Basketballers reach new heights
The under-18 boys team reached the Mainland final. Photo supplied.
Marlborough teams reached two finals during the recent South Island Mainland basketball championships at the Selwyn Sports Centre in Rolleston.
The under-18 boys side made it all the way to the title decider, losing the final to a slick South Canterbury combination 75-59 while the under-16 boys went down 83-68 to North Canterbury in their final clash.
The U18 boys lost 69-66 to Canterbury Black first up, then notched a 73-65 win over Mid Canterbury. They overcame Canterbury White 90-70 in the quarterfinal, then Canterbury Grey 81-64 in their semi to set up the final showdown on Monday.
The U16 boys played superbly to beat South Canterbury Green 91-55, Canterbury White 94-47, Marlborough Black 82-61 and North Canterbury Maroon 87-70 before their tournament decider.
Four Marlborough teams made the trip south, an U16 girls’ side and an U16 boys development team both relishing the chance to take on high-class opposition.
The U16 girls scored wins over Buller (71-67) and Canterbury Red (69-60), leading into a final match against Canterbury Red for 5th and sixth position, resulting in a nail-biting 74-73 victory for the southerners.
The U16 boys’ development team pushed some of the more fancied teams to ensure Marlborough had two teams in the top eight of the U16 boys’ grade - ultimately finishing seventh.
They scored wins over South Canterbury White (72-43), North Canterbury Grey (105-40) and Otago Gold (78 -50).
The Marlborough U18 boys team: Jake Gane, Ajay Gane, Couper Robinson, Dan Clarke, Malakai Riwaka-Clark, Malachi Murrell-Manu, Dan du Plessis, Tyson Foote, Leon Wightwick, Te Ariki Hook. Coach: Will Macdonald. Manager: Māhina Henry-Campbell.
The Marlborough U16 girls team: Molly Cornelius, captain Jaye Wiapo, McKenzie Haronga, Ja’bree MacDonald, Maddie Thomas, vice-captain Emma Eyles, Zaraya Wilson, Harriett Cornelius, Luca McMillan, Pippa Minhinnick, Georgie Fissenden. Coach Leo Wiapo, manager Amy Eyles.
The Marlborough U16 boys team: Thomas Blackmore, Louis Thomas, Liam Cohen, Jaiden Hollis, Fergus Colman, Jeremie Cruz, Zephur Dollimore, Justin Prescott, Hayze Neilson. Coach Danielle Blackmore.
The Marlborough U16 Development team: Will Barclay, Tylen Bassett, Harrison Fishburn, Sebastian Balasoglou, Archie Thompson, Tyreece Parkes, Hero Karuna, Jack Wickens, Dylan Gifford, Harley Sangster, Maui de Wildt. Coach: Tony Macdonald. Manager: Vicki Gifford.