Schools' basketball competition heating up

IN FORM: Briarley Rogers again top scored for Aquinas College. PHOTO/FILE A_260316aw01BOP

With finals around the corner in the Senior Girls A competition every game takes on extra significance.

Aquinas College faced undefeated Tauranga Girls' College and Aquinas started strongly, leading 16-13 at quarter-time. Regrouping Tauranga Girls' lifted their intensity in the second quarter to lead 40-30 at halftime before eventually winning 76-53.

Briarley Rogers again lead Aquinas with 35 points while top scored for Tauranga Girls' who had eight scorers. That depth of scoring across the board was the difference in the end between the teams.

Otumoetai College were too good for TWOM Kura Pakeke winning 60-34. Simaima Ryland scored 28 for Otumoetai with Te Marama Munroe scoring 10 for TWOM. The win keeps the pressure on Waihi Girls in the battle for 2nd spot.

Waihi Senior A girls continued to hold onto second place with a well deserved 66-46 victory of Mt Maunganui. Petra McCowatt was a handful at both ends of the floor, contributing 30 points and dominating both ends on the boards.

In the Senior Boys A competition Tauranga Boys' College reminded everyone of the firepower they have this year. Fresh from a bye last week they set the tone early in there 117-50 win over Bethlehem College. Josiah Albert had his best game of the year racking up 39 points and was supported all over the floor with six players getting into double figures.

For Bethlehem College Scott Hill (19) and Jacob Gerritsen (14) were the two players able to score consistently against the improved Tauranga Boys' defence.

Trident High School continued there great start after the holidays reversing an earlier result to beat Waihi College 72-67.

Waihi started the game extremely well to lead 18-5 at quarter-time and 33-20 at halftime. However Trident's full court defense and dynamic Arie Van Dusschoten (27) & Chris Tupaea (24) were to much.

Trident using a 30-20 final quarter to get over the line in the final minutes. Bradley Coleman was a strong presence for Waihi with 25 points.

Otumoetai College has shown it will still be a tough team despite changes to the team over the holidays. The team has lost players James Hegarty, Sam McMaken, Patrick Neale and Khale Stowers but managed to dig deep for a deserved 59-52 win over Aquinas College.

Playing with only six players on the roster Otumoetai feasted from outside the arc punishing the Aquinas defense with nine three pointers in the game. Josh Adamson and Xavier Gell were particulary deadly from long range.

Aquinas had chances but could not capitalise as again free throw shooting and late game execution let them down.

For Otumoetai the win keeps them in second place and is a reminder to the league that they are still a dangerous team.