Day Three of the SI Junior HS Tournament saw the Grand Finalists in three grades get determined
There was a lot of attention focused on the 11:50am round of games on Day Three, with Hillmorton, St. Andrew’s, Marlborough Boys’, and Rangiora all playing, and needing a win, plus the other game result to go their way to claim the final Boys’ A grade semifinal slot. Marlborough ended up with the lucky ticket, pulling away from Rangiora (74-65), and then finding out an injury-riddled Hillmorton team beat St. Andrew’s (75-68).
Nelson College and Shirley Boys’ A are the lone unbeaten teams remaining, and will meet in the Boys’ A Grand Final on Day Four. While John McGlashen and Ashburton College faced each other in their opening game of the tournament, and now meet again in the Grand Final
The Girls’ A grade has three Canterbury Schools meeting in the semi-finals, along with Columba College. (Avonside Girls’ vs Christchurch Girls’, and St. Andrew’s will play Columba). None of the four teams have dropped a game yet, so all four know these games will be a great test.
Trinity Catholic and Waimea College meet in the Girls’ B grade Gand Final, with Waimea having a perfect tournament record to this point, and Trinity winning every game after an opening round loss.
All four Grand Finals are scheduled to tip off at 4:50pm at Saxton Stadium.
Sam Dempster – Of Nelson Giants’ fame (and is the Director of Basketball at Nelson College) has really enjoyed what the tournament has provided for his teams:
“Basketball community is blessed to have you and the rest of the crew that made this tournament happen. (It’s) so awesome to see the junior level of basketball on display in the South Island,
“Thanks for making it happen! “
The tournament draw is continually being updated as all matchups get finalised.
For full tournament information, our dedicated page has everything you need to know.
