-1 Auckland Boys GS, Kelston Boys HS

1-2 Rosmini College, Mt Albert GS

0-3 Onehunga HS, Liston College

In the Girls Premier competition Orewa College, for the second week running, were without the inside presence of Junior Tall Ferns forward Kate Diakhaby. Despite that they gained their fair share of rebounds but failed to convert numerous open shots and fell behind 19-10 at quarter time against Massey High.

For their part Massey, anchored in defence by Ashley Tyacke and led at the offensive end by penetrating guard Shauna Povey were able to find the basket with regularity.

A triple from the industrious Hannah Wentworth and a couple ofAlex Still baskets kept the Massey lead within manageable proportions, 33-18 at half-time.

13 year old Ramona Fuaivaa demonstrated some fine passing skills and Harmony-Rangi Brown an eye for the basket as Massey increased their lead to 54-28 at three-quarter time.

Captain Ariana Henare and Wentworth kept the score ticking over for Orewa but a 27 points final quarter blitz carried Massey to a second successive win.

Full Time;

Orewa 38 – Wentworth 13, Still 7, Henare 6, Shevaun Green 6

Massey 80 – Povey 20, Fuaivaa 10, Rangi-Brown 10, Tyacke 10, Terrina Aratangi 10

In something of an upset, certainly in terms of the points differential, Auckland Girls Grammar defeated Rangitoto College 77-57.

Mt Albert GS were beaten 66-45 by Westlake Girls HS and Avondale College beat St Kentigern College 73-59.

Girls Standings;

3-0 Auckland Girls GS, Westlake Girls HS

2-1 Rangitoto College, Massey HS

1-2 Mt Albert GS, Avondale College

0-3 Orewa College, St Kentigern College

There was plenty at stake on Sunday at St Kentigern College as the Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Grade Qualifying Tournament came down to the final four teams – the winner’s of the two semi-final games gaining entry to the elite top eight Premier competition.

The first semi featured Mt Roskill Grammar and Kelston Boys HS, both teams having to warm up in semi darkness as organisers searched for the power switch.

The gloom continued for Roskill in the opening quarter as Kelston forged a 22-12 advantage, guard Sam Brooking making a couple of eye catching baskets.

Play was held up before the start of the second quarter as running repairs were carried out to the floor. The break seemed to help Roskill, as Randy Sjafre, Jordan Tahana and Zarne Lueluaia-Hughes all made threes to help the red and black’s tie the game, 38 apiece at half-time. Linus Jakszt led the Kelston scorers with a dozen points in the half.

Forwards Jakszt and Myles Pinono took control of the boards as Kelston dominated the third period, piling on 29 points, to lead 67-51 at the last break.

Brooking knocked down a triple to open the fourth quarter and when Jakszt repeated the dose Kelston were 20 points to the good and a place in Prem grade almost assured. The teams exchanged baskets in the final minutes, with the result decided, coach Jeff Fahrensohn and his team able to celebrate an unbeaten run through the qualifying tournament.

Final Score;

Kelston 93 – Sam Brooking 25, Linus Jakszt 23, Kale Lawson 13, Myles Pinono 10

Mt Roskill 68 – Zarne Lueluaia-Hughes 26, Randy Sjafre 22, Jordan Tahana 12

Early St Kentigern turnovers forced coach Aaron Young to call two timeouts in the opening seven minutes against unbeaten Mt Albert GS, the mistakes proving costly as MAGS opened a commanding 28-8 first quarter lead.

Joel Vaiangina and Max Shorter attempted to turn the tide for the hosts but the MAGS flow was constant and they led 43-17 at half-time. Michael Gardner was a continuous threat for the visitors constantly finding a route to the basket for scores or assists. He led all scorers at the main break with 15 points.

Vaiangina produced the highlight play of the game with a two handed put back dunk in the third period but even that flash of brilliance was not enough to inspire a St Kent’s comeback, the lead 65-33 at three-quarter time.

Joel Vaiangina gets a jump shot away against St Peter’s  Photo courtesy of Chris Agnew

MAGS boasted greater depth than any of other team in the tournament and this was evident as they had a balanced scoring effort with nine players getting on the scoreboard.

