College Sport: Wynyard living life in the fast lane

Tai Wynyard celebrates Rangitoto beating Westlake for the northern zone regional title with coaches Kenny Stone (left) and Dan Mandic. Photo / Rangitoto College

At 16, basketball star looks destined for great things ... but for now he’s busy bouncing between commitments.

It has been a big season in the burgeoning basketball career of Tai Wynyard.

The 16-year-old, Year 12 Rangitoto College student helped his school's team win the Auckland premier championship, scoring 24 points and pulling down seven rebounds in the final over Auckland Grammar.

The power forward or centre became the youngest Tall Black when he took the court against South Korea in July, and has an ANBL season with the Breakers coming up.

There are also the schools basketball national championships in Palmerston North, as well as schoolwork, exams, and US college offers to consider.

Among all his feats at several levels of the game, Wynyard has missed only three games for Rangitoto.

"It's been a massive year," he said. "Playing for the Tall Blacks was a crazy moment. My parents were there. It was amazing, one of the best feelings I've had in my life. That Jordan Brand talent camp in the US was one of the best things you could ever be invited to for my age."

He was philosophical about missing the cut for the World Cup in Spain, saying he never expected to get so far, so soon.

So hectic is his schedule, he had raced back to school to talk to the Herald after training all morning with the Breakers. He had an exam to consider the next day, and was also talking to a US college scout.

"It's really tough to balance schoolwork and basketball. Today I got to school at lunchtime. I'll probably only do one period today."

Wynyard is following in the footsteps of Rangitoto old boys such as Sean Marks and Isaac Fotu with his basketball achievements, though he says he would like to create his own path rather than follow in someone else's size 16s.

It's been a stellar year for Rangitoto basketball. The premier boys, under the coaching of Kenny Stone and Dan Mandic, won the northern zone regional title, beating arch-rivals Westlake Boys' High for the fourth time this season in the final, where Wynyard scored 25 points, and then narrowly edged Auckland Grammar last Thursday. With other "bigs" such as Yuat Alok and Denhym Brooke giving so much height on the inside, Rangitoto is tough to break defensively.

Wynyard has posted solid numbers, but does not always find going back to school basketball that easy.

"It's really hard. You just can't do the things you can do in the Tall Blacks or Breakers. The physicality is a big step down. I'm used to banging around, but if you do that, they go flying here. You have to adjust your mind. Also, with the rep of being a Tall Black, you have to be a Tall Black.

"Teams double or triple-team me. As soon as I touch the ball in the post, they get people to smack into me."

As a result, he has copped at least three elbows to the face this year.

But he still loves turning out for his school, though it is only in the last season that his impact has been felt.

After getting into the Breakers academy and coming under the tutelage of Judd Flavell, his game has blossomed in the past 18 months or so. Now he is confident he will see some court time for the Breakers this ANBL season.

Parental support is important for Wynyard. His father Jason was a world champion axeman, and Mum Karmyn played in the Tall Ferns. They provide a taxi service for him from their West Auckland home.

The height comes from his mother, who was 6ft 3in when she was 13. Wynyard is now 6ft 8in.

"Dad takes me aside. He doesn't talk to me so much about the basketball. He talks more about the mind and being as good, if not better, than these guys."

Some have tried to coax him into rugby, but Wynyard has a clear idea of what he wants to do in basketball.

He may even be back at school next year, but there is little time to even sit back and reflect on this, his moving season.

Results

Basketball

Auckland premier finals
Girls: Westlake GHS 56 Rangitoto 50
Boys: Rangitoto 60 Auckland Grammar 56

Open boys' finals: Rangitoto 45 Alfriston 41; Pakuranga 56 St Peter's 54
Open girls' final: Orewa 36 Westlake GHS 24
U17 boys' final: Westlake BHS 37 MAGS 29
U17 girls' final: Avondale 48 MAGS 34
U15 boys' final: Rosmini 41 Kelston BHS 36
U15 girls' final: MAGS 51 Massey 23

Football

Boys' premier Knockout Cup: Sacred Heart 1 (Niko Kirwan) Macleans 0

League

North Harbour Under 85kg: Westlake 20 Northcote 12, Orewa 38 Mahurangi 6, Rangitoto 34 Whangaparaoa 4

Cycling

NZSS individual champs:

