Once again, we have had a very successful basketball season.

This year there were 13 teams playing basketball, with two of these teams playing in the Canterbury Competition on a Saturday and both of these made it to the semi-finals.

Our two senior teams who play on a Tuesday night did very well and this year was a development year. The girls were competitive and the boys made it to the semi-final against Rolleston, but unfortunately lost.

We had nine teams playing on a Friday night, with our Intermediate Girls' team coming second for the season. Four of the remaining eight teams were all in the finals.  The Intermediate Boys' Blue team and the Intermediate Boys' Black team both won their finals, the Blue team against Rolleston and the Black team against St Bede's.  This was a fantastic achievement.

2020 was a very busy season. We had a large number of students playing basketball and it was pleasing to have teams playing in the club competition in town. We are very appreciative to all the coaches and managers for all their hard work throughout the season. Again, this year we had a number of students coaching teams and a further 10 students who volunteered their time to referee.

Intermediate Girls' Basketball Team

The Intermediate Girls' Basketball team recently finished runners up in the Christchurch Secondary Schools' Elite Intermediate grade. They were beaten in the final by St Margaret's College, a team they had beaten three weeks earlier by one point. The team played a courageous game in the final, going down by 10 points. The team had previously beaten Rangiora High School in the semi-final, playing outstanding well in the victory, reversing the result from a few weeks earlier. The girls really played extremely well in the last month of the Covid-19 interrupted season, with all players making good contributions. The team consisted of Emily Calvert, Brooke Dear, Annaliese Gibson, Estelle Herriott, Kacey McAllister, Jess Meyers, Aliyah Newton, Aiyana Pitama, Amy Sewell, Lily Smith, Paige Watson and India Wilkie.

Pete McAllister, Coach

Friday Night Intermediate Boys' