LACEY LOWDOWN

The Senior A Boys Grand Final will feature Macleans College and Liston College, the top two finishers in the regular season, next Friday at NSEC.

Macleans are one win away from an automatic return to the Premier competition after winning a high scoring semi-final against Massey High 108-94.

Michael Babaran and Sai Kuvelkar were outstanding for Macleans amassing 43 points and 30 points respectively.

A high octane opening quarter saw Macleans out to a 40-27 lead and despite the best efforts of Cullen Tamihana (26 points) Massey were unable to overhaul the deficit.

Tamihana scored ten points in the second as the Macleans lead was trimmed to 62-55 at the interval.

Harry Smith posted nine third quarter points for Macleans, eight straight points from Tamihana keeping Massey in the hunt at 84-73.

A couple of threes from Babaran plus scores from Tyson Kempton and Smith stretched the Macleans lead to 101-83.

Robert Matakatea, Lueki Fusitua and Maxwell Hinton responded with one last effort for Massey but it wasn’t enough to unsettle Macleans.

Macleans College 108 – M Babaran 43, S Kuvelkar 30, H Smith 17, T Kempton 11

Massey High 94 – C Tamihana 26, R Matakatea 14, L Fusitua 10, B Leslie 9, C Taulapiu 9

The Liston College versus Northcote College semi-final was a contest full of momentum swings with the outcome only decided in the final two minutes.

With six minutes to play the scores were locked at 72 points apiece. An 8-0 Liston run via scores from Shawn Hickey, Kiani Saxon and Edward Maagdenburg tilted the contest in their favour.

However a Reihana Miller-Tohu triple and further counter punches from Ollie Hayward dragged Northcote to within a point (80-79) with two minutes on the clock.

The final swing went in favour of Liston as Maagdenburg, Lev Prokov and John Fabian helped them reel off an 11-0 finish to seal the win in an entertaining game.

Earlier Northcote had made the more encouraging start a trio of threes from Calvin Webster gave them a 21-16 first quarter lead.

Prokov and Saxon responded with half a dozen points apiece in the second as the two teams went to the break with the scores level at thirty-six points apiece.

Northcote shaded the third (26-23) as Sebastian Vivian, Miller-Tohu and Miggy Falqueza all made triples.

More threes from Miller-Tohu and Webster pleased the local supporters but Saxon and Maagdenburg steadied the Liston ship ahead of the final successful surge.

Liston College 91 – L Prokov 20, E Maagdenburg 18, K Saxon 18, J Fabian 11

Northcote College 79 – R Miller-Tohu 22, C Webster 21, O Hayward 15, M Falqueza 12

Epsom Girls Grammar and Botany Downs College, after finishing first and second on the ladder in the regular season will face each other in the Senior A Grand Final on Friday.

Epsom defeated Birkenhead College and Botany beat Mt Roskill Grammar in the semi-finals.

The Herewini sisters Sophia (24 points), Ngapipi (20 points) and Tiana (11 points) took care of business for Botany.

The trio scored all of the Botany points as they jumped out to an early 24-6 lead against Mt Roskill and steadily built on that early advantage to lead 35-10 at half-time.

Akaysha Cordtz and Aquilla Toala made early scores in the third for Mt Roskill but ten points in the period from Sophia Herewini kept Botany ahead 61-28.

Jasmine Paul scored eight fourth quarter points for Roskill but Botany were always in control and recorded a convincing win.

Botany Downs 65 – Sophia H 24, Ngapipi H 20, Tiana H 11

Mt Roskill 47 – J Paul 10, M Malu 7, R Toala 7, A Toala 6

Birkenhead made a good start against undefeated Epsom Girls leading 15-12 after the first quarter – Rashaan Smith (24 points) with nine of those points.

Epsom quickly hauled in the deficit as they dominated the second quarter. Florence Dallow (24 points) made ten points in the period but Epsom enjoyed scoring contributions across the board as they led 35-25 at half-time.

Smith, Marta Bolognini and Eleanor Mahutangi ensured the Epsom lead didn’t become unmanageable, Birkenhead still in the contest at the last break trailing 49-40.

The same trio of players scored all of Birkenhead’s fifteen points in the last quarter but Dallow, Akita Papara-Welch, Sarah-Joy Aruwa and Aria Todd-Pemeric ensured there would be no upset.

Epsom head to the final with a perfect 15-0 record.

Epsom 67 – F Dallow 24, S Aruwa 8, A Papara-Welch 8, A Todd-Pemeric 7

Birkenhead 55 – R Smith 24, M Bolognini 14, E Mahutangi 11

The Steven Adams High School Invitational Games were played at Central Energy Trust Arena on Sunday.

