The year started with the 3 x 3 Basketball Nationals. In March, 4 members of our Senior A Basketball squad (Violet Eaton, Sammy Arnold, Bella Luhetoa and Mia Abercrombie) flew up north to Tauranga to attend New Zealand Secondary School 3x3 Nationals. This was the first time CGHS had entered a team to partake in this national event, so was very exciting and new to the team. The team had some great game and finished 9th place out of the 14 teams participating. Overall the tournament was very enjoyable for all players.

In the winter basketball competition this year CGHS had sixteen teams competing, ranging from the Senior A team playing in the Whelan Trophy competition to the two year 9 teams nights. It is encouraging to have so many students playing together with their friends again this year, as 12 of the 16 teams were social teams playing on Friday nights.

The Intermediate A, year 9A and year 9 Blue teams were all coached by senior A players; thank you for these students for taking on these coaching roles and passing on what they have learned and their experiences on to our younger players.

The Senior A team had a very successful season. As previously mentioned, they played in the Whelan Trophy competition, the top grade for girls’ school teams. The team, coached by George Robinson and tom Hamilton, went through pool [lay and post-pool play unbeaten. The final saw them play Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, our nearby arch-rivals. The game was very close but unfortunately our team placed 2nd!

All was not lost, the team then headed for Nelson for the SISS AAA tournament. This proved to be very successful for the players (and coaches) as at the end of a tough 4 days of competition our CGHS came out as the winners and had the South Island title; a fantastic result!

Three weeks later the A team headed to Palmerston North to play in the Nationals. This is a tough six-day tournament against some quality school teams from throughout the country. The team had a great week and came away as the top South Island team in eighth place. Well done team.

The majority of the A team also played in the Under 21 Christchurch Club competition. Again, a great season with the team taking out the title in this grade for 2019.

CGHS also had a number of players representing Canterbury/Waitaha throughout the season:

Waitaha Under 17 Red - Courtney Godinet, Mia Abercrombie, Erin Kennedy, Amy-Lee Petereson, Elsie McRobb

Waitaha Under 17 Black - Eva Marryatt

Waitaha Under 15 Red - Jade McIntyre, Tia Rioffey

A final thank you to George and Tom for the huge experience and expertise they bring to the team through their coaching; the many hours they both contribute to CGHS basketball is most appreciated.

We look forward to the 2020 basketball season and all that it may bring.