The season began on a positive note with the team winning the pre-season Tip-Off Tournament in Rotorua that included a come from behind win in the final versus RBHS.

The traditional exchanges were important tests for the team this year. They began with a nine point win versus Westlake in Term 1. Next was a two point win over Auckland Grammar, the highlight of which was a buzzer beating 3-point shot by Year 11 rookie, Te Tatau Strother. The New Plymouth exchange was expected to be difficult because of player absences due to sickness. After a close contest for three quarters, NPBHS pulled away in the fourth for a comfortable win. The last exchange versus Tauranga was a dominant team performance that finished in a 45 point win for HBHS.

The Super 8 tournament, held in New Plymouth, was the highpoint of the season. Team captain, John Anderson, put on a brilliant individual performance, scoring 49 points in a double overtime win versus Palmerston North, followed by 27 points in the semi-final versus New Plymouth, and finishing with 35 points in the final versus Rotorua. John was named Tournament MVP and he was joined in the tournament team by Oliver White and Liam Davis who were both outstanding. This gave HBHS its first Super 8 Basketball title since 2003. The tournament was notable for the fact that each of the final three wins required the team to rally from double digit deficits.

In the Waikato competition, HBHS lost a tight final against St John's College the day after returning from Super 8. While this was disappointing, there was an opportunity for redemption in a local men’s league. With a much higher level of competition, HBHS was able to surpass St John's and four men’s teams to take the title in dominant form with a 25 point win in the final.

The Zone 2 regional tournament saw the team cruise through weak opposition in pool play only to be upset in the quarter final by a spirited Mt Maunganui team who took a narrow win in overtime. In the playoff for 3rd and 4th, HBHS lost by 3 points to St John's which placed the team in the most difficult pool at Nationals.

The National Championships in Palmerston North began with a narrow loss to PNBHS, and another loss to Auckland Grammar. This set up a must win game against local rival St John's. A strong team performance led to a 13 point win that placed us third at the end of pool play. Inconsistent defense prevented the team from cracking the top 8, and this was made even more frustrating by the fact that we had beaten three of the teams this season that made it to the final four. The team finished in 15th place with a satisfying 29 point win over Mt Maunganui in the last game of the tournament.

The 2022 Team:

John Anderson (captain), Elias Lepou (vice-captain), Oliver White, Liam Davis, Kobe Tuhakaraina, David Pereira, Liam Van Der Heyden, Te Tatau Strother, Cole Goodson, Jamie Sosa, Hemi Neale, Nicholas Wood, Mason Wiltshire

Coaches: R Strother, A Ellis, K Strother

Managers: Mr N Power, A Tuhakaraina

Captain of Basketball Report:

Basketball became a huge part of my life once arriving at HBHS, and the friendships and memories over the last five years have been amazing.

The Junior Premier team had a strong season where they excelled in the local Waikato competition. They made the final but were unable to outlast Te Aroha College and came away runners-up. The team has some great talent and the future looks bright for the upcoming years. The Junior Programme is a key part in preparing players for Senior Basketball teams and I look forward to seeing them develop as players and as people in the future. Thanks to Mary Ellen and Mr Ellis for providing the boys with a great stepping stone in  their journey in basketball.

A special mention must go to our Year 9A team who had a fantastic season. This group appears to be a very strong year group and we look forward to these boys representing the school in the future. A big thank you to
Mr Dodunski for coaching these boys.

On to the Senior Premier team where we had a record breaking season. In a year where most things were back to normal, we made the most of every game we played. The season definitely had its ups and downs. A highlight of the season was the buzzer beater win over Auckland Grammar courtesy of our youngest player on the team Te Tatau Strother. And, of course, winning the Super 8 Championship for the first time in 19 years. This was a special achievement for the team and for the school. We had high expectations heading into the National Championships, but we didn't quite realise our potential and ended up finishing in 15th place. Despite this, it was great to be able to compete again at the National
level for the first time in three years. We ended the season in record-beating fashion with 34 wins and 11 losses.

Some additional highlights were: Three boys being named in the Super 8 Tournament team, John Anderson winning the Super 8 MVP, two boys making the Under 17 National Tournament team and John and myself being selected for the Steven Adams Invitational Camp in December.

Mr Strother, Mr Ellis, and Karl, we can't thank you enough for the time you have invested into the HBHS Basketball Programme, and into us over the
last five years. Especially Mr Strother, for the countless hours you gave up to coach us. You have not only developed our basketball skills but also turned us into determined young men. Thank you for the many life lessons we have all learnt and for the positive team culture that you created.

To our Manager, Mr Power, thank you for inspiring us to be the best we can be and for all the work you put in behind the scenes. Also a special thanks goes to Amber Tuhakaraina, for your unfailing support throughout the season. We wouldn't have accomplished what we did without you.

To the players, we weren't just teammates, we were brothers, each with a strong passion for the sport. To the boys returning next year, continue to learn and take in everything the game has to offer, and to my fellow Year 13s it's been a season to remember and an incredible journey, so best of luck in the future. As American Football player Jerry Rice says, “Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can do what others can't.”