The two games, featuring twenty of the best male and female highs school players in the country, produced plenty of action for the decent sized crowd in attendance and those watching live courtesy of Maori TV.

In the Girls game Team White dominated the second half to come from 44-33 down at the interval to beat Team Black 71-61.

Triples from Tayla Dalton, Tessa Talo-Tomokino and Rosalia Samia helped turn the tide in the third quarter and an important five points late in the fourth from Sofia Kennedy sealed the deal.

Dalton had a stats stuffing 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals and 3 blocks in an all-action display. Forwards Charlotte Whittaker, who led all scorers with 15 points and added 7 rebounds, and Jazz Kailahi-Fulu (12 points and 6 rebounds) also impressed. Shauna Povey (10 points)  also made a double figures contribution for Team White.

Team Black looked as if they might run away with the game in the second quarter when Sharne Pupuke-Robati (7 points and 7 rebounds), Mele Latu (13 points), Grace Hunter (13 points, 4 assists and 5 steals) and Olivia O’Neill all made triples. However, despite 10 points from Emme Shearer their scoring dried up in the second half and White took advantage outscoring their opponents 38-17 in the half.

Girls Team White

Tayla Dalton (Carmel College), Rochelle Fourie (Manukura), Jazzmyne Kailahi-Fulu (St Marys College), Sofia Kennedy (Middleton Grange), Jada Manase (Mt Albert Grammar), Shauna Povey (Massey High), Rosalia Samia (Napier Girls High), Charlotte Whittaker (St Andrews, Christchurch), Tessa Talo-Tomokino (Mt Albert Grammar), Riva Walker-Pitman (Hamilton Girls)

Girls Team Black

Grace Hunter (Queen Margaret College), Mele Latu (Auckland Girls Grammar), Koha Lewis (Hamilton Girls), Olivia O’Neill (St Hildas), Sharne Pupuke-Robati (Mt Albert Grammar), Emme Shearer (Westlake Girls), Rashaan Smith (Birkenhead College), Te Araroa Sopoanga (Queen Margaret College), Kaya Walker (Palmerston North Girls High)

In the Boys game Team Black found themselves 78-72 down inside the last two minutes against Team White but snatched a late win with Anzac Rissetto (14 points) making a three with just 8 seconds left on the game clock. White turned the ball over on the ensuing possession allowing Black to steal a 79-78 win.

Robert Coman (12 points) and Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (7 points) got White off to a 24-13 start before the game’s top scorer Mitch Dance (22 points) reeled off three triples – Shalom Broughton (11 points) edged Black ahead at the interval 38-36.

Sam Mennenga (18 points) demonstrated his versatility with 11 straight points for White to give his team a 61-52 three-quarter lead.

Kruz Perrott-Hunt (17 points) and Finn McClure threes kept White in the ascendancy until those dying seconds.

Taine Murray (12 points) dragged Black to within three with 70 seconds to play and a Dance free throw reduced the arrears to two on the next Black offence.

Then it was over to Rissetto to bring an interesting couple of games to a fitting conclusion.

Boys Team Black

Shalom Broughton (St Kentigern College), Mitchell Dance (Rosmini College), Kainoa Lepou (Rosmini College), Jake McKinlay (Palmerston North Boys High), Taine Murray (Rosmini College), Anzac Rissetto (Auckland Grammar), Max Shorter (St Kentigern College), Ezrah Vaigafa (Rongotai College), Thomas Whyte (Auckland Grammar),

Marvin Williams-Dunn (Rosmini College)

Boys Team White

Jayden Boucher (Rosmini College), Robert Coman (Kings College), William Henry (Mount College), Finn McClure (Rongotai College), Sam Mennenga (Westlake Boys), Kruz Perrott-Hunt (Rosmini College), Klein Salmon (Rongotai College), Mac Stodart (James Hargest College), Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (St Patrick’s, Wellington), Jaylin Trego-To’o (Rongotai College)

After a couple of excellent Premier Girls semi-finals at NSEC it is traditional rivals Auckland Girls Grammar and Mt Albert Grammar that will match up in the Grand Final next Friday.

Mt Albert led all the way against Westlake Girls to win 76-59 but AGGS were tested to the end by Rangitoto College before winning 79-77.

 A terrific semi-final between Auckland Girls Grammar and Rangitoto College went down to the wire before the regular season champions, paced by Elianna Tuaiti (26 points) and Heeni Blakey (22 points), prevailed 79-77.

