Back-to-Back Auckland Championships for Premier Basketball

16 September 2011

The Premier basketballers were over on the North Shore on Friday night hoping to retain the Auckland Championship that they won last year.
 

Up against Westlake in the final, the team started slowly, missing baskets and allowing Westlake too much space inside the key. Down by six at the quarter, Grammar had a better second spell, pulling to within three points, but were still not tight enough on defence - something that Westlake continued to exploit as they were given too many open shots.
 

The third quarter was tense and low-scoring - the result of nerves, good defence, and officious refereeing - but Grammar edged ahead 51-50. The final quarter was similarly tight with the lead exchanging hands a few times, but with Grammar leading by four with 90 seconds remaining, Mohottige sank a game-breaking three-pointer on the 24-second buzzer. Grammar held on for a 70-64 win and back-to-back Auckland titles for the first time since 1984/85.

It was a gutsy second-half defensive effort by the boys, and good reward for the season. Kelly and Mohottige were stand-outs, but special mention needs to be made of Ashby and Te Rangi. Both boys were members of the New Zealand 3-on-3 basketball side that won the Youth World Championships last weekend, and to have them back for the final just five hours after getting off a 30-hour flight from Italy was a huge psychological boost for the team. The fact that Ashby managed to win MVP for the final was especially impressive.
 

National Tournament - August 2011 

The Premier basketballers fell at the final hurdle in their attempt to win the national championship, losing the final to Rosmini College by 65 points to 82.

The boys had worked hard all week to be the best defensive team in the competition, and until the final they didn't once concede 60 points, accounting for last year's champions Fraser High along the way. Only New Plymouth Boys in the semi-final managed to get within a 20-point margin.

However, in the final, the team lost that intensity despite leading by 21 to 8 at the end of the first quarter. Grammar allowed the strong Rosmini shooters too much space and ended up paying for it as they sank several three-pointers and looked hungrier for rebounds.

Obviously it was a hugely disappointing result for the lads, who were hoping to become the first Grammar team to win the national championship since 1979; however their second placing nonetheless makes them the most successful since then.

Ashby and Te Rangi both made the tournament team and congratulations go to them, but Mohottige, Young, and Manners were all just as influential throughout, while Were, Fahrensohn, and Kelly were instrumental in helping to maintain momentum off the bench. Duff, Wood, Tana, and McMillan were given time in pool play and in the quarter-finals and didn't disappoint with their energy and intensity.

Final placings:

Rosmini College 1; Auckland Grammar 2; Westlake Boys 3; New Plymouth Boys 4.

Results:

Bt St Pats (Wellington) 81-53
Bt Cashmere (Christchurch) 74-49
Bt Nayland (Nelson) 88-56
Bt St. Kentigern's (Auckland) 99-57
Bt Fraser High (Hamilton) 71-48
[QF] Bt Hamilton Boys 77-45
[SF] Bt New Plymouth Boys 71-55
[F] Lt Rosmini (North Shore) 65-82