GRAND FINALS DAY 2015 report by Bruce Martin with stats assistance from Sharon Erwood and several other reports.

Make sure to come along and see winners and Fianls MVPs get recognized at our annual awards Thursday night. Tickets are only $10 and can be reserved by contacting competitions@canterburybasketball.co.nz See the attached PDF for more information on our Awards Night.

 

Men’s Premier Grand Final: Wolverines 73 Atami 70

Wolverines won the Robert C Curtis Cup for the first time when it ousted the longterm champion Atami 73-70 in another action packed Men’s Premier club basketball championship Grand Final played in Cowles Stadium on Saturday.

There were 14 Grand finals starting off with the Junior All Stars in a day of non-stop action which will ensure the development of future Canterbury Rams and Wildcats for the continuance of Canterbury basketball.

It was Atami’s 14^th appearance in 15 Grand Finals since 2001 and they went precariously close to making it nine times champion since its first title in 1992 under Atami’s founder Clyde the glide Huntley. Scott Howell was playing his 20^th season in Premier grade basketball and along with brother Ritchie has organised the club most of this decade. Atami last meet Wolverines in a Grand final in 2009, won by Atami, and were the sentimental favourites but the Hoben trophy winners Wolverines under master coach Jamie Graham had other aspirations.

The lead changed hands three times in the opening quarter with Kieran Ball (11 pts, 6 rebounds), Mike Kinley (19, 8 rebounds) and Lionel Hopgood (18, 14 rebounds) taking Wolverines to a 22-19 lead at the first break. Rusty Thomson (17, 14 rebounds), Josh Petermann (21, 6 assists) and Ritchie Howell (21, 6 rebounds) combined talents saw Atami pull ahead 42-37 at the half-time turnaround.

The teams traded baskets for most of the third quarter, Atami stretched the lead to 53-43 until Wolverines coach Graham risked the re-introduction of Keiran Ball who had been rested on three fouls. It immediately brought success with Ball hitting a three point long range bomb to close the gap to 53-56 at the final break. Kinley and Alex Irvine also landed triple pointers immediately after the break to put Wolverines ahead 59-56. Thomson, Howell and Petermann closed the game up for Atami on numerous occasions, trailing 63-64 four minutes out. Finals MVP Hopgood made a basket and free throw to put Wolverines ahead one minute to go but the gritty Petermann drew numerous fouls in the last minute to close Atami to 70-71 down. Shou Nisbet sealed the game for Wolverines with two free throws in the last 10 seconds, after stealing an errant Atami pass.Wolverines made better use of their second chance efforts with 22-4 and points off the bench players 17-6 and shot a little more accurately with 25-64 (39%).

Results were:

MENS PREMIER Grade Championship Grand-Final:

Wolverines 73 (Mike Kinley 19, 8R, Lionel Hopgood 18, 14R, Kieran Ball 11, 6R) Atami 70 (Ritchie Howell 21, 6R, Josh Petermamm 21, 6A, Rusty Thomson 17, 14R, 4A). HT: Atami 42-37. MVP: Lionel Hopgood.

 

Women’s Premier Grand Final: University Canterbury 69 North Canterbury 54

University of Canterbury captured the Women’s Premier championship when it comfortably beat new entrant North Canterbury 69-54 in the Grand final. It was to be University’s eighth title out of 10 Grand finals since 2006, having lost in 2009 to Wolverines and last year to Lincoln University.

North Canterbury led both the Patron’s trophy and championship round robins beating University on both occasions but University turned its game around to hound North Canterbury in the Patron’s trophy final 81-68. North Canterbury had four key players missing with top playmaker Mary Goulding on a scholarship in USA and Gemma Hazeldine playing sport in Europe. Long serving Canterbury Wildcat Pip Connell led a youthful University with a gritty 18 points and 10 rebounds to take her team to a 14-11 first-quarter lead while teenager Jenna Heap got among the baskets for North Canterbury. Finals MVP American Darcy Rose (16 points, nine rebounds and four assists) stepped up the pressure for University as the students went ahead 31-21 at the turn around. Hayley Gray led her North Canterbury team by example but the pressure from the students defence saw her only land 6-20 in her 13 points.

