Despite needing to play the game under level two restrictions, all four teams brought a limited number of supporters who made up for their relative lack in numbers with a lot of noise for their chosen team.
Lincoln High had an unbeaten season on the line, against a well-drilled Cashmere team (who had only dropped one game all year themselves!)
A back and forth first quarter went Lincoln’s way with a seven-nothing run, who were able to build on this in the second quarter – going into the half time break up by 13 points.
Cashmere struggled to contain Kate Herman and Samantha McCrone in the third quarter, as Lincoln started to run away with the game. Amelia Cunnigham did a good job navigating the LHS defence on her way to 20 points, but ultimately Dave Harrison’s Cashmere team succumbed to a well-deserving Lincoln team, with Kate Herman being named as the Finals MVP.
Lincoln High School 92 (Kate Herman 22, 14 rebounds; Samantha McCrone 21, 11 rebounds; Jessie Riley 13; Sophie Withell 11; Holly Sowerby 10:
Cashmere High School 61 (Amelia Cunningham 20; Indi Beeforth 16, 13 rebounds; Anika Grzeta-Eddington)
In the McDonald’s Thomson Division II Final, Rangiora New Life was the decided underdog against a relatively young Rolleston College team.
A highly entertaining first half was played between the two teams, with Rolleston having the slight edge (but never getting more than single-figures away from RNLS).
New Life had the best out of the third quarter gate, where a three-point bucket by Benjamin Wildey gave his team a two point lead. Cooper Johnson and Liam Jack were huge defensively for Rolleston, helping spark a 17-2 run to answer. Eventually Rolleston’s difference in depth was too much for RNLS to overcome. Cooper Johnson selected as Finals MVP, after a stellar offensive and defensive game.
Rolleston College 89 (Cooper Johnson 38, 7 steals; Thomas Fitzgibbon 13; Luke Barrett 12, 10 rebounds; Liam Jack 11, 15 rebounds)
Rangiora New Life 68 (Benjamin Wildey 22; Daniel Wildey 15; Bayley Smith 14, 14 rebounds; Joshua Thornton 11, 9 rebounds)
