NZ basketball reps inspire their school teams to win

New Zealand Under-16 representative players Briarley Rogers and Shalom Broughton have come back to TCBA Secondary School league and led their respective teams to big wins in round 8.

Heading into the business end of the competition and with secondary school nationals qualification just around the corner, teams are looking to build some confidence and get some vital wins in what is turning into a tight competition.

Coming back from the school holidays break Briarley scored 45 points in Aquinas College's 67-62 win over TWOM Kura Pakeke.

Playing without Olivia McManaway, TWOM Kura Pakeke raced out to a 22-12 lead at the end of first quarter. Aquinas slowly got back into the game but were still behind 55-46.

The final quarter was all Aquinas as they dominated with a 21-7 points score. For TWOM Kura Pakeke TeMarama Munroe led her team with 18 points.

Shalom Broughton paced the Mount Maunganui team to a 54-47 win over Bethlehem College in the senior boys' competition. Shalom was a handful for Bethlehem all game scoring a game high 27 and altering or blocking many shots from Bethlehem on the defensive end.

The game was close the whole way through with many runs and lead changes throughout.

Mt Maunganui managed to make a decisive play towards the end of each quarter to keep extending its lead. For Bethlehem College Scott Hill was top scorer with 19 points.

In the other results, in the senior boys' A game Trident's Arie Van Dusschoten (26) and Chris Tupaea (20) were too good for Aquinas winning 65-61. Otumoetai senior girls' who were led by balanced scoring of Simaima Ryland (25), Renee Bennett (12) and Jade Schiska (15) were too strong for Mount Maunganui winning 69-47.