Club Basketball Semi-Finals Report by Bruce Martin

North Canterbury and University of Canterbury will meet in this Saturday’s Grand Final of the Women’s Premier grade club basketball championship after contrasting semi-finals in Cowles Stadium on Saturday. North Canterbury, playing in its first season in the Premier competition and consisting of players with roots in North Canterbury, outplayed Halswell 69-51. 

In the other semi-final two very determined sides meet, first time defending champion Lincoln University came up against Canterbury University, Patron’s trophy and championship winner seven times since 2006 and, led by the experienced Canterbury Wildcat Pip Connell, University repulsed a late comeback in the final quarter by Lincoln to win 62-58 and claim a Grand final berth against North Canterbury this Saturday, UC’s 10^th  final since 2006.

The Men’s Premier Grand final is between Hoban trophy winner Wolverines up against the highly experienced Atami while Wolverines will also challenge the unbeaten Lincoln University Bulls in the Men’s Under 23 Grand final.

North Canterbury started strongly, running the ball at speed against a determined Halswell defence. North Canterbury were playing without four key players overseas or injured but their young Rangiora High players made up for that with grit a determination including Courtney Tyler who shot several triples in her 20 points. While Wildcats coach Lori McDaniel played an anchor role at the back, it was the talented Hayley Gray that led the way for North Canterbury slotting four three-pointers in her 25 points and setting the teams moves. Jenna Heap and Rosie O’Shea chased the ball at every move as Halswell began to threaten. For Halswell the dimunitive Nao Matsui had a busy game with 11 points while a Marinda Van Vuuren led Halswell’s scoring with 15 points. After leading 36-23 at the turnaround North Canterbury piled on the points in a busy third-quarter to lead 57-35 at the next break and wasn’t extended in the last quarter.

Honours were very even in the first half with University going to the break ahead of Lincoln 32-27 and piled on the pressure in the third quarter to extend its lead to 52-40. Connell would have been MVP as she marshalled all her young charges to repel some strong and determined LU moves. She shot a vital 22 points and took 14 rebounds while Ashlee Rigter lifted her game to finish with 12. For Lincoln, Maja Burry was a busy beaver all around the court scoring 14 points while Fran Edmondson drove the lanes for her 15 points. Courtney Hamblin tried to keep Lincoln in the game, slotting several triples and finishing with 12 while Shea Crotty also sunk two in her 11 points. A strong third quarter gave University a handy 52-40 lead at the final break, Lincoln fought back bravely in the final quarter but ran out of time, when a Hamblin jumper to tie the game surprised everyone by bouncing out.

Results were:

WOMEN’S PREMIER Championship Semi-Finals:

North Canterbury 69 (Hayley Gray 25, Tyler Courtney 20) Halswell (Marinda Van Vuuren 15, Nao Matsui 11). HT: 36-23. Canterbury University 62 (Pip Connell 22, 14R,  Ashlee Rigter 12) Lincoln University 58 (Fran Edmondson 15, Maja Burry 14, Courtney Hamblin 12, Shea Crotty 11). HT: 32-27. Grand Finalists this Saturday: North Canterbury v Canterbury University

 

Other grades Semi-Finals

Burnside High school, coached by Joe Hammond, has made the Men’s Under 20 Grand Final for the fourth consecutive year (winning the title in 2012 and 2014) after it pulled away from Gators Green in the second half to win 84-55 in the semi-final. The athletic Toby Gillooly (29) made most of his chances for Burnside with support from TK Cooper with 16 points.

In the other semi-final University had too much firepower for Rangiora High school, a strong second quarter taking them to a 41-30 lead at the break. Rangiora made a strong third-quarter fightback with a 25-13 run to sneak in front 55-54 through the efforts of James Bolton (12), Jordan Mann (20) and Gus Janssen with 16 points but the combined power of Josh Campbell (22), Jack Ansell (20) and Tom Davison with 12 enabled University to edge clear to a 78-73 win and a place in the Grand Final against Burnside.

