New Plymouth Boys played Westlake Boys in the play off for 3^rd and 4^th at the BBNZ Secondary School Nationals in Palmerston North on Saturday. Last time the school was in this position was in 1989 when Coach Dave Bublitz contested the top four spot.

At the end of the first quarter, Boys High were up 18-13 however they failed to take advantage of this position and let Westlake back in the game committing too many mistakes and turnovers. Failure to convert shots into points led to a 5 point quarter and Westlake took the lead 28-23 at half time.

Westlake extended their lead in the third period to 45-34 digging a hole for New Plymouth that proved too deep to get out of. The boys did win the fourth quarter narrowing the lead to 53-57 with 27 seconds to go. Missed free throws combined with the need to put Westlake to the line saw the opportunity for the win slip away. The final score was 59-53 to Westlake.

Westlake Boys 59 (Tai Webster 17) New Plymouth Boys 53 (Lachlan Fenwick 17)