Although the Dragons stuck with Muncaster’s crew (16-12) to quartertime, by halftime City Lights led 28-19 and going into the last period, they were 45-25 ahead.
Not even the introduction of Dragons forward Ray Noble five minutes into the game could slow City Lights down, Luka Kablar (8pts) providing City Lights with an inside presence.
“The whole team gave it everything — that was epic,” Muncaster said.
“We wanted to play quickly and Fax (Walters) hit every shot he took early on, but the play of the game for me was Luka’s three-pointer.”
Kablar’s 20-foot effort beat the halftime buzzer and was a devastating blow to the Dragons, who worked hard.
Veteran Bronson Te Hau took the ball to the basket early in the game and Dragons captain Keenan Ruru-Poharama shot the ball superbly for 15 points, including three three-pointers.
“It was a tough game,” Ruru-Poharama said.
“For some of the boys, it was the first semifinal they’ve played in, whereas Scotty’s team are very experienced at club level.
“Mercy (Bristowe) played well for us and we played well in patches, but they made big runs.”
Bristowe was solid in defence and the effort was there from the Dragons. Uncharacteristic turnovers from senior players cost them in the first half.
City Lights showed flashes of brilliance, such as Muncaster’s cross-court pass right-side to Zade Donner on the run for 24-17.
Te Angi Te Hau scored six points, while teammates Wills and Te Ahi Otene-Te Hau — the Dragons big men — scored five points each.
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As of last night, Gisborne Boys’ High School have finished the season in fifth place with SE Systems, Campion College, Auto Go Pure Sound, Lytton High School and the 9ers making up spots six to 10.
The Dragons will play East Coast in the playoff for third at 8.30pm tonight.
Boys’ High showed great character last night to win games 1 and 3, beating Lytton 93-36 and then SE Systems 40-37.
Psalm Taylor stole Systems’ inbounding pass on the left sideline in the SES front-court with five seconds left to clinch victory in Game 3, but the absence of Lytton captain Genesis Bartlett-Tamatea — who has been outstanding all season — meant that nothing could stop Boys’ High in the opening game.
The 57-point spread was the biggest margin in Boys’ High/Lytton games, Boys’ High’s biggest win, the highest score in Boys’ High/Lytton clashes and the biggest score or margin conceded by Lytton against a school team in club competition.
Tyrese Tuwairua-Brown (22pts), Sam Veitch (15pts), Karlyle Te Maari (12pts) and Joseph Te Maari (11pts) led the Boys’ High scoring. Tuwairua-Brown, Te Maari and Veitch also made three-point plays.
Centre Veitch’s work on the boards was exceptional and helped Boys’ High set the tone. Boys’ High led 23-17, 42-22 and 69-26, and dominated the game from quartertime.
For Lytton, Darius Leach scored 10 points and played with real determination, taking the ball to the hoop skilfully and finishing difficult plays, while tough forward Ben Greaves (8pts) also stepped up. Greaves has played with 100 percent commitment all season.
Louie Rangihuna and Tane Wills-Aranga both scored five points, the latter giving an assist to Jack Whaitiri for Lytton’s last field goal — Whaitiri made a sensational move inside Taylor to score on the right.
In the game against Systems, Tuwairua-Brown scored 13 points and it was his three-point play that made the score 40-37.
Te Maari got the ball inside to Veitch, who executed a great finish on the spin left-side for 24-all, and Te Maari made a three-point play against Systems’ Will Locquard for 30-24.
Jorge Tofilau scored six points for Boys’ High and played with great energy all night.
Kahn Grayson was Systems’ best with 13 points, including two three-point plays.
Systems led 12-11 and 21-18 through the first two breaks but Boys’ High were 33-27 up heading into the fourth quarter.
Boys’ High coach Dwayne Tamatea said: “We missed a lot of easy shots early on but we hung in there.
“In the third quarter we trapped defensively, got the lead and managed to hold on to it.
“Psalm? Sometimes he can drift, but he can be very good, too. He certainly was on that last play.”
Systems captain Adrian Sparks said: “We didn’t do too badly for old guys with injuries and only one sub. Kahn and Daley Riri, our young guys, they’ve been a pleasure to have in our team.”
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Campion College beat Auto Go Pure Sound by default.
