But it was their fellow forward Rongomai Smith (22pts) who breathed fire and it was his driving lay-up to tie the scores at 69-all on regulation time that sent the game to overtime.
Smith was well guarded in the first half — Zade Donner gave Smith no airspace when guarding him with the score CL 5, Old School 4.
Old School captain Namana said: “Defence isn’t over until you rebound the ball; we matched them offensively by going inside to our bigs (Tindale and Smith), but we didn’t box out at our own end — and they shot the ball well from the three-point line.
“Having Will Locquard (5pts) foul out also hurt us as we needed him on the floor in overtime.”
Muncaster was elated and in no doubt as to where the game was won: “That game was played at a fast tempo — we’re all about run-and-gun — but we also played tough defence against a big team.
“Aubrey Yates hustled, Karlyle Te Maari and Joe Te Maari (6pts) found the open man — every guy who took the court for us was amazing.”
It wasn’t a vintage Gisborne Boys’ High School Red performance, yet they still beat SE Systems 84-41 in 3 v 6.
Red held sway 22-7, 45-16, 62-26.
Tyrese Tuwairua-Brown (23pts), Ofa Tauatevalu (17pts) and Max Scott (13pts) were the dominant scorers.
Systems’ most prolific were Jackson Leach (16pts) and Adrian Sparks (12pts).
Sparks — as he often does — rose to the occasion. Two minutes and 45 seconds into the game, he made a shotgun lay-up (two-handed, left side of the hoop).
Gisborne Boys’ opened the scoring with two three-point shots — Tuwairua-Brown from the left wing, Scott from the right side of the court.
Tuwairua-Brown also facilitated good play for his teammates, as in the third period when he drove down the right baseline to find big forward Khian Westrupp open under the hoop, for 47-18.
He’s no longer their secret weapon.
Dale Akuhata backed up an astounding performance for the Filthy Dozen in their 51-50 loss to Old School last Monday with a 26-point showing against Gisborne Boys’ High School Black in 4 v 5 to help his team to an 80-32 victory.
The tall, athletic, aggressive forward again stormed up and down the floor, driving to the hoop for lay-ups.
His teammates Wi Brown (18pts) and the in-form Willie Brown (12pts), both of whom have been prominent this season, were classy.
The Filthy Dozen haven’t had everything go their own way so far in 2019, but they are dangerous.
They led 29-10, 47-15, 59-21 throughout the game.
Black fought hard. Adam Nepe was impressive. The powerful forward scored 14 points, and guard Daley Riri produced four field goals.
