With no Miles Toyota Premier League Games, Bruce Martin reports on the Men’s U23 and U20 competitions
Club Basketball collated and written by Bruce Martin and James Lissaman, photo courtesy Arjan van Hasselt
Men’s Under 23 Competition
Competition was fierce in the Men’s Under 23 when Gators Green and University clashed in a top-of-the-table encounter, and it took extra-time to separate the two sides with UC sneaking home 89-86.
Simon Reeves led the University challenge with a workman-like 33 points while the ever-elusive Josh Petermann worked his magic, slotting 21 points. Rohan Russo used his height to gain much-needed ball for the students, adding 15 points. Gators Green replied with 23 points from Ben Carlile-Smith while Sam Lees contributed a handy 18 points.
Gators had a slight edge in the first half, leading 24-18 at the first break but University reduced the deficit at the turnaround, trailing 39-43. The students edged out a small advantage in the third quarter to lead 59-56 by the third break and after the game was tied 68-68 it was basket for basket with both sides looking for a way to break the deadlock. Closing in on the buzzer Gators lead 76-74 but the students forced overtime.
More basket for basket action in the extra period saw the students slightly ahead and eventually take the game 89-86.
Wolverines held onto third place with 16 points, despite an undignified 81-92 loss to the Atami Spartans. In a race for a top eight placing four teams, Lincoln University Bulls, Atami, Pioneer Cashmere and Checkers all have 15 points with the Spartan holding onto eighth spot on 13 points while Pioneer Pacers has its work cut out with a 1-9 record.
University vs Gators Green
University 89 (Simon Reeves 33, Josh Petermann 21, Rohan Russo 15, Jesse Campbell 13) Gators Green 86 (Ben Carlile-Smith 23, Sam Lees 18, Matt Mischewski 12) in extra-time. HT: 43-39, FT 76-76, OT UC 89-86
Pioneer Pacers v Checkers
Checkers 103 (Sam Riley 30, Joshua Lowe 23, Jack Ansell 19) Pioneer Pacers 66 (Hamish Hobbs 20, Isaiah McLeod 16). HT: 52-37.
Wolverines v Atami Spartans
Atami Spartans 92 (Blake Cunninghame 22, Jayden Watkinson 18, Wiremu Waaka 16, Joel Jeffrey 14, Mona Faitaua-Nanai 13) Wolverines 81 (Amosa Faitaua-Nanai 22, Jacob Cromb 17, Ben Hussey 12). HT: Wolverines 47-39.
Atami v Pioneer-Cashmere
Pioneer-Cashmere 81 (Nic Wenmoth 34, Fin Barclay 14, Tom Webley 12) Atami 77 (Andre Tamagushiku 26, Patrick Rodger 20). HT: Atami 43-40.
Placings after 10 rounds: University 20, Gators Green 18, Wolverines 16, Lincoln University Bulls 15 (9), Atami 15, Checkers 15, Pioneer-Cashmere 15, Atami Spartans 13, Pioneer Pacers 11.
Men’s Under 20A
Another hotly contested section of the competition is the Men’s Under 20. The A section has just been increased to 13 teams with North Canterbury and UC Christs College added to the mix.
Pioneer-Cashmere 79 Gators Green 77
Pioneer-Cashmere leads the pool with an unbeaten nine wins after it recorded a nail biting 79-77 come from behind win over middle of the table Gators Green, while second placed Gators thumped double defending champion Burnside-Checkers 84-47.
Pioneer-Cashmere 79 (Lucas Williams 18, Joshua Dela Cruz 17, Finn Barclay 14) Gators Green 77 (Ah Li Fenika 21, Jonte Britten 17, Carlton Chitongo 17, Harry Roth 16). HT: 42-37.
North Canterbury-Rangiora 75 North Canterbury 65
The combined North Canterbury – Rangiora high side shares third place all on 13 points alongside University and St. Bede’s – Checkers but has played an extra game.
In a very tight encounter North Canterbury – Rangiora, spearheaded by a polished 34 points from Jack Exeter had its work cut out against fellow side North Canterbury. The combined side led the first quarter 27-20 and was ahead 40-36 at the turn around. Jordan Mann (16) and Canaan Tarawa (15) helped North Canterbury to level the game 54-54 while Lachlan McFarlane did some damage for the Rangiora boys with 11 points as the combined side took a narrow 64-60 third quarter lead. NC Rangiora then finished the stronger to win the encounter 75-65.
University 80 Pioneer Yellow 71
University 80 (Ben Aicken 22, Kane Greenfield 20, Isaiah Smiler 14) Pioneer Yellow 71 (Hamish Hobbs 38, Gareth Hunt 16). HT: 46-34.
St Bede’s-Checkers 74 UC- Christs College 70
St Bede’s-Checkers 74 (Tom Hughes 27, Caleb Conyers 16) UC Christs College 70 (Will De Geest 22, Nale Fifita 15). HT: UC-CC 38-35.
Atami Spartans 107 Wolverines 47
Atami Spartans 107 (Blake Cunninghame 47, Robson Chaza 17) Wolverines 47 (Arama Thompson-Ruka 14). HT: 54-14.
Gators 84 Burnside-Checkers 47
Gators 84 (Joshua Nickel 17, Sam Tang 15) Burnside-Checkers 47 (Jayden Cameron 13, Stephen Li 11). HT: 38-19.
Placings with games played in parenthesis: Pioneer-Cashmere 18 (9), Gators 15 (8), NC Rangiora 13 (9), University 13 (8), St Bede’s-Checkers 13 (8), Pioneer-Yellow 12 (8), Gators Green 12 (8).
