Middleton Grange is proving they should be considered as potential finalists in both the McDonald’s Thomson and Whelan Competitions, with two resounding wins.
The Middleton Grange Girls easily despatched Ashburton College 85-49, and held on to the Phil Burns Cup, after keeping the visitors to only five points in the first quarter. Katie Jo van den Bogaert did not hit a three, but still managed 20p, with Sofia Kennedy (14p) and Annabel Lapworth (12p) also reaching double figures. Sophie Adams was the only bright spot for Ashburton, as she reached 25p.
Kaiapoi just about grabbed an upset win over Rangi Ruru in the Whelan Game of the Week, as they tied the game at 54-54 on a Sinead McConchie (17p) three late in the final quarter, after being down double digits at half time. Sophia Harrison iced the game for Rangi Ruru though, hitting on 7/8 Free Throws as part of her 14p to walk out with a 61-54 win. Kaiapoi’s Helen Matthews (28p) had some looks to close the gap again but could not quite hit, with Ashlee Strawbridge (16p) and Connie Taylor (14p) leading a balanced RR attack.
In Division II, Avonside looks almost assured of a place in the final, surgically dismantling Te Pā o Rākaihautū 68-29. Megan Shannon (16p) and Bella Digby (15p) lead the way for the Lady Eagles, while Neza Rangihuna (11p) also reached double figures for Te Pā. Lincoln High faced a shorthanded Hillmorton team and came away with a 72-36 win. Samantha McCrone (16p) was joined by Kate Herman (13p) and Sophie Daly (10p) in scoring double figures for Lincoln, while Kennedy Vallance (15p) and Lynnette Sakaria (13p) paced Hillmorton.
Lincoln High School’s Boys also came out of the round with a win, beating Hornby 96-80. Cody Wareham (33p) was joined by two other scorers over twenty points (Kyle Koster 21p, Jamie Atkinson 20p), and another teammate also hit double figures (Jeriko Selda 10p). Hornby had three big scorers themselves (Guy Cooper 25p, Arturo Ancero 20p, Rylu Dequita 18p), but saw a tight three point game in the third quarter get out of hand.
In the biggest surprise of the round, it wasn’t the fact that the Gators beat Burnside, but rather the margin by which they did – winning 108-52. A big 25-10 second quarter was followed by an even more comprehensive 34-10 third, and it was effectively game-over for Burnside. Harry Roth (23p) and Ben Carlile-Smith (20p) led the way for Middleton, with Jarred Burnett (17p) and Fabian Hoekendijk (14p) adding scoring punch. Jayden Cameron (10p) and Isaiah Morris (12p) the only bright spots in the loss for the visitors.
Cashmere will have the Dowson Cup up for grabs against CBHS ahead of the Rams’ game on June 8, while Christ’s College had another extremely close win in the Thomson Game of the Week, this time over St. Bede’s 92-83, despite Caleb Conyers (28p) hitting on 8/15 of his attempts from three.
Week Four Results
Whelan Division II
Avonside 68-29 Te Pā o Rākaihautū
Lincoln 72-36 Hillmorton
Ellesmere 72-57 Marian
St. Margaret’s 72-40 Papanui
Villa Maria 58-46 Burnside
Whelan Division I
Middleton Grange 85-49 Ashburton
St. Andrew’s 70-49 Rangiora
Rangi Ruru 61-54 Kaiapoi
Thomson Division II
St. Thomas 103-53 Kaiapoi
Cathedral 107-84 Ellesmere
Lincoln 96-80 Hornby
Papanui 80-68 Ashburton
Linwood 88-79 Rangiora New Life
Thomson Division I
Shirley Boys’ 110-35 Hillmorton
Christ’s 92-83 St. Bede’s
Middleton Grange 108-52 Burnside
Rangiora 78-64 St. Andrew’s
Picks last week: Whelan 8/8; Thomson 5/9
Year to date: Whelan 27/32; Thomson 25/37
Upcoming Games. Picks are underlined:
Thomson Division II
Tuesday 5 June 7pm Kaiapoi @ Riccarton
Thomson Division I
Friday 7 June 4:30pm Christchurch Boys’ vs Cashmere (Curtain-Raiser for Rams vs Saints at Horncastle Arena)