U20 boys
Individual time trial
1.Sam Dobbs (St Peter's, Cambridge) 11:07.45 (CR); 2. Harry Elworthy (Takapuna Grammar) 11.09.79; 3. John Newman-Watt (Massey) 11.11.46
Hill climb
1.Harry Elworthy (Takapuna Grammar) 1.49.49; 2. Sam Dobbs (St Peter's, Cambridge) 1.44.11; 3. Reon Sheath (Hamilton BHS) 1.48.17
Criterium
1.Sam Dakin (St Kentigern); 2. Harry Elworthy (Takapuna Grammar); 3. Sam Dobbs (St Peter's, Cambridge)
Overall champion
1.Sam Dobbs (St Peter's, Cambridge); 2. Harry Elworthy (Takapuna Grammar); 3. John Newman-Watt (Massey)

U20 girls
Individual time trial
1.Bryony Botha (Rangitoto) 12.26.32 (CR); 2. Holly White (St Cuthbert's) 12.29.65; 3. Lydia Rippon (Massey) 12.56.80
Hill climb
1.Grace Anderson (EGGS) 2.20.48; 2. Lydia Rippon (Massey) 2.21.65; 3. Bryony Botha (Rangitoto) 2.23.59
Criterium
1.Bryony Botha (Rangitoto); 2. Nina Wollaston (Baradene); 3. Ellie Cowan (Takapuna Grammar)
Overall champion
1.Bryony Botha (Rangitoto); 2. Holly White (St Cuthbert's); 3. Lydia Rippon (Massey High)

U17 boys
Individual time trial
1.James Fouche (St Kentigern) 11.09.48 (CR); 2. Connor Brown (St Kentigern) 11.22.18; 3. Michael Carswell (Lynfield) 11.45.09
Hill climb
1.James Fouche (St Kentigern) 1.53.52; 2. Laurence Kerby (Auckland Grammar) 1.53.56; 3. Vincent Allen (Takapuna Grammar) 1.54.23
Criterium
1.James Fouche (St Kentigern), 2. Chris Madden (Sacred Heart); 3. Connor Brown (St Kentigern)
Overall champion
1.James Fouche (St Kentigern), 2. Connor Brown; 3= Michael Carswell (Lynfield) and Bradley Leitch (Strathallan)

U17 girls
Individual time trial
1.Madeleine Park (St Kentigern) 5.59.47; 2. Katherine Badham (Takapuna Grammar) 6.14.17; 3. Rose Marshall-Lee (Rangi Ruru Girls') 6.09.38
Hill climb
1.Olivia Ray (Diocesan) 2.28.88; 2. Rose Marshall-Lee (Rangi Ruru Girls') 2.29.90; 3. Madeleine Park (St Kentigern) 2.35.04
Criterium
1.Madeleine Park (St Kentigern); 2. Elizabeth Mudford (St Kentigern); 3. Rose Marshall-Lee (Rangi Ruru Girls')
Overall champion
1.Madeleine Park (St Kentigern); 2. Rose Marshall-Lee (Rangi Ruru Girls'); 3. Olivia Ray (Diocesan)

U16 boys
Individual time trial
1.Oscar Elworthy (Takapuna Grammar) 5.17.82 (CR); 2. Aaron Wyllie (Auckland Grammar) 5.23.98; 3. Harry Waine (Takapuna Grammar) 5.32.50
Hill climb
1.Aaron Wyllie (Auckland Grammar) 1.53.14; 2. Harry Waine (Takapuna Grammar) 1.53.23; 3. Oscar Elworthy (Takapuna Grammar) 1.54.21
Criterium - A grade
1. Harris Fogelberg (Auckland Grammar); 2. Jacob Kench (Takapuna Grammar); 3. Harry Waine (Takapuna Grammar)
Criterium - B grade
1.Christopher Hughes (St Peter's, Cambridge); 2. Kip Watson (Westlake BHS); 3. Jack White (King's)
Overall champion
1.Aaron Wyllie (Auckland Grammar), 2. Oscar Elworthy (Takapuna Grammar); 3. Jacob Kench (Takapuna Grammar)

U16 girls
Individual time trial
1.Georgia Danford (St Mary's) 6.13.19; 2. Estafana Fowler (Baradene) 6.17.45; 3. Libby Arbuckle (Palmerston North Girls') 6.018.75
Hill climb
1.Laura Watkinson (Diocesan) 2.30.91; 2. Georgia Danford (St Mary's) 2.32.02; 3. Ruby Sullivan (EGGS) 2.34.40
Criterium
1.Georgia Danford (St Mary's); 2. Chloe Jenkins (Rangi Ruru Girls'); 3. Ruby Sullivan (EGGS)
Overall champion
1.Georgia Danford (St Mary's); 2. Laura Watkinson (Diocesan); 3. Estafana Fowler (Baradene)