In the Under 17 Boys Semi’s Shirley Spartans settled early to lead Rangiora High 18-11 but the country team took the game to Shirley with a 27-18 run in the second quarter through the efforts of Jake Millar (21) and Ben Hall 17 points. Rangiora continued to pull away in the second spell to win 76-60 while Sean Kelly (18) endeavoured to keep Shirley in touch.

In the other semi a game of skill and speed saw Burnside High capture a second Grand finals berth for the school when it outpointed a gritty Cashmere High 102 points to 91. Isaiah Morris showed immense potential for Burnside with a great range of skills, slotting 23 points before an arm injury forced him from the court late in the game. He had good support from John Quitiong and Liam Renke. For Cashmere Connor McLaughlan also showed some classy skills with his 17 points while Jake Beaven with 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists and Mitch Mahon (19) kept Cashmere in the hunt until Burnside pulled away in the last quarter.

Men’s Division One trophy will have a new champion engraved on it this year after Placemakers, the defending champion was knocked out by Atami 72-65 despite the efforts of long term campaigners Gareth Costley (18) and Andrew Gebbie (15 points). Last year’s defeated finalist Pilipinas Askals, now rebranded 2Cheap Cars also accounted for Gators White 81-75, so bring your earmuffs with you at Cowles in the 4pm Grand Final as Atami clashes with 2Cheap cars.

It is Royals turn to again claim the Women’s Division one title this season. Royals still under the leadership of matriarch Cathy Hyland has been in six previous finals since 2008 but only claimed the trophy in 2009 and 2013. On Sunday it defeated arch-rival Minties comfortably 70-41. Minties beat Royals in last years final while Royals prevailed over Minties in the 2013 Final. Royals will meet first time finalist University, after they accounted for Royals Dark Horses 63-51, a side that its only losses this season has been to Royals, the first of three occasions saw them lose by just four points. Spearheading the Royals quest for victory is evergreen Jo Casey who slotted 30 points on Saturday. University on the other hand have much fresher legs with Letitia Mullaly (19), Ella Smit (12) and Kate Dore 11 points ready to challenge the mighty Royals.

 

Results were:

Men’s Under 20 Semi-Finals: Burnside HS 84 (Toby Gillooly 29, TK Cooper 16) Gators Green 55 (Ash Adamson 12, George Klomp 12). HT: 35-30. University 78 (Josh Campbell 22, Jack Ansell 20, Tom Davison 12) Rangiora HS 73 (Jordan Mann 20, Gus Janssen 16, James Bolton 12). HT: 41-30. Grand Finalists this Saturday: Burnside HS v University of Canterbury.

 

Boys’ Under 17 Top 6 Semi-Finals: Rangiora HS 76 (Jake Millar 21, Ben Hall 17, Jordan Mann 10) Shirley Spartens A 60 (Sean Kelly 18, Oscar Toone 10, Joel Jeffrey 10). HT: 38-36. Burnside Black102 (Isaiah Morris 23, Liam Reekie 21, John Quitiong 19, TK Cooper 18) Cashmere HS 91 (Mitch Mahon 19, 10R, Reuben Stanley 19, Connor McLaughlan 17, 4S, Jake Beaven 17, 11R, 4A). HT: 56-52. Grand Finalists this Saturday: Rangiora HS v Burnside Black.

 

Boys’ Under 17 Development grade Grand Final: Christchurch Boys HS Blue 65 (Kurt Feneon 22, Alfie Robinson 12, Solomona Faitaua-Nanai 11) Christs College 50 (Oban Sykes 16, Sam Julian 10). HT: Christs 34-32. 

P/off 3rd: St Bedes Coll 78 (Tom Hughes 21, Caleb Conyers 20, Richie Lugtu 14) Rangiora NLS Eagles 61 (Braydon Reanecke 29, Soly Tarawa 10). HT: . P/off 5^th: Cashmere Maroon 90 (Nic Wenmoth 24) Gators White 72 (Seth Bryant 17), P/off 7^th: St Andrews Coll 65 (Johnie Clay 20, William Hollings 14) Papanui HS 51 (Sam Archibald 25, Arama Thompson-Ruka 13).

