National AA Secondary Schools Championships – Nelson- Day Two

By Bruce Martin

Burnside High school Boys team was well beaten yesterday at the National AA Secondary Schools Championships being held in Nelson by the awesome Westlake Boys High team 100-55 but coach Jo Hammond took the opportunity to rest his starters, playing very few minutes- maybe 10 or so each. The bench played really well according to stats extraordinaire Sharon Erwood and weren’t at all intimidated but they are much bigger opposition. Westlake were a team of stars, and are likely to go all the way.
Burnside then bounced back strongly in a must-win game last night to defeat Massey College 78-73 and now faces up to bottom seed Onehunga High school to claim a Top eight quarter final, probably the schools highest placings at a School nationals. Burnsides possible opponent in the top eight could be anyone of three teams from pool three with Tauranga Boys, Nayland and Nelson Colleges all tied with two wins and a loss apiece.
Sharon E reports
We were behind at the quarter, a 3pointer to Tom Liu right on half time gave us a 3 pt lead and we were up by 11 at three quarter time. The game never felt safe until two triples by Nick (Erwood) in his favourite corner gave us a 16 point lead with 3 minutes to go and forced a time out by the other team. Our guys suddenly came to life and went to the break feeling confident of the win. That feeling was short lived when Massey went on a 9-0 run, forcing Joe (Hammond) to call a time out to settle the boys and remind them there was still 2 minutes to go and we were only up by 7. We traded baskets, we would foul, they would make them both, they fouled us we would make 1.
We were out rebounded 68-46. Shooting stats were pretty even, so it came down to the 12 extra turnovers they gave up. Our defensive pressure forced turnovers when it mattered.
Let’s hope we have Hayden (Murphy) or Oliver (Fairbrother) back for the game against Onehunga

In Pool three Cashmere High Boys had a mixed day, edging out Lynfield College 60-58 only to be beaten by old rival Nelson College 70-61. Cashmere will need to beat Nayland College first up in the morning and St Kentigern College later in the day to make the middle eight cross-overs.
Aranui High boys continued to struggle in the toughest pool beaten by Melville HS 85-73 and then Auckland Grammar School 84-67. It plays co-leader St Patricks College in the morning then a bottom-of-the-pool clash with Otago Boys High in the late game.
Christchurch Girls High recorded a win and a loss on Day two, surprisingly losing to Wellington Girls College 53-45 but bounced back to down Tauranga Girls College 59-45 later in the afternoon. Girl’s High face an easier opponent 21st seed Wanganui High school and then must beat the unbeaten Fraser High in the evening to make the coveted Top 8 quarter-finals on Thursday.
Rangiora High ladies under coach Clinton has a proud record having qualified for the Nationals for a record seventh year in a row and after two wins on day one beat Hawera High School 72-62 yesterday in a very tight affair. They held the lead throughout the game but could never shake clear, Hawera constantly kept the score within 5 until the last 3-4 minutes. A high quality and intense game. Alex Svoboda top scored with 20 points despite spending the night with a nasty tummy bug and was ably supported by Mary Goulding who had 17 points and 8 rebounds. Tyler Courtney, Jenna Heap and Marnie Block all had great games - scoring crucial baskets in the second half and playing outstanding defense. Rangiora plays lowly seeded Auckland Grammar at 8.30am Wednesday morning - the winner goes into the quarter finals and the loser into the middle 8 bracket but still has to play 3rd seed Rangitoto College which also has had three wins. Rangiora’s likely opponent in the top eight could be either Westlake Girls High or New Plymouth Girls High with Westlake edging out New Plymouth last night 74-65.
Cashmere High ladies continued their efforts with a strong 70-53 win over Kristin School yesterday afternoon and was to meet Kavanagh College in the late game last evening. If they win that then they must topple 9th seed Westlake Girls High on Wednesday for a place in the top eight.

Results from Day 2 Tuesday 2nd October
Boys Pool Play
Pool 1: Westlake Boys HS 100 Burnside HS 55, Burnside HS 78 (Oli Davies 24, Nick Erwood 22, 14R, Jahnim Campbell 15, Tom liu 13) Massey HS 73 (Caleb Vauter 29).
Pool 3: Cashmere HS 60 Lynfield College 58, Nelson College 70 Cashmere HS 61.
Pool 4: Melville HS 85 Aranui HS 73, Auckland Grammar School 84 Aranui HS 67.

Girls Pool Play
Pool 1: Cashmere HS 70 Kristin School 53, Cashmere HS Kavanagh College .
Pool 2: Hamilton Girls HS 79 Buller HS 31, Buller HS 47 Marlborough Girls College 44.
Pool 3: Rangiora HS 75 Hawera HS 63.
Pool 4: Wellington Girls Coll 53 Christchurch Girls HS 45, Christchurch Girls HS 59 Tauranga Girls Coll 45.