Herewhetu Shelford (14) scores for Wanganui Intermediate at the Aims Games in Tauranga. Photo/Supplied
Herewhetu Shelford (14) scores for Wanganui Intermediate at the Aims Games in Tauranga. Photo/Supplied
The Wanganui Intermediate School boys basketball team has had a promising debut at the NZCT Aims Games in Tauranga with two wins and a narrow loss on day one on Monday.
Unbeaten in two seasons in the Wanganui intermediate competition, WIS continued its winning form thrashing Kohimarama School from Auckland22-14.
WIS deputy principal Lisa Clark, who is accompanying the team, said the first game was a very physical encounter the boys handled well to come away with a solid victory.
The second match on day one against Monrad Intermediate from Palmerston North was also physical and despite keeping themselves in touch with the opposition, the WIS lads went down 28-27.
The final game on Monday against Rotorua's Mokoia Intermediate was pretty much one-way traffic with WIS drawing away for a 42-23 win.
Clark said playing three matches a day was gruelling, but the boys had bounced back well and were looking forward to day two yesterday where they were to play Papamoa College in the morning, Kristin School in the afternoon and then last year's Aims Games basketball runners-up Koromatua School in the evening session.
The WIS boys started the day well, running out convincing 49-11 winners against Papamoa.
Clark said all 12 Wanganui Intermediate players had a decent run in the Papamoa game, although much of the damage was done by those on the bench.
"They all had a run, but the benched players spent most time on court - they are playing really well," Clark said.
"They have been well rested and well fed and they have bounced back really well after an extremely satisfying start to the tournament. Three games a day played in 20-minute halves is a big day for under 13-year-olds.
"We were lucky enough to rent a family home while we're here and it's only five minutes away from the basketball venue."
The week-long championship is New Zealand's largest junior sporting festival, attracting more than 7500 intermediate-aged students across 17 sporting codes this year.
WIS are among 228 schools competing, a sharp jump from last year's 10th anniversary of the Games which boasted 193 schools and 6500 athletes.
Clark said the school had been toying with the idea of sending teams for some time and the unbeaten boys basketball team with its loyal band of supporters was the ideal choice for the school's debut at the games.
The team is coached by Terry Tanua and managed by his wife Tess, while parent Mere Tua is also lending a hand on tour.