Rangitoto, very well served by Hannah Wentworth (22 points) and Aroha Rogers (25 points), made the slightly better start leading 21-18 at quarter time.

Blakey stepped up the scoring in the second quarter – she had a dozen points in the period, including a couple of threes, as AGGS led 41-31 at half-time.

Rangitoto made the better start to the second half, Wentworth and Rogers making a pair of threes apiece, to give Rangi a 48-44 lead. Bella Elgar chipped in with a trey but the defending champions finished the quarter strongly through Laetitia and Elianna Tuaiti to lead 60-54 with ten minutes to play.

Mele Latu scored inside with finesse to push AGGS out to a double figure lead, Tyla Tuala making it 73-62 with 3 minutes to play.

Rangi were not finished as Wentworth and Gracie Hasler-Ewins cut the deficit to three points (75-72) with thirty seconds to play.

The composed E Tuaiti made an important free throw but Aroha Rogers made her seventh three of the game to keep the AGGS fans on edge.

Tuala converted one of two free throws and that was just enough to maintain the AGGS lead and a fifteenth straight win.

AGGS 77– E Tuaiti 26, H Blakey 22, M Latu 11, T Tuala 9

Rangitoto 75– A Rogers 25, H Wentworth 22, I Elgar 9, M Spooner 6

It was third time lucky for Mt Albert Grammar School. Having lost both regular season games to Westlake Girls they won their semi-final encounter 76-59 with Sharne Pupuke-Robati powering her way to a game high 32 points.

It was one way traffic early on as MAGS established a commanding 24-8 lead in the opening ten minutes – Pupuke-Robati quickly into double figures, Jada Manase not far behind with seven.

Emme Shearer, on her way to a season best 27 points, scored a dozen in the second stanza but Tessa Talo-Tomokino and Pupuke-Robati took MAGS to a 41-24 half-time lead.

The scoring slowed in the third period. The two teams split 22 points – a Shearer triple taking her tally into the twenties.

Moanekah Va’ai took the MAGS lead to twenty (63-43) but just when it looked as if the Lions would saunter to victory Westlake made a run.

Jess Moors led the revival with six straight points and aided by scores from Piper Manolas, Mareta Davidson and Shearer the deficit was down to ten points.

A triple from Manase plus scores from Raykesha Fiatau and Pupuke-Robati snuffed out the Westlake revival to set up a repeat of the 2017 final.

Westlake 59– E Shearer 27, J Moors 10, M Davidson 8, P Manolas 8

Mt Albert Grammar 76– S Pupuke-Robati 32, T Talo-Tomokino 14, J Manase 12, R Fiatau 9, M Va’ai 8

Photo courtesy of Anna Arrol

Mt Albert Grammar and Rosmini College have booked their Auckland Schools Premier Grade Grand Final places for next Friday but the two came through their semi-finals in vastly contrasting styles.

Rosmini secured a relatively comfortable 94-57 victory against Auckland Grammar whereas Mt Albert had to come from 19 points down to pip St Kentigern 68-66.

St Kentigern looked to be headed for their debut appearance in the Grand Final when they led 64-48 at three-quarter time but unfortunately endured a nightmare final quarter managing just two points against the fast finishing regular season champions.

Point guard Sataan Tawera (23 points) initiated the comeback with a long three and when Ryan Laumatia dropped back to back jump shots, to cut the deficit to eight points (64-56), the travelling Lions supporters were starting to find their voices.

Shalom Broughton (23 points) converted a free throw and added an acrobatic block to the highlights reel but Rishon Royce and Tawera ate more into the deficit (65-62).

St Kent’s were looking anxious and although Max Shorter made a freebie MAGS were within two (66-64) when Nate Wilson scored with 1:20 to play.

St Kent’s anxiety heightened when Clarke Aiono tied proceedings, the MAGS comeback complete when Royce calmly stroked a pair of free throws with 13 seconds left on the clock.

St Kent’s launched one last vain effort to regain the lead, the final buzzer leaving the MAGS players and supporters in raptures, their opponents utterly dejected.

Earlier at had all been going well for St Kent’s as they built a handy 21-18 first quarter lead and an even more promising 44-33 half-time advantage with Broughton and Shorter doing most the damage.

Aiono scored a couple of much needed baskets for MAGS but when Levic Kerr and Alex McNaught scored consecutive buckets things were not looking too good for the Lions trailing 60-41.

Tawera and Dorcil gave MAGS a lift shortly before the three-quarter break – what happened after the restart was scarcely believable.

