Rotorua were unofficially ranked NZ1: the country’s best team — prior to their 71-77 Super 8 final loss to Napier in Hastings earlier this month.
On Wednesday, September 5, Campion play RBHS on court three at 9am and Katikati on C3 at 2.15pm. On Thursday, Campion has Opotiki at 9am and Fraser at 2.15pm, both on C3.
From 10.45am on Friday, crossover games start on courts 1 and 2. Saturday sees placings games tip off at 9am, the grand final on C1 at 5.45pm with prizegiving set for 7.30pm.
The Campion crew to travel is Orlando Pedraza (captain), Nelson Brown, Tamati Barr, Fletcher Miller, Aaron Sarcia, Allen Arnaldo, Robert Fysh, Elijah Swann and Jovan Potter with head coach Shane McClutchie, assistant coach Paora Dewes and manager Rosemary Brown.
Brown thanked the event sponsors for their support.
The prizes, such as a piece by Raewyn Harris valued at $600, spoke to the magnificent generosity of sponsors, she said.
Seventeen-year-old Pedraza, who top-scored with 21 points in the men’s B Grade club league final, regarded the evening as a great success, while McClutchie was moved to speak from the heart:
“I was overwhelmed by the support of the community for our team and would like to thank everyone who participated — Whizz for hosting the event, Paora Dewes who assisted him on-stage, our sponsors, Rose who pitched the idea of an ‘It’s in the Bag’-style quiz and who put the show together.”
The public got into the spirit of things on what was a great night had by all.
Mayor Rehette Stoltz said: “We had a blast at the RSA on Saturday, fund-raising for the Campion Cougars. The Whizz had us in stitches . . . and we even had a go at shooting some hoops!”