Ashlee Rigter continued to use her height scoring 11 points and nine rebounds as University led 50-33 at the last break. Rangiora high’s Tyler Courtney (10, 8 rebounds and 4 assists) and Rosie O’Shea (11 pts) never gave up for North Canterbury.

Results were:

WOMEN’S PREMIER Grade Championship Grand Final:

University 69 (Pip Connell 18, 10R, Darcy Rose 16, 9R, 4A) North Canterbury 54 (Hayley Gray 13, Rosie O’Shea 11, Tyler Courtney 10, 8R, 4A). HT: 31-21. MVP: Darcy Rose.

 

Men’s Under 23: Lincoln University Bulls 81 Wolverines 63

Credit to Sharon Erwood for assistance with this report.

Lincoln University Bulls went through the 2015 basketball season again unbeaten as it did in 2014, its last loss was in the 2013 Grand final when it was defeated by Gators after finishing third in the Top four section that year.

The Bulls closest encounter this season was in the semi finals where it beat Gators Green 83-75 while on Saturday it cruised past Wolverines in this season’s Grand final 81-63.

While Aled Jones led and set up the Lincolns moves other scholarship holders to impress were James Cawthorn (17, 9R, 7A),  Nick Erwood (13, 11R)and this year’s MVP Ben Bowie (17, 12R)while next seasons new recruit Ben (BJ) Williams started several months back, slotting 19 points on Saturday.

Seven different players scored for the Bulls in a strong opening first quarter taking a 24-11 lead at the break and continued to maintain the pressure outscoring the Wolves with 18-4 second chance points after landing only 21-68 (31%) field goals. Wolverines lifted their game shooting 29-71, a strong 41% and were also slightly ahead 30-25 in points from its bench players. Lincoln went to the half-time break ahead 44-24, the pace of the game slowed in the third period with the Bulls going to the final break ahead 63-41, its biggest lead of the encounter.

Overall Lincoln had too many options and got the Wolves’ bigs got into foul trouble early on. Wolves best player was Amosa Faitaua-Nanaibut once Lincoln got a 20 point lead the game was never in doubt.

Results were:

Lincoln University Bulls 81 (Ben Williams 19, Ben Bowie 17, 12R, James Cawthorn 17, 9R, 7A, Nick Erwood 13, 11R) Wolverines 63 (Amosa Faitaua-Nanai 12). HT: 44-24: MVP: Ben Bowie.

 

Men’s Under 20 Grand Final: Burnside HS 82 University of Canterbury 71

Burnside High school wrapped up its third Men’s Under 20 title in four seasons but withstood a strong challenge from UC winning 82-71. University consisted of a number of current and past Christchurch Boys high player with Jack Ansell a considerable threat, scoring 33 points and 11 rebounds. Finals MVP Toby Gillooly with 24 points and nine rebounds was Burnside’s most dominating player and received top support from Kyle Louis (20) and Isaiah Morris (16 points) for Burnside’s challenge.

Burnside lead a tight opening quarter 21-19 with Gillooly (24, 9R) splashing several threes as University maintained a strong defence and then quickly turned this into offence.Kyle Louis (20) stepped up for Burnside in the second spell as Burnside went to the break marginally ahead38-33. Ansell (33P, 11R, 4S) led a University fight back in the third slicing his way through slackening Burnside defence, sinking numerous baskets and drawing fouls in the third as University levelled the match 59-59 at the final break. Isaiah Morris (16) lifted his workload in the final quarter with support from Blake Alps (11, 8R) and more sustained efforts from Gillooly enabled Burnside to win the challenging encounter.

University shot a high 31-68 (45.6% field goals) opposed to Burnside’s 28-68 at 41% whereas Burnside did far better scoring 27-19 points from turnovers.

Results were:

Burnside HS 82 (Toby Gillooly 24, 9R, Kyle Louis 20, Isaiah Morris 16, Blake Alps 11, 8R) University 71 (Jack Ansell 33, 11R, 4S, Josh Campbell 13). HT: 38-33. MVP: Toby Gillooly.

