Thompson Trophy Secondary Schools Basketball Finals by Bruce Martin

Photo courtesy Andrew Thomson

 

Middleton Grange school claimed the newly revived McDonald’s Thompson Trophy Secondary schools basketball Division One Grand final when it outpointed Cashmere High school 80-68 in Cowles stadium last Wednesday to remain unbeaten in the competition. This is Middleton’s first Thompson trophy in such competition since 2000 but it did win the Men’s Under 20 championship in 2013.

 

16 teams divided into two divisions participated in the inaugural competition played over two rounds in school gyms on a Tuesday night, playing for the late Ray Thompson trophy.

Middleton Grange, led by Canterbury Ram Sam Timmins with 29 points, 21 rebounds and five assists beat Cashmere High, led by fellow Ram Joe Cook-Green (22 pts, 9R, 7A) but Cashmere came within a point of Middleton in the last Quarter after trailing by 19 points part way through the third quarter. The final scoreline did not reflect the intensity of the game.

 

The Division two final was eventually won by St Thomas College 75-70 over Christ’s College after an incredible 25 lead changes and 8 ties. Will Harrison, son of Canterbury Rams CEO Andrew Harrison, stood out for Christ’s College with 30 points and 11 rebounds.

These teams are among ten schoolboys and eight schoolgirl teams that headed to Dunedin this week for Zone 4 Premierships (Qualifying) which start tomorrow (Wednesday) to qualify for National championships. Six teams of each from the South Island Premierships qualify for the National championships in Palmerston North commencing September 28th.

 

The battle between Timmins and Joe Cook-Green, both former teammates in the Otago Boys’ High National Secondary school champion team last year, was intense. The giant sized Timmins was closely marked by intense Cashmere defence while Cook-Green showed impressive ball control skills as he glided through the Middleton defence with speed and agility. Other players to stand out for Middleton were the elusive and multi-talented Barclay Miller with 21 points and 16 rebounds, Jackson Stent and Sam Lees with 16 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. For Cashmere others to play leading roles were Sam Riley with 15 points and seven rebounds and the speedy Jesse Campbell with 15 points.

 

Results were:

 

Thompson Trophy Division One Final: Middleton Grange 80 (Sam Timmins 29, 21R, 5A, Barclay Millar 21, 16R, Sam Lees 16, 14R, 7A) Cashmere High 68 (Joe Cook-Green 22, 9R, 7A, Jesse Campbell 15, Sam Riley 15, 7R, Connor McLaughlan 12, 7R). HT: 44-30.

 

Division Two final: St Thomas College 75 (Isaac Fowler 20, 15R, Jacob Sue 15, Mahonri Tauiliili-Pau 14) Christs College 70 (Will Harrison 30, 11R, Max de Geest 10). H: 32-32.