Gardner and the tireless Jack Morrison were outstanding but coach Cartwright would have been pleased with the effort of all his players.

Final score;

Mt Albert 87 – Michael Gardner 12, Jack Morrison 11, Luke Fitzpatrick 11

St Kentigern 43 – Joel Vaiangina 12, Max Shorter 10, Kyle Robb 10

MAGS and Kelston join Rangitoto College, Westlake Boys HS, Liston College, Rosmini College, Onehunga HS and Auckland Boys GS in this season’s Premier competition.

MAGS coach Daryl Cartwright

The Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Grade Qualifying Tournament has come down to the final four, the winner’s of the two semi-final games gaining entry to the elite top eight competition. Those games to be played at St Kentigern College on Sunday morning feature MAGS v St Kentigern College and Kelston Boys HS v Mt Roskill GS.

MAGS were without coach Daryl Cartwright, absent with a bout of food poisoning, but were still composed enough to secure top spot in Pool B. They were pushed all the way by a valiant Pakuranga College before eventually winning 80-63.

Second place in Pool B was decided by an exciting encounter between St Peter’s and St Kentigern College. St Peter’s led by the impressive Finlay Morris shaded the first half 38-33 but a Joel Vaiangina dunk edged St Kent’s ahead 54-53 at three-quarter time. The left handed centre continued to keep the score ticking over in the final quarter as the hosts forged a ten points lead with under five minutes to play. That lead was extended further in the final minutes, St Kent’s booking a semi-final berth with an 80-67 victory.

Kelston Boys High School dominated Pool A and like MAGS finished pool play with a 4-0 record. They were given a scare by Macleans college when the scores were locked 54 apiece early in the third quarter. However Kelston dominated the back end of the game to win 102-85. Later in the day they comfortably accounted for Avondale College 79-50.

Runners-up in Pool 2 was not decided until the final game of the day. The swarming Pakuranga College defence held Mt Roskill to just 8 points in the second period helping them to a 30-25 half-time lead.

Ironically Pakuranga were held to 8 points themselves in a low scoring third period as they hung on to a 38-37 advantage.

It was a single point game with 4 minutes to play but a pair of long threes from Zane Lueluaia-Hughes broke the game open and aided by Randy Sjafrie Roskill pulled off a 65-57 win to earn a semi-final play-off against Kelston on Sunday.

Day 2 Results

Pool A

St Kentigern 100 – Max Shorter 33, Joel Vaiangina 32 Macleans Coll 79 – Blake Van Uden 18, Sairaj Kuvelkar 17

St Peter’s 87 – D’Angelo Niupopo 25, Finlay Morris 20 Avondale Coll 69 – David Gatolai 17, Kennedy Nikolaison 13

Macleans Coll 85 – Blake Van Uden 25, Scott Pu 11, Alex Arthur 11 Kelston 102 – Linus Jakszt 48, Kale Lawson 15

St Kentigern 80 – Joel Vaiangina35, Kyle Robb 13 St Peter’s 67 – Finlay Morris 15, George Boersen 14

Kelston 79 Avondale 50

Pool B

Mt Albert 65 – Michael Gardner 22, Jack Morrison 16 Alfriston Coll 37 – Joel Singsam 18, Jakob Hura 7

Mt Roskill 108 – Randy Sjafrie 45, Zarne Lueluai-Hughes 36 Massey HS 78 – Roy Iro 25, Austin Cameron 24

Mt Albert 80 – Michael Gardner 17, Xjana Luamanuvae 11, John-Afi Stowers-Atafu 11 Pakuranga 63 – Devan Nathan 15, Christian Blanque 13

Alfriston 77 – Joel Singsam 34, D’troit Leef-Hama 13 Massey 74 – Austin Cameron 27, Emmanuel Tusa Fa’alili 15

Pakuranga 57 65 Mt Roskill

Standings after Pool Play

Pool A

4-0 Kelston Boys HS

3-1 St Kentigern Coll

2-2 St Peter’s College

1-3 Macleans Coll

0-4 Avondale Coll

Pool B

4-0 Mt Albert GS

3-1 Mt Roskill GS

2-2 Pakuranga College

1-3 Alfriston Coll

0-4 Massey HS