It was the first time in the school's history that Stratford High School Senior A Basketball made it into the SAS Secondary Schools National Basketball Championships final last week in Palmerston North.
With only 8 points difference, Stratford High School Senior Men's A team was placed second at the SAS Secondary Schools National Basketball Championships.
Philippa Merson, sports co-ordinator at the school, says the team made history for the school making the finals in the A division, for schools with a role less than 600.
It was the first time Stratford High has made it in to the finals and a huge improvement on last year's 6th place ranking.
Stratford High faced Melville High School in the finals, the only team that Stratford High had lost to in the pool play competition. Philippa says it was a close game throughout and Stratford High started strong winning the first two quarters of the game. Their Waikato based opponents took back control in the third quarter, gaining a lead of 16 points. The final quarter of the game was tight and while Stratford High won the quarter, unfortunately it wasn't enough to win the game.
Stratford High had two qualifying teams for the national competition with the Senior Womens A team placing 5th. St Mary's Diocesan School were also at the tournament and placed 7th overall.
A selection committee watched games throughout the tournament to name a team of top players based on their performance at the event.
"Being selected for the 'tournament team' is a huge recognition for the students and all the hard work they put in throughout the year," says Philippa. Stratford High players Quintin Bailey, Cameron Tretheway, Bailey Gavin and St Mary's Diocesan School player Eva Langton were selected for the tournament teams.