U15 boys
Individual time trial
1.Jamie Leitch (Strathallan) 5.44.74; 2.Timmy Ng (Hamilton BHS) 5.46.73; 3. Tyler Jerram (King's) 5.48.92
Hill climb
1. Ewan Syme (Otago BHS) 2.04.14; 2. Timmy Ng (Hamilton BHS) 2.05.60; 3. Adam McPheat (Takapuna Grammar) 2.06.31
Criterium
1.Jamie Leitch (Strathallan); 2. Burnie McGrath (Hamilton BHS); 3. Whitiora Rolleston (Glendowie)
Overall champion
1.Jamie Leitch (Strathallan); 2. Timmy Ng (Hamilton BHS); 3. Burnie McGrath (Hamilton BHS)

U15 girls
Individual time trial
1.Phoebe Young (Mt Aspiring) 6.16.11 (CR); 2. Hannah Knighton (Waikato Diocesan) 6.22.69; 3. Rebecca Gumbley (Rangitoto) 6.25.95
Hill climb
1.Rebecca Gumbley (Rangitoto) 2.16.06 (CR); 2. Phoebe Young (Mt Aspiring) 2.38.27; 3. Hannah Knighton (Waikato Diocesan) 2.39.27
Criterium
1.Phoebe Young (Mt Aspiring); 2. Katie White (Waikato Diocesan); 3. Hannah Knighton (Waikato Diocesan)
Overall champion
1.Phoebe Young (Mt Aspiring); 2. Rebecca Gumbley (Rangitoto); 3. Hannah Knighton (Waikato Diocesan)

U14 boys
Individual time trial
1.Dylan McCullough (St Kentigern) 5.45.75 (CR); 2. Lachlan Robertson (St Peter's, Cambridge) 5.53.27; 3. Callum Walsh (St Kentigern) 5.54.71
Hill climb
1.Dylan McCullough (St Kentigern) 2.02.54 (CR); Callum Walsh (St Kentigern) 2.10.56; 3. Joshua Kench (Takapuna Grammar) 2.10.73
Criterium
1.Callum Walsh (St Kentigern); 2. Dylan McCullough (St Kentigern); 3. Joshua Kench (Takapuna Grammar)
Overall champion
1.Dylan McCullough (St Kentigern); 2. Callum Walsh (St Kentigern); 3. Lachlan Robertson (St Peter's, Cambridge)

U14 girls
Individual time trial
1.Mckenzie Milne (Waikato Diocesan) 6.23.85 (CR); 2. Ally Wollaston (Baradene) 6.30.50; 3. Ava Morrow (Rangi Ruru Girls') 6.32.38
Hill climb
1.Mckenzie Milne (Waikato Diocesan) 2.38.68; 2. Ally Wollaston (Baradene) 2.39.20; 3. Claudia Spain (Baradene) 2.42.45
Criterium
1.Ally Wollaston (Baradene); 2. Eva Parkinson (Waikato Diocesan); 3. McKenzie Milne (Waikato Diocesan)
Overall champion
1.Mckenzie Milne (Waikato Diocesan); 2. Ally Wollaston (Baradene); 3. Ava Morrow (Rangi Ruru Girls')

Auckland team time trial series race six/finals day
Junior girls (Merv Harland Shield): 1. Baradene A 28.43.00; 2. EGGS A 29.17.00; 3. St Kentigern A 29.19.1
Junior boys (Junior Boys Cup): 1. Takapuna Grammar A 24.11.91; 2. Auckland Grammar A 24.40.72; 3. Auckland Grammar B 26.02.76
Senior girls (Kingsford Cup): 1. St Kentigern A 27.53.80; 2. Diocesan A 28.20.90; 3. Baradene 28.36.80
Senior boys (Bigwood Trophy): 1. St Kentigern A 23.21.49; 2. Auckland Grammar A 23.51.14; Takapuna Grammar A 24.07.07
Fastest time senior boys (James Faulding Memorial Trophy): St Kentigern (CR) race six
Fastest time senior girls (Partridge Cup): Baradene (CR) race one
Under 14 girls: 1. St Kentigern B 32.02.40; 2. Baradene B 33.15.20; 3. St Cuthbert's C 34.47.90
Under 14 boys: 1. St Kentigern 27.48.60; 2. Takapuna Grammar 28.05.30; 3. St Peter's 31.00.20
Top overall school:
Girls: 1. Baradene 25 points, 2. St Kentigern 23, 3. Diocesan 22
Boys: 1. St Kentigern 31, 2. Auckland Grammar 25, 3. Takapuna Grammar 22

