An upset set the stage for a “win or go home” match
#5 Rangiora High School shocked the #2 Middleton Grange Gators 86-68 in the Thomson Trophy Division One Playoffs, with a superb performance on both ends of the court in front of numerous onlookers. A 9-0 run that was capped off by a Jack Exter three (38 points) turned a half time lead for the Gators into a lead that Rangiora would hold on to the rest of the game. Middleton Grange turned to a press in the final quarter and closed the gap to five points, but eventually let the visitors pull away. Middleton Grange had ten double-figure scorers in the game (Ben Carlile-Smith 15; Jimmy Williamson 14; Jonte Britten 12; Jarred Burnett 10; Trey Te Awa 10), but allowed Lachie MacFarlane to get 21 in the win to couple with Exeter’s big game.
Noa Price contributed 12 points, as well as being a massive defensive presence blocking shots, and had a tremendous highlight play (above).
After Cashmere Boys defeated St. Andrew’s 92-60, an elimination game between Christchurch Boys’ and the Shirley Boys’ High Spartans took place on Wednesday night, with the winner gaining the right to host Rangiora, and the loser’s season being over. Both teams had almost identical stats – their biggest lead being nine-points each, and largest scoring run being seven. But in the end CBHS escaped with a one-point 67-66 win after a dump off pass from Fletcher Arnold (11p, 7a) inside the final two seconds found Kurt Feneonat the rim (20p, 22r).
Jackson Pauling had 12 off the bench, and Nick Aucutt 11 for CBHS. For the Spartans Joel Jeffrey had 17p 15r, Noah Westwood had 14 points, and Josh Thomson added 10p 9r. Thanks to the NZ Broadcasting School you can watch the entire game here (#MaccasTT game start at 100 minute mark):
https://www.facebook.com/ThomsonAndWhelanTrophies/videos/225596708125021/?t=6075
In the Whelan Trophy Competition St. Andrew’s wrapped up the #1 seed after beating Kaiapoi 68-60, and will host both of the Division One Semi-finals.
Christchurch Girls’ looked to have their game wrapped up with 7:30 remaining, and a 54-40 lead over Rangi Ruru. This is when the wheels fell off, as an 18-0 run for Lori McDaniel’s team saw them leave with a thrilling four-point victory. Sammy Arnold (15p 9r 6s) and Courtney Godinet (10p 8r) stood out for CGHS, while Ashlee Strawbridge (19p 14r 5s) and Millie Knight (10p 12r) stood out for their opponents. This game was also streamed (at the link above).
Middleton Grange couldn’t quite shake off Ashburton until the final stages of their game, but had an 11-2 run which helped them build an insurmountable lead on the way to winning 65-56. Sophie Adams was excellent for the visitors with 23p, while Sofia Kennedy (18p), Sydney Murphy (12p) and Annabel Lapworth (12p) all helped the Gators to a win.
In Division Two of the Whelan Trophy Competition, Lincoln High lead for nearly the entire game against St. Margaret’s, but needed a Sophie Daly bucket to force overtime. Emily Evans scored the final four points in OT for St. Margaret’s (13p) as they left the Selwyn District with an 85-81 win. Kate Herman (35p) again stood out for Lincoln, with Samantha McCrone adding 21p. Eniselina Pale (25p), Madison Eder (19p), Alex Cooper (11p) and Liyah Faga-Ieti (11p) joined Evans in double figures for St. Margaret’s, who will next travel to #2 Ellesmere, while Lincoln will face off against #1 Avonside.
The #1 Avonside Lady Eagles had an easier go this time around against #6 Villa Maria, with Molly Cockburn (31p) helping lead them to a 82-58 win. Megan Shannon (17p) and Jennifer Kee (10p) also featured for Avonside. Georgia Knowles (16p) was joined by Molly Grafton (11p), Isabella Brunel (11p) and Casey Robinson (10p) in the scoring column for Kenny Perkins’ team.
All four #MaccasTT Division two semi-finalist’s won their games, and Ashburton and St. Thomas the right’s to home-court advantage before Finals’ Night, with the Papanui and Cathedral teams travelling.
Macca’s Week Eleven Results
Thomson Division Two
Papanui 75-60 Rangiora New Life
Linwood 110-72 Ellesmere
Ashburton 112-91 Kaiapoi
St. Thomas 84-64 Riccarton
Cathedral 82-64 Lincoln
Thomson Division One
Cashmere 92-60 St. Andrew’s
Rangiora 86-68 Middleton Grange
Christ’s 73-68 Burnside
St. Bede’s 88-82 Hillmorton
Christchurch Boys’ 67-66 Shirley Boys’
Whelan Division Two
St. Margaret’s 85-81 Lincoln (Overtime)
Avonside 82-58 Villa Maria
Marian 79-57 Papanui
Ellesmere 87-45 Hillmorton
Burnside 74-52 Te Pā
Whelan Division One
St. Andrew’s 68-60 Kaiapoi
Middleton Grange 65-56 Ashburton
Rangiora 64-34 Cashmere
Rangi Ruru 58-54 Christchurch Girls’
Picks last week: Whelan 4/4; Thomson 5/5
Year to date: Whelan 73/86; Thomson 79/98
Upcoming Playoff Games – all Tuesday 21 August
Whelan Division II
4:45pm #3 St. Margaret’s @ #2 Ellesmere
5:15pm #4 Lincoln @ #1 Avonside
Whelan Division I
5:15pm #3 Christchurch Girls’ vs #2 Rangi Ruru (hosted at St. Andrew’s)
7:00pm #4 Kaiapoi @ #1 St. Andrew’s
Thomson Division II
5:15pm #3 Papanui @ #2 St. Thomas
6:00pm #4 Cathedral @ #1 Ashburton (at the EA Networks Centre)
Thomson Division I
6:00pm #3 Rangiora @ #2 Christchurch Boys’
7:00pm #4 Middleton Grange @ #1 Cashmere
Finals’ Night – Tuesday 28 August at Cowles Stadium
4:00pm Thomson Division Two Final (Court One)
4:00pm Whelan Division Two Final (Court Two)
5:45pm Whelan Division One Final (Court One)
7:30pm Thomson Division One Fina (Court One)
Food will be available to be purchased throughout the night, and the event is free entry!
