The Whelan Top Four has now been found, with a tiebreaker being needed for the final position.
Kaiapoi was the big winner on the night in the McDonald’s Whelan Trophy Competition, winning by 27 points over their North Canterbury Neighbours from Rangiora. Equally important for Kaiapoi’s hopes, Christchurch Girls’ knocked out Middleton Grange 65-52. Despite being down 21-12 at the end of the first quarter, the Gators used balanced scoring from Annabel Lapworth (12), Katie Jo Van den Bogaert (11), Sofia Kennedy (10) and Fia Lai Kong (10), to jump ahead 43-45 at the end of three quarters. CGHS’ Olivia McIntyre (30), Sammy Arnold (13) and Violet Eaton (12) helped spark an 11-0 run to retake the lead, and hung on to finalise their place in the Top Four.
Rangi Ruru and St. Andrew’s join Kaiapoi and Christchurch Girls’ when they battle for semi-final seedings in term Three.
In Division II, Ellesmere welcomed Megan Ellis (Middleton Grange 2017) to their line-up, and dealt Avonside their first defeat of the season, 63-58 – setting up a very interesting last few rounds with four teams (Avonside, Ellesmere, Lincoln, St. Margaret’s) all tied at 6-1. Lincoln High got there by virtue of a comprehensive 83-30 win over Papanui. Kate Herman led the way with 22 points, while her sister Mandy had 14. Samantha McCrone also had a twenty-point game (21) for the winners.
In the Thomson Trophy Ihaia Kendrew had another big scoring week, with 36 against the Gators. Hillmorton were able to stay close to Gators through the first half – only down 48-44, with Ihaia Cox-Winiata’s and Jacob Milne’s 10 scoring ten points each. Ben Carlile-Smith (27) with Trey Te Awa (14) and Harry Roth (12) extended the Gators’ lead to 11 after three quarters, and then pushed it out to 18 at the final buzzer, 92-74.
Round Nine in Term Three sets up some compelling games, with Cashmere, Middleton Grange and Shirley Boys’ all guaranteed to make the Quarter-finals, only three spots remain to be claimed. Christchurch Boys’, Christ’s College, Rangiora, and St. Andrew’s are all in contention for the final three spaces, with one team guaranteed to be disappointed.
Rangi Ruru and Cashmere High retained the Phil Burns’ and Dowson Cups respectively, with only Rangi Ruru needing to physically take the court against Cashmere to defend the cup. There are no games scheduled over the school holidays, or week one of Term Three, so Tuesday July 31 is the next date for our competitions to back in earnest.
Week Eight Results
Whelan Division II
Ellesmere 63-58 Avonside
Lincoln 83-30 Papanui
Villa Maria 54-25 Marian
Hillmorton 62-33 Burnside
Whelan Division I
St. Andrew’s 76-47 Cashmere
Rangi Ruru 77-41 Cashmere
Kaiapoi 77-48 Rangiora
Christchurch Girls’ 65-52 Middleton Grange
St. Andrew’s 81-57 Ashburton
Thomson Division II
St. Thomas 92-59 Linwood
Ashburton 86-65 Ellesmere
Lincoln 78-76 Rangiora New Life
Riccarton 101-76 Hornby
Cathedral 103-76 Kaiapoi
Thomson Division I
Shirley Boys’ 75-64 Rangiora
Christ’s 85-69 St. Andrew’s
Middleton 92-74 Hillmorton
Cashmere 20-0 Burnside (default)
Picks last week: Whelan 8/9; Thomson 8/9
Year to date: Whelan 52/61; Thomson 60/77