 

Boys’ Under 17 Grand Final: Rangiora HS 75 Burnside Black 66

Rangiora High school showed it has a great deal of talent coming through in the North Canterbury ranks when it accounted for a strong Burnside Black team 75-66 in the Boys Under 17 Grand final. This was the eighth different Grand final winner in the grade since 2008 with defending champion Papanui in a re-build situation.

Rangiora jumped to a first-quarter 26-14 lead and repulsed numerous fightbacks from Burnside. The second period was pretty evenly matched with Rangiora still ahead 41-31 at the half-time break.Jake Millar with 25 points showed plenty of all-round ball skills as he planned the Rangiora moves while weaving through the Burnside defence to slot 25 points and was chosen MVP for the grade. He received plenty of support from Jordan Mann with 19 points and Ben Hall. Liam Reekie replied with 24 for Burnside including three trebles in the third quarter while Mann and Miller extended Rangiora’s lead to 64-50 at the final break.

Results were:

Rangiora HS 75 (Jake Millar 25, Jordan Mann 19) Burnside Black 66 (Liam Reekie 24, Isaiah Morris 15, TK Cooper 11). HT: 41-31. MVP: Jake Millar.

A contribution by Brent Gilpin, a Burnside parent.

Rangiora and Burnside were the top two Under 17 teams throughout the year securing their top two positions by the midpoint of the season. After a scratchy semi-final against Shirley the previous week, Rangiora started much better in the final with their zone defence suffocating the Burnside attack, and by the end of the first quarter had a 26-14 lead including a buzzer beating half-court shot from Jake Millar.  Burnside came back into the game, but at the end of the third quarter were still 14 points down. However a switch to man-on-man defence paid dividends and with 20 second half points from Liam Reekie (including four 3s) Burnside brought the margin down to just 2 points (64-62) with a little over 3 minutes left. Rangiora then held their nerve to secure a deserved 9 point win 75-66, thanks to a strong defensive effort and some high percentage outside shooting with Finals MVP Jake Millar scoring 25 points and Jordan Mann 19. For Burnside Liam Reekie led the way with 24 points, Isaiah Morris 15 and TK Cooper 11, but along with 3 of their U17 team-mates, they would have to wait for the U20 final to taste victory.

A contribution by Rangiora coach Liam Connelly

The team started out strong in the first quarter running the floor and scoring with ease, the quarter capped off with a shot from behind half way by captain Jake Millar. 

Leading by 12 at the end of the first, the team was not able to extend the lead for the next two quarters, due to foul trouble with key big men Hayden Collier and Cody Alexander. However with some strong shooting and penetrating play from Millar and Under 17 first team member Jordan Mann, Rangiora was able to maintain the lead. 

The fourth quarter started off shaky for Rangiora turning the ball over multiple times leading to Burnside fast break points and the lead being trimmed to 68-64 with just 4 minutes remaining. But the defence stepped up for Rangiora allowing one basket from that point and fittingly, it was crucial baskets from Millar, Mann and scoring machine Ben Hall that secured the victory and the championship title. 

Objective: The only goal that the boys had at the beginning of the season was to win the title, right from the start that was their mindset, second place didn't seem like an option to them. The work they put in and commitment they had to each other week in and week out was phenomenal. They listened and implemented nearly everything I told them and they deserved nothing short of what they achieved.

 

Boys' Under 15 Grand Finals: Cashmere HS 83 Wharenui Gators 74

In the first year of the newly formed grade in 1994 Shirley Spartans won the inaugural title but was knocked out in a second-life semi-final this year by a determined Wharenui Gators, while Cashmere went directly to the final when it accounted for round robin top qualifier Shirley in the 1 v 2 semi-final and an encounter in the Grand Final with Wharenui Gators.

Wharenui Gators took early advantage in the first quarter through the busy efforts of Colin Robin who displayed a sturdy range of ballskills, giving Gators a 23-16 lead at the first break. Oki Tilaia (24, 14R, 5A) and Finn Barclay (18) lead the early efforts for the slower starting Cashmere but stronger teamwork in the second saw the margin reduced slightly to 39-43 at the turn around. Louis Oskam with 14 rebounds ensured Cashmere with a better supply of ball. Another even period saw Gators still ahead 57-52 but, immediately after the final break, Oskam, Finals MVP Tilaia and Dylan Mahon (16) saw Cashmere go on a 17-31 run to take the championship title in style.

