Mixed results on Day 2 for the New Plymouth teams competing at the BBNZ Secondary School Nationals Tournament at Palmerston North today .

The boys came up against Hutt Valley High School who were placed second in Zone 3 at the recent Premiership tournament held in Porirua. Boys High were placed 4^th.

(Pictured left: NPGHS Ashleigh Crowley secures the ball against Buller High on Day 2 of the BBNZ Secondary School Nationals)

The game could have gone either way particularly towards the third period when BHS found themselves down by 12. The tide turned slowly in the fourth quarter and the game was all squared up at the end of regular time. During the 5 minute overtime period, BHS held their nerve and built a seven point lead with 5 seconds to go. A final heave at the hoop by Hutt Valley from their own free throw line swished and for a moment there was confusion as Hutt Valley stole the inbounds ball and scored a lay up.

The buffer was enough though and an in-bound from the base by BHS saw the clock wind down and the 86-84 win went in the record books.

New Plymouth Boys 86 (Lachlan Fenwick & Jonathan Faapoi 26) Hutt Valley 84 (Jackson Stubbins 25, Nico Buckrell 23)

GHS came up against a determined Buller High School who went out to an early 10 point led. Chasing the lead is always a challenge and the girls needed to convert their lay ups and two foot jumpers to give themselves a chance. Finding themselves down by 9 at half time New Plymouth dug deep but Buller held their nerve wrapping up the game 48-36 at the buzzer.

Buller 48 (Charlotte Elley 22, Ellie Ngatai 12) New Plymouth Girls 36 (Greer Patterson 8, Holly Dallinger 4)

Late in the afternoon, BHS came up against Christchurch Boys, the only other team in their pool without a loss. Neck and neck during the first period, BHS built a five point lead at half time and an eight point lead at the end of the third quarter. Christchuch rallied back in the final quarter but a decisive run away dunk from Lewis Ormond follow by a three from Derek Albertsen put the nail in the coffin. The Boys took the game 70-57.

The Girls met Hutt Valley High School who were coming off two wins. They got away to a great early start building a small margin but the Valley Girls chipped away at this lead going into the second half with a seven point lead. Hutt Valley didn't let the New Plymouth back into the game in the end came away with the win 71-40

Hutt Valley 71 (Stella Beck 22, Milomilo Nanai 19) New Plymouth Girls 40 (Ashleigh Crowley 18, Theresa Hunt 9)

New Plymouth Boys 70 (Derek Albertsen 19, Alex Bartley Catt 12) Christchurch Boys 57 (Zacc Dwan 16, Nathan Campbell 11)