Premier A Match Reports

Premier A Basketball v St Pat's Town 5/5/10

Loss 74 - 82

In the inaugural exchange versus St Pat's Town Premier A, the school was confident of performing well against a traditionally strong side. Played in the school gym, the team unfortunately began slowly and allowed St Pat,s to control the tempo in the first half. Some basic errors on offence and a lack of communication on defence meant the team was playing catch up basketball. To their credit, an increase in defensive tempo in the second half meant the team closed the gap to 6 points. However, some poor shooting at crucial times in the fourth quarter meant that St Pat's eased away to win 82 - 74. There were many positives from the team's performance, but some key areas still need to be worked on and the team needs to respond to this challenge in the coming weeks

v Freyberg, 7/5/10, Win 148 - 46

With a full squad available, the team used the game as an opportunity to work on combinations both on offence and defence. For long periods of the game, the team's pressure was too much for the opposition and the challenge now is to ensure this is maintained for the remainder of the season.

v Feilding High School, 30/4/10

The team, depleted due to the dual entry in the Wellington League, made a positive start, moving out to a 15 point lead early in the first quarter. The team then worked to ensure that basic plays were executed and comfortably maintained their early lead. The final result was a comfortable 52-32 victory, with all players contributing well.

v St Pat's Warriors, 30/4/10

The team had high hopes that the Wellington League would provide them with the necessary competition in order to improve their skills and that all players could gain valuable experience. However, a miscommunication lead to the team being entered into a social secondary league rather than the preferred Premier competition. The team to their credit fulfilled their obligations and played a high standard of basketball, not allowing the lower skill level of the opposition to affect their performance. The team executed well and ran out comfortable 120 - 16 winners.

St Pat's Invitational 18April

v St Pat's   L 42 - 52

A positive start gave the team an early lead against challenging opposition. However, a lack of composure in the second half meant that the earlier hard work was squandered. The final result was disappointing, but will prove to be a valuable lesson for future encounters

v Rongatai College   W 64 - 36

The team was determined to learn from their first game and play more consistently against slightly weaker opposition. A more sustained effort and improving basic execution led to a comfortable win.

v Wellington College   W 57 - 54

A virtual quarter final, the team knew the importance of starting well against their traditional rivals. The team asserted control early and, despite allowing an early lead to fade away, they managed to hold on, ensuring themselves a place in the semi finals.

v St John's (Semi Final)    L 45 - 68

A less than ideal pre-game warm up meant the team was slow to start against strong opposition. A lack of defensive pressure allowed St John's shooters free shots, leaving the team with too large a margin to come back from.

v Hastings Boys' High (3^rd and 4^th Playoff)   W 63 - 49

A challenging game for the team, but a positive attitude meant the early lead was maintained throughout. A much improved defensive effort denied Hastings any momentum and the team gradually gained offensive confidence and ended up with a very positive result.

Wanganui Classic, 2/5/10

v Wanganui High School    W 66 - 61

The team faced a tough challenge from the first tip off, with the Wanganui High School team running hard on offence and putting the team under pressure when they had the ball. A narrow half time lead had turned into a 6 point deficit by three quarter time, but the team had begun to apply pressure of their own and the WHS team began to allow this to affect their own play. The team's composure proved valuable in the final quarter, with sensible decisions and accurate free throw shooting allowing the team to record a narrow victory.

v Taranaki Country    W 81 - 29

After a lethargic first game, the team was determined to improve their overall effort. An early lead was established, and the team maintained a high standard of play and never allowed the opposition into the game. With all players getting good court time, a comfortable result was achieved.

v Hastings Boys'      W 103 - 52

Against traditional Super 8 rivals, a complete team effort was required if the tournament was to be finished well. In the first half the team played well at times, but struggled to maintain consistency. In a free scoring second half the team's fast break game eventually took over, and a comfortable victory was achieved, capping a successful weekend.

Western Heights Invitational Tournament

v John Paul College     W 72-18

The 2010 Premier A team made a slow and slightly nervous start, with plenty of subs making it difficult for some players to settle, against a small but enthusiastic opposition. As combinations began to gel, defensive pressure began to tell as the team built a comfortable 33-8 lead at halftime. All players managed good court time, with all new team members making positive contributions, in a comprehensive 72-18 win.

v Thames High School    W 79-37

After a slow start in their opening game, the team was determined to make a better start, but basic errors and a lack of composure on the ball meant a scratchy 32-21 lead was built at halftime. A stern but inspirational half time talk led to a much improved second half performance. The team played with high intensity and this increased pressure allowed the team to record a comfortable 79-37 victory.

v Hamilton Boys'      L 36-45

Another slow start against a fellow Super 8 school, meant that the team had to battle for early points. Despite a number of basic errors being committed, the team managed to stay with Hamilton for the first three quarters. Unfortunately poor finishing and a lack of intensity at times, allowed Hamilton to lead early in the fourth quarter, a lead that they held until the final whistle.

v St John's - Semi Final      W 45-42

An organizational error led to 5 minutes being lost at the beginning of the game, something that shook the team's preparation. A larger opposition adjusted better to the changed scenario and raced to a 10 point half time lead. Improved patience and an increase in defensive pressure meant the team slowly clawed back, finally taking a slender lead half way through the fourth quarter. Ice cool free throw shooting from Ryan Funnell and Michael Clarke and smart manipulation of the clock, resulted in a well-timed and hard fought victory.

v Hamilton Boys' - Final       L 43-63

The team were confident that the re match against Hamilton Boys' would be a much more even contest, riding on momentum from the semi final the night before. Both teams made positive starts, but the team fell off their defensive roles and allowed Hamilton's shooters to score several crucial baskets. Despite closing to within 6 points during the third quarter, the team was never realistically in the contest from that point on, but to their credit continued to toil and their effort is to be commended.