Wolfpack too good on defence for Old Surfers

Orlando Pedraza scored 16 points in Campion’s 64-38 win over the Gizzy Gilahs. File picture by Paul Rickard

Bar the last two games at the John McFarlane Memorial Sports Centre, Week 2 of the Gisborne Basketball Association’s 2019 men’s club basketball league produced close contests.

Game 1 at the Boys’ High sports centre saw Lytton High School beat Gisborne Boys’ High School Blue 41-35, despite a stellar performance by GBHS’s Ngaru Grayson (17 points). Lytton were 10-3 ahead at quarter-time, 27-22 up at the break and 37-26 in front heading into the fourth period.

LHS captain Ben Greaves turned in a gutsy effort on both backboards, and the all-round improvement of Darius Waititi-Leach (11pts) and raw potential of athletic forward Ryan Anderson (10) gave the visiting team the edge.

Old Surfers led in their game but they couldn’t hang on.

They were up 12-9 against GBHS Wolfpack at the end of the first period but a very good defensive effort from player-coach Ray Noble’s young pack saw the veterans restricted to a mere two points in the lead-in to half-time: the Wolfpack held a 27-14 advantage.

gbhS were 37-24 ahead by three quarter-time and despite Mercy Bristowe (12) running hard and the threat of big man Konnor Gibson (eight pts) around the hoop, the younger team finished the game well for 46-31. Guard Rikki Noble (12) hit two three-point shots and like older brother Jake, is quick between the ears.

Captains have to front up and Orlando Pedraza did, with 16 points in Campion’s 64-38 win in a hair-raising encounter with the Gizzy Gilahs.

The Gilahs play the game with great spirit and enthusiasm, competing for possession every time a pass is made, a player dribbles or a shot goes up. Campion led 15-11, 29-21, 43-27 with Pedraza and Tana Ward (12) lifting their game noticeably in the second half.

A team of mainly Filipino extraction, Gizzy Gilahs simply ran out of puff in the fourth period. What they lack in height, they make up for with hustle.

WEEK 2, 2019 GBA MEN’S CLUB BASKETBALL LEAGUE (Monday night)

SE Systems 45 Gisborne Boys’ High School Black 43 (SES Keenan Ruru-Poharama 11; GBHS Black Karlyle Te Maari 12; GBHS Black led 15-10, 27-16, 36-33).

Filthy Dozen 59 Old School 55 (FD - Dale Hailey 17, Dom Wilson 16; Old School - Reggie Namana 12, Jason Tuapawa 11, Rongomai Smith 10; Filthy Dozen led 19-10, 31-18, 44-38).

City Lights 72 GBHS Red 67 (CL - Scott Muncaster 21; GBHS Red - Holden Wilson 17, Tyrese Tuwairua-Brown 10; CL led 1st 1/4 17-11, HT 32-20, 3/4 54-53).

Lytton High School 41 GBHS Blue 35.

GBHS Wolfpack 46 Old Surfers 31.

Campion College 64 Gizzy Gilahs 38.

WEEK 2, 2019 GBA LADIES’ CLUB BASKETBALL LEAGUE (Last night)

Paikea Nation 39 YMCA Riverina 22.

Lytton High School 57 Gisborne Girls’ High School 30.

Ngati Porou 65 Campion College 18.