 

Boys Under 15 Semi 2v3:  Wharenui Gators 87 (Colin Robins 36, Al-Li Fenika 16, Alfie Robinson 14) Shirley Spartens 82 (Jayden Watkinson 22, Oscar Toone 20, Josh Thomson 19, Tyriece Tu Liau 13). HT: 41-40. Play-off 5^th place: Christchurch Boys HS Blue 77 (Thomas Webley 25, Harrison McDonald 18, Ben Harding 16) North Canterbury 73 (Canaan Tarawa 18, Grayson Hetherington 18, Ryan Sangster 10). HT: 40-36. Grand Finalists this Saturday: Cashmere HS v Wharenui Gators.

 

Men’s Division One Semi-finals: Atami 72 (Jason Pudle 17, Troy Russell 14) Placemakers 65 (Gareth Costley 18, Andrew Gebbie 15), 2Cheap Cars 81 Ruel Gantalao 21, Andy Blancia 20, Ariel Mepana 13) Gators White Matty Wingham 15, Simon Morris 15, Hamish Williams 14). Grand Finalists this Saturday: Atami v 2Cheap Cars.

 

Womens Division one: Royals 70 (Jo Evergreen Casey 30, Juantia Gear 12) Minties 41 (Estelle Uren 19), University 63 (Lettitia Mullally 19, Ella Smit 12, Kate Dore 11) Royals Dark Horses 51 (Helen Neighbours 28). Grand Finalists this Saturday: Royals v University.

 

Women’s Under 20 Semi-Final: Rangi Ruru GS 58 (Bailey Chamberlain 17, Lotte Eglinton 11) Halswell 53 (Rose Clarkson 14). P/off 4/5^th: Gators Jnr Women 100 (Megan Ellis 28, Rachel Pullan 22, Sofia Kennedy 17, Gemma Hickson 17) Avonside Royals 35(Alice Clarkson 15, Shanti Smith 12). Grand Finalists this Saturday: Burnside HS v Rangi Ruru GS.

 

Girls U16 semi-finals: Checkers 59 Wharenui Gators 55, Rangi Ruru 60 (Grace Eglinton 15, Millie Knight 11, Bailey Chamberlain 11) Halswell 30 (Ruth Metua 9). Grand Finalists this Saturday: Checkers v Rangi Ruru.

 

Remember - we're hosting our 2015 Awards night much closer to the end of the season this year (next Thursday!) This will cover club awards only, and will have some finger food provided (as well as your first drink included in your ticket!) Clubs should contact Katie to book tickets as soon as possible.

 

SEE YOU ALL AT COWLES STADIUM PAGES RD TO SUPPORT YOUR TEAM

2015 Grand Finals Day

Saturday, 19 September 2015

Defending Champions from 2014 Bolded

 

Date/Time	Cowles 1	Cowles 2
8:00 AM	All-Stars Y5/6 Girls Bishopdale YMCA vs Wharenui Gators	All-Stars Y5/6 Boys Pioneer  Pacers  vs   Bishopdale YMCA
9:15 AM	All-Stars Y7/8 Boys North Canterbury Tar Heals  vs  Wharenui  Gators	All-Stars Y7/8 Girls North Canterbury Tar Heals   vs  Wharenui  Gators
10:45 AM	U20 Women Rangi Ruru GS vs Burnside HS	U17 Boys Top grade Rangiora HS vs Burnside HS Black
12:30 PM	U23 M Lincoln Uni Bulls vs Wolverines	U15 Boys Wharenui Gators vs Cashmere HS
2:15 PM	U20 M University Cty  vs Burnside HS	U16 Girls Rangi Ruru GS vs Checkers
4:00 PM	D1M 2 Cheap Cars vs Atami	Division 1 Women Royals vs   University Cty
5:45 PM	W Premier Nth Canterbury  vs  University Cty
7:30 PM	M Premier Atami vs Wolverines