Results were:

Cashmere HS 83 (Oki Tilaia 24, 14R, 5A, Finn Barclay 18, Dylan Mahon 16, Louis Oskan 10, 14R) Wharenui Gators 74 (Colin Robins 24, Fabian Hoekendijk 15, Alfie Robinson 12). HT: Wharenui Gators 43-39. MVP: Oki Tilaia.

 

Men’s Division One Grand Final: Atami 82 2 Cheap Cars 79 in overtime

In the very competitive 14 team Men’s Division one Atami could only manage third in round one behind Wolverines Blue and Placemaker, which between the two teams owned every title sionce 2008.

In the second top eight round Atami won a semi’s berth when it upset Wolverines Blue and marched into the Grand final by disposing of Placemakers 72-65 in the semi-final to come up against 2 Cheap Cars, formerly Pilipinas Askals, in the Grand Final. It was Atami’s turn for glory in 2015 having been beaten in two semi-finals in 2013 by Wolverines and last year by Askals in an semi-fianl overtime thriller 89-86.

Jamin Dyer and and Ivan Hill took the early play against a sluggish 2Cheap Cars, pulling out to a handy 20-11 lead before Rual Gantalao (24, 8R) and Andy Blancia picked up the pace for the Filipino side, outpointing Atami 21-12 in the second quarter to level the match 32-32 at half-time. In the third quarter Ariel Mepana used his height to gather 12 rebounds and penetrated the Atami defence to score 27 points as his team started to edge ahead to lead 59-50 at the break.

Joined by two other Atami veterans, Troy Russell and Nathan MacLennan, Ivan Hill put on a MVP performance with 28 mainly second half points to give Atami 20-11 fourth quarter points, along with the help of veteran Manual Nunez (16, 14R) to level the score at 70-70 and send the game to extra time. With a previously rather subdued Filipino crowd starting to raise the roof off Cowles stadium it was Nunez who sunk a basket and three free throws to give the advantage to Atami. Guntalao replied with a succession of free throws and as time was running out a last ditch shot by 2 Cheap Cars bounced off the rim which could have sent the game to double overtime and Atami claimed a long aimed for title 82-79.

Results were:

Atami 82 (Ivan Hill 28, Manuel Nunez 16, 14R, Jamin Dwyer 11, 10R) 2Cheap Cars 79 (Ariel Mepana 27, 12R, Ruel Gantalao 24, 8R) in over-time. HT: 32-32. FT: 70-70. ET: 82-79. MVP: Ivan Hill.

 

Womens Division one Grand Final: Royals 71 University of Canterbury 33

The highly experienced Royals won the Women’s Division One Grand final with a comfortably win over University 71-33 on Saturday.

Royals have fashioned a proud record in the WD1 under the leadership of Cathy Hyland. Since coming out of the shadow of previous long term champion Aranui Blue now long retired, Royals have appeared in seven WD1 Grand finals since 2008, put out in the semi’s by Rangi Ruru in 2010 and won the championship in 2009 (beating Cashmere HS) and 2013 when it beat Minties 48-36.

Royals have gone through the 2015 season unbeaten with a three point win over Royals Dark Horses and a four point win over University in the first of three round robins the closest that the other teams had got. In the semi’s it shrugged off a strong challenge from arch-rivals Minties 70-41 while University won through beating Royals Dark Horses.

Ever-green Jo Casey led the early efforts for Royals after much ground work from the experienced Pina Lissaman, a former Wildcats coach. Casey shot a match high 22 points while Lissaman picked up the Finals MVP award with her 14 points and new member Juanita Gear supported well with 12 points.

It only took until the first quarter break for Royals to appear to have the game under control leading 23-12 while Letitia Mullally with support from Ella Smith shot 10 of her 12 points to keep University in touch. The pace slowed in the second quarter with Royals ahead 36-22 at the turn around and continued to pull steadily away from there in the second half to take the teams third Grand Final since 2008.

Results were:

Royals 71 (Jo Casy 22, Pina Lissaman 14, Juanita Gear 12) University 33 (Letitia Mullally 12, Ella Smitt 8). HT: 36-22. MVP: Pina Lissaman.

