Girls' High goal keep Joaquina Kaa played well and collected some crucial intercepts, especially in the last few minutes of the game.
Throughout the game, she kept moving in the goal circle and putting pressure on the shooters. It meant YMP's feeders couldn't use the high lob as much as they usually do.
Girls' High centre Te Arai Waihape-Matthews also played well for the full hour.
She was driving to the top of the goal circle, delivering good ball in to shooters Jamie Rika, Kassie Owen and Lily Hawea (until she was injured near the end of the first quarter), limiting YMP's options and then linking both ends of the court.
When given the chance, YMP moved the ball speedily through the court, but they let their lead slip in the last quarter.
Ecstatic Girls' High coach Tanya Owen said she and her coaching and management group were “super proud” of the whole team.
“It was just a real good collective team effort and last night the girls implemented everything that we have been trying to do with them all season.”
Owen said their strong finish was no surprise.
“Every game the girls have been digging deep in the final quarter,” she said.
“They have belief.
“They knew how much this game meant to them.
“I'm just so happy for the girls. They deserve to be in the playoffs.”
YMP coach Ingrid Brown has congratulated the students on their win and for making the top four.
“For us it wasn't the best performance by our squad. We struggled to deliver good ball into the circle. We were a bit tentative.
“Our squad knows we are at the business end of the season and now our focus is on the next two weeks.”
In the other match last night, F45 High School Old Girls finished their season with a well-deserved victory over JT Contractors Horouta Gold.
HSOG led all the way — 14-10, 30-23, 45-35 and 57-49.
They started strongly, with all players working together on attack and defence.
Attackers Ashleigh Te Patu and Saffron Eparaima were speedy and often used the “pass and cut” skill, while working the ball in to shooters Marcia Beale and Lauren Bennett, who finished with some impressive goals.
HSOG used their zone defence well and stopped Horouta Gold's flow through the court.
Defenders Alex Sinclair and Arna Majstrovic worked together well in the goal circle for HSOG, and both secured some timely tips and intercepts.
It was a competitive game, enjoyed by a large crowd.
Horouta Gold still make the playoffs.
Defence coach Nicky-Marie Kohere-Smiler said making the top four was always their goal this season.
“Despite the loss tonight we're still high, still excited to be in the playoffs.
“High School Old Girls really came out to play tonight. They were into it and ready for it, and they played really well.”
HSOG player-coach Alex Sinclair said it felt good to finish with a good win.
“We talked at training about doing that and the girls were determined to do well.”
For the defending champions the season ends.
Sinclair said missing out on the playoffs and the chance to defend their title was “not an ideal feeling”.
“We made it hard for ourselves and made our fightback too late in the season.
“But we'll be back next year, better and more determined.”
End-of-round points: YMP (1) 37, Claydens Waikohu (1) 32, Gillies Electrical GGHS Snr A 16, JT Contractors Horouta Gold 15, F45 HSOG 14, Whangara Old Girls 13.
No games are scheduled for the premier grade on Saturday. The semifinals will be at the YMCA on Wednesday next week.
Over at the courts, the seniors finish their Round 3 games on Saturday. They start at 9am and the last games go on at 1pm.