Rugby

Stott Cup (North Harbour): Birkenhead 26 Northcote 12

NZ Schools extended squad:
Rieko Ioane, Shaun Stevenson, Sam Ulufonua (Auckland Grammar), Fin Hoeata (Dilworth), Tom Hardy, Jonah Lowe, Shelford Murray (King's), Lona Halaholo (MAGS), D'Angelo Leuila (Papatoetoe), Christian Kelleher, Sosefo Kautai (Sacred Heart), Ereatara Enari, Sam Nock, Sean Paranihi, Paripari Parkinson (St Kentigern), Lisati Milo-Harris, Romero Tagi, Jordan Trainor (St Peter's), Alex Nankivell (Christchurch BHS), Reuben Spicer (Shirley BHS, Christchurch), Mason Kean, Marino Mikaele-Tuu (Hastings BHS), Mason Emerson (Lindisfarne, Hawke's Bay), Caleb Makene (Napier BHS), Max Fryatt (Feilding High),
Hayden Spencer (Palmerston North BHS), Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a (Massey), Brendan Bond (Westlake), Jonah Aoina, Sione Asi, Matt Heffernan, Patelesio Tomkinson (Otago BHS), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Gisborne BHS), Liam Howley, Shaun Stodart (Southland BHS), Quinten Strange (Nelson College), Luke Jacobson (Cambridge HS), Jahrome Brown, Ayden Johnstone, Solomone Tukuafu (Hamilton BHS), Samisoni Taukei'aho (St Paul's, Waikato), Sam Caird (St Peter's, Waikato), Sam Tufuga (Rathkeale College), Brett Cameron (Cullinane College, Wanganui), Anthony Pettett (Newlands College, Wellington), Alex Fidow, Malo Tuitama, TJ Va'a (Scots College, Wellington), Jarrod Adams, Losi Filipo, Lui Okeamoa-Luamanu (St Pat's Silverstream, Wellington)

Weightlifting

New Zealand SS champs:

Best lifter
Boys' 16-years and over: Top 10 Sinclair, Bodyweight, Total, (Snatch, Clean & Jerk)

1. Cameron McTaggart Kristin 306 77.1kg 230kg (108, 122)
2. Cameron Moss Rangitoto 305 61.5kg 210kg (93, 117)
3. Vernon Taylor Auckland Grammar 267 75.7kg 210kg (100, 110)
4. Theo Crombie Auckland Grammar 263 81.7kg 216kg (100, 116)
5. Montel Tivoli Rutherford 262 88.0kg 223kg (97, 126)
6. David Liti One Tree Hill 261 144.8kg 258kg (115, 143)
7. Taio Kawiti Whangarei BHS 257 92.3kg 224kg (98, 126)
8. Brayden Maea-Brown One Tree Hill 256 105.7kg 235kg (105,130)
9. Finau Laurensen Auckland Grammar 254 93.2kg 222kg (97, 125)
10. Rahul Sood Auckland Grammar 251 63.1kg 176kg (76, 100)
Boys' Under 15: Top 5

1. Issac Lawgun Whangarei BHS 190 46.8kg 105kg (46, 59)
2. Dean Par One Tree Hill 180 45.7kg 97kg (43, 54)
3. Sam Sexton Shirley BHS 176 55.4kg 112kg (48, 64)
4. Tavite Tonga Botany Downs 171 71.3kg 130kg (55, 75)
5. John Pensaber Auckland Grammar 163 89.3kg 140kg (65, 75)

Girls' best lifter: Top 5

1. Paige Lawgun Whangarei GHS 164 46.2kg 97kg (43,54)
2. Amy Bielby Botany Downs 160 56.0kg 111kg (45,66)
3. Hazel Latoa Waitakere 159 67.2kg 125kg (56,69)
4. Leshego Mpe Pompallier 154 65.1kg 119kg (52,67)
5. Louise Kelly Nelson Girls' 141 66.4kg 110kg (50,60)
Boys' teams title: 1. Auckland Grammar (25 points), 2. One Tree Hill (17), 3= Whangarei Boys' High and Rangitoto (11)
Girls' team title: Whangarei Girls' High