Mt Albert Grammar 68– S Tawera 23, R Laumatia 12, C Aiono10, R Royce 9

St Kentigern College 66– S Broughton 23, L Kerr 15, M Shorter 14, A McNaught 7

Ilaisa Tela scored a couple of early baskets for Auckland Grammar before scores late in the first from Joe Hylton and Terrence Abdon gave Rosmini a 21-8 early lead.

Teacum McCarthy, who had a fine game, and Isara Nua helped close the gap to single digits but when the influential Anzac Rissetto departed after picking up a third foul the complexion of the game changed.

With Rissetto not patrolling the paint Mitch Dance, Marvin Williams-Dunn and Jayden Boucher pounced to take Rosmini out to a 50-27 half-time lead.

Rissetto demonstrated his versatility with a triple to open the third frame and along with McCarthy and Nua the trio kept pace with Rosmini early in the third.

However Rozza moved into ‘Kruz’ control later in the period. Tall Blacks trialist Kruz Perrott-Hunt capped off a ten points quarter with a classy drive and finish to take his team out to a 71-43 lead at three-quarter time.

Perrott-Hunt with a dish for a Tom Seuren basket and a couple more triples from Williams-Dunn – he had six on the night – extended the Rosmini lead. Thomas Morgan and Sean Murphy applied the finishing touches to a convincing win.

Auckland Grammar 59– A Rissetto 22, T McCarthy 16, I Nua 11, I Tela 10

Rosmini94 – K Perrott-Hunt 22, Williams-Dunn 20, T Morgan 8, M Dance 8

Number five ranked Rangiora High School shocked the #2 Middleton Grange Gators 86-68 in the Thomson Trophy Division One Playoffs, with a superb performance on both ends of the court in front of numerous onlookers.

A 9-0 run that was capped off by a Jack Exter three (38 points) turned a half time lead for the Gators into a lead that Rangiora would hold on to the rest of the game. Middleton Grange turned to a press in the final quarter and closed the gap to five points, but eventually let the visitors pull away. Middleton Grange had ten double-figure scorers in the game (Ben Carlile-Smith 15; Jimmy Williamson 14; Jonte Britten 12; Jarred Burnett 10; Trey Te Awa 10), but allowed Lachie MacFarlane to get 21 in the win to couple with Exeter’s big game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPRsQw8z-OI

Noa Price contributed 12 points, as well as being a massive defensive presence blocking shots, and had a tremendous highlight play (above).

After Cashmere Boys defeated St. Andrew’s 92-60, an elimination game between Christchurch Boys’ and the Shirley Boys’ High Spartans took place on Wednesday night -the winner gaining the right to host Rangiora, the loser’s season being over. Both teams had almost identical stats – their biggest lead being nine-points each, and largest scoring run being seven. But in the end CBHS escaped with a one-point 67-66 win after a dump off pass from Fletcher Arnold (11p, 7a) inside the final two seconds found Kurt Feneon at the rim (20p, 22r).

Jackson Pauling had 12 off the bench, and Nick Aucutt 11 for CBHS. For the Spartans Joel Jeffrey had 17p 15r, Noah Westwood had 14 points, and Josh Thomson added 10p 9r. Thanks to the NZ Broadcasting School you can watch the entire game here (#MaccasTT game start at 100 minute mark):

https://www.facebook.com/ThomsonAndWhelanTrophies/videos/225596708125021/?t=0

In the Whelan Trophy Competition St. Andrew’s wrapped up the #1 seeding after beating Kaiapoi 68-60, and will host both of the Division One semi-finals.

Christchurch Girls’ looked to have their game wrapped up with 7:30 remaining, and a 54-40 lead over Rangi Ruru. This is when the wheels fell off, as an 18-0 run for Lori McDaniel’s team saw them leave with a thrilling four-point victory. Sammy Arnold (15p 9r 6s) and Courtney Godinet (10p 8r) were ourstanding for CGHS, while Ashlee Strawbridge (19p 14r 5s) and Millie Knight (10p 12r) stood out for their opponents. This game was also streamed (at the link above).

Middleton Grange couldn’t quite shake off Ashburton until the final stages of their game, but had an 11-2 run which helped them build an insurmountable lead on the way to winning 65-56. Sophie Adams was excellent for the visitors with 23p, while Sofia Kennedy (18p), Sydney Murphy (12p) and Annabel Lapworth (12p) all helped the Gators to a win.

