We’re down to the final eight teams in the McDonald’s Thomson and Whelan Competitions
The 20 August games have been scheduled to allow fans to see most of each game in their respective competition (or both games for teams from the same school) – read on about who is still alive.
Thomson Trophy Division I
#1 Middleton Grange made sure that last year’s upset loss in the playoffs wasn’t repeated this year, blowing out #8 Rangiora 94-69 on the back of 26 points from Trey Te Awa (which was matched by Noa Price from Rangiora)
#6 Shirley caused the only upset – edging away from #3 St. Andrew’s in the fourth quarter to win by a deceptively large margin 89-68, in what was an extremely close game for over three quarters.
#7 St. Bede’s College acquitted themselves well against #2 Cashmere, holding the lead in the second quarter, and keeping constant pressure on their taller opponents. Cashmere did hold serve, 91-76 in the end.
On Wednesday #5 St. Thomas looked to be moving on, up 21 points just before half time, but #4 Christ’s College grabbed the lead near the end of the fourth quarter with a 14-3 run, eventually winning 83-73.
Semi Final Matchups:
5:30pm #6 Shirley Boys’ High at #1 Middleton Grange
7:00pm #4 Christ’s College at #2 Cashmere
Whelan Trophy Division I
#1 Christchurch’ Girls’ High knocked back the #8 Avonside Girls’ High challenge, 66-47, a stark turnaround from when the teams met last week in their Quadrangular tournament, which had a much closer margin.
#2 Kaiapoi was too much for #7 Ashburton, with Helen Matthews running the show for her team against fellow Wildcat Sophie Adams. Matthews will be away with the NZ 3×3 team until the day before the Grand Final, so will be hoping her team can take care of business in her absence.
#5 Rangiora upsetting #4 St. Andrew’s 66-62 was a precursor to the StAC Boys also losing their Quarter Final Match
#3 Rangi Ruru (sans Ashlee Strawbridge) had just enough to hold off the #6 Gators’ fight 69-63, with Millie Knight leading the way for her team (24p 13r). like Helen Matthews, Ashlee Strawbridge is also away representing NZ, so both teams will be somewhat weaker than normal when they play each other.
Semi Final Matchups:
5:15pm #3 Rangi Ruru at #2 Kaiapoi High
7:00pm #5 Rangiora at #1 Christchurch Girls’
Thomson Trophy Division II
With no Quarter Final round in this competition, we had three of the top four all set before the last round of games, and Papanui will be feeling confident with their matchup being the same team they took care of last week, while Lincoln and Cathedral is expected to be an extremely high scoring game.
Semi Final Matchups:
5:00pm #4 Linwood at #1 Papanui
7:00pm #3 Cathedral at #2 Lincoln
Whelan Trophy Division II
This competition had two pools, with the top two teams from each pool making it through to play for a chance to be in the final.
Semi Final Matchups:
5:15pm #2B Villa Maria at #1A Lincoln
7:00pm #2A Papanui at #1B Burnside
