Basketball: Visitors too classy for locals

Zack Te Puni of Rangitoto College finishes at the hoop against Rosmini College during the semifinals of the Junior Secondary School Zone 1/2 Premierships at ASB Arena. PHOTOS/GEORGE NOVAK

Local teams have fought bravely but failed to foot it with the best young basketball talent on show at the Junior Secondary School Zone 1/2 Premierships at ASB Arena.

Tauranga Girls' was the best performed of the Western Bay of Plenty teams, finishing in fourth place after falling 64-51 against a much larger, taller Rangitoto College team.

Rotorua Girls' High School finished fifth ahead of Westlake Girls' courtesy of a 60-50 victory, while Otumoetai College came eighth after losing a playoff to Waikato Diocesan 62-44.

Olivia Rose was a standout for Tauranga Girls' College.

Avondale College won the girls' final against Western Heights High School.

Tauranga Boys' finished eighth on the boys' side of the draw, with Otumoetai two places back in 10th.

Rangitoto College, with their collection of impressive athletes - a couple of who were a good foot taller than most boys on show - proved too strong for a gallant Hamilton Boys' High School team in the boys' final, after dismissing Rosmini College 88-70 in the semifinal.

Hamilton Boys' had set their sights on a semifinal spot earlier in the week but went one better after beating traditional basketball powerhouse Kelston Boys' High School earlier on the day.

Rangitoto ran out 82-60 winners, with Rosmini proving too strong in the playoff for third, beating Kelston 72-60.

The senior secondary school competition tips off at 9am today.

Final standings

Boys: 1. Rangitoto College, 2. Hamilton Boys' High School, 3. , 4. , 5. Te Awamutu College, 6. St John's College, 7. Nga Taiatea Wharekura, 8. Tauranga Boys' College, 9. Westlake Boys' High School, 10. Otumoetai College.

Girls: 1. , 2. , 3. Rangitoto College, 4. Tauranga Girls' College, 5. Rotorua Girls' High School, 6. Westlake Girls' High School, 7. Waikato Diocesan, 8. Otumoetai College.