 

Women's Under 20 Grand Final: Rangi Ruru Girls’ 77 Burnside HS 58

Rangi Ruru GS showed depth coming through its program when it won both the Women’s Under 20 and Girls U16 grade, Rangi upsetting top qualifier Burnside High 77-58 in the U20 grade. Rangi Ruru last reached a grand final, a combined WD1/WU20 grade in 2010 when beaten by Aranui Blue.

Much of the success of the Rangi Ruru program goes to its long serving coach over nearly two decades from Rose Walker, a former Canterbury Wildcat in her time.Burnside finished the double round robin with a 10-2 record in first place, easily won its quarter final and won by default over Rangi to go directly to the Grand Final. Rangi Ruru squeezed past Halswell 58-53 in a close second-life semi-final.

Meg Thompson led the Rangi Ruru efforts in the final with 23 points to claim the Finals MVP award with Alice Sproat (10) a promising backup. Rangi Ruru led both the first two quarters to establish a strong 44-29 half-time lead. Burnside had a better 15-9 run in the third period to close the gap to 53-44 with teenage representative Tsubasa Nisbet picking up 15 points and Eve Whongi 13. Thomson picked up the pace for Rangi Ruru in the last quarter to carry her side to a well-earned Grand final victory.

Results were:

Rangi Ruru GS 77 (Meg Thompson 23, Alice Sproat 10) Burnside HS 58 (Tsubasa Nisbet 14, Eve Whongi 13). HT: 44-29. MVP: Meg Thompson.

 

Girls' Under 16 Grand Final: Rangi Ruru Girls’ 73 Checkers 64

This year a more sharply focused Rangi Ruru with many new players went through the three round robins with 11 wins. Rangi Ruru easily accounted for Halswell in the semi’s while Checkers put out defending champion Wharenui Gators.

Strong contributions from Sophia Harrison (20), Bayley Chamberlain (20) and Millie Knight (14 points) enabled Rangi Ruru to take a narrow first quarter lead 19-17 and extend it to 35-29 at the half time break. Violet Eaton toiled long and hard to keep Checkers in the match, slotting game high 23 points with support from Georgia Hollings and Georgia Knowles.

Rangi Ruru edged ahead slightly in the third quarter but at 51-41 it was still anyone’s game. In a higher scoring last quarter Rangi outpointed Checkers 22-21 to win the Grand final 73-64. For her efforts Chamberlain was awarded the Finals MVP award.

Results were:

Rangi Ruru GS 73 (Sophia Harrison 20, Bayley Chamberlain 20, Millie Knight 14) Checkers 64 (Violet Eaton 23, Georgia Hollings10, Georgia Knowles 10). HT: 35-29. MVP: Bayley Chamberlain.

 

Junior All-Stars

North Canterbury Yr 7/8 All Stars teams showed great potential when it captured both the Boys and Girls titles while Pioneer (Boys) and Bishopdale YMCA (Girls) took out the YR5/6 titles with a large crowd packing the stands to watch potential Rams and Wildcats of the future.

Results were:

All Stars Yr 7-8 Boys Final: North Canterbury Tar Heels 68 (Grayson Hetherington 16, Taylor Ellis 14, Kaleb Chamberlain 14) Wharenui Gators 38 (Zach Hannen 20). HT: 40-15.  MVP: Taylor Ellis.

All Stars Yr 5-6 Boys Final: Pioneer Pacers 64 (Harry Weston 18) Bishopdale YMCA 39 (Isaacc Peckham 22). HT: 29-12. MVP: Harry Weston.

All Stars Yr 7-8 Girls Final: North Canterbury Lynx 57 (Elsie McRobb 11, Georgia Gold 10, Lexi Mawson 10) Wharenui Gators 44 (KatieVan Den Bogaert13). HT: 27-18. MVP: Elsie McRobb.

All Stars Yr 5-6 Girls Final: Bishopdale YMCA 38 Wharenui Gators 36 (Grace Neilson 18) in over-time. HT: Wharenui Gators 20-13. FT: 32-32. ET: YMCA 38-36. MVP: Cassidy Brunel (Bishopdale).