In Division Two of the Whelan Trophy Competition, Lincoln High lead for nearly the entire game against St. Margaret’s, but needed a Sophie Daly bucket to force overtime. Emily Evans scored the final four points in OT for St. Margaret’s (13p) as they left the Selwyn District with an 85-81 win. Kate Herman (35p) again stood out for Lincoln, with Samantha McCrone adding 21p. Eniselina Pale (25p), Madison Eder (19p), Alex Cooper (11p) and Liyah Faga-Ieti (11p) joined Evans in double figures for St. Margaret’s, who will next travel to #2 Ellesmere, while Lincoln will face off against #1 Avonside.

The #1 Avonside Lady Eagles had an easier go this time around against #6 Villa Maria, with Molly Cockburn (31p) helping lead them to a 82-58 win. Megan Shannon (17p) and Jennifer Kee (10p) also featured for Avonside. Georgia Knowles (16p) was joined by Molly Grafton (11p), Isabella Brunel (11p) and Casey Robinson (10p) in the scoring column for Kenny Perkins’ team.

All four #MaccasTT Division two semi-finalist’s won their games, and Ashburton and St. Thomas the right’s to home-court advantage before Finals’ Night, with the Papanui and Cathedral teams travelling.

From James Lissaman

Macca’s Week Eleven Results

Thomson Division Two

Papanui 75-60 Rangiora New Life

Linwood 110-72 Ellesmere

Ashburton 112-91 Kaiapoi

St. Thomas 84-64 Riccarton

Cathedral 82-64 Lincoln

Thomson Division One

Cashmere 92-60 St. Andrew’s

Rangiora 86-68 Middleton Grange

Christ’s 73-68 Burnside

St. Bede’s 88-82 Hillmorton

Christchurch Boys’ 67-66 Shirley Boys’

Whelan Division Two

St. Margaret’s 85-81 Lincoln (Overtime)

Avonside 82-58 Villa Maria

Marian 79-57 Papanui

Ellesmere 87-45 Hillmorton

Burnside 74-52 Te Pā

Whelan Division One

St. Andrew’s 68-60 Kaiapoi

Middleton Grange 65-56 Ashburton

Rangiora 64-34 Cashmere

Rangi Ruru 58-54 Christchurch Girls

 Upcoming Playoff Games – all Tuesday 21 August

Whelan Division II

4:45pm #3 St. Margaret’s @ #2 Ellesmere

5:15pm #4 Lincoln @ #1 Avonside

Whelan Division I

5:15pm #3 Christchurch Girls’ vs #2 Rangi Ruru (hosted at St. Andrew’s)

7:00pm #4 Kaiapoi @ #1 St. Andrew’s

Thomson Division II

5:15pm #3 Papanui @ #2 St. Thomas

6:00pm #4 Cathedral @ #1 Ashburton (at the EA Networks Centre)

Thomson Division I

6:00pm #3 Rangiora @ #2 Christchurch Boys’

7:00pm #4 Middleton Grange @ #1 Cashmere

Shalom Broughton (14) in action for NZ U17 recently

St Kentigern College have clinched fourth pace on the Auckland Secondary Schools Boys Premier competition ladder after winning 96-75 at Avondale College on Wednesday.

The win means St Kent’s (7-7) edge Westlake Boys (6-8) out of play-off contention, a semi-final match up with regular season champions Mt Albert Grammar their reward.

The result also means that Avondale, despite having won two of their final four games, finish the season with the wooden spoon.

The game was still in the balance at three-quarter time with Avondale, after a strong third period, only 62-58 down.

However Zac Chan made three of his five triples in the fourth and the impressive Max Shorter (37 points) scored 11. With Shalom Broughton and Tom Chester combining for ten points St Kent’s dominated the final term (34-17) to book their first semi-final appearance since 2011.

Earlier, despite nine first quarter points from Jaga Mete, Avondale trailed 21-17 at the first break.

Armand Donaldson, Bradley McGregor, Keanu Eteru and Preston Karatau each made threes for Avondale in the second period but Levic Kerr, Broughton and Shorter piled on the points to give St Kent’s a 46-39 half-time lead.

Chan and Shorter were the only scorers for the visitors in the third as Jason Cullen and Michael Reddy helped Avondale close to within four points.

However St Kentigern held their nerve in the final period to seal their seventh win of the season and a trip to North Shore Events Centre on Friday night.

Avondale 75 – J Mete 16, A Donaldson 16, K Eteru 14, J Childs 6, P Karatau 6

St Kentigern 96 – M Shorter 37, S Broughton 24, Z Chan 18, L Kerr 15, T Chester 6

Final Standings

13-1 Mt Albert

13-1 Rosmini

8-6 Auckland Grammar

7-7 St Kentigern

6-8 Westlake

4-10 Rangitoto

3-11 St Peter’s

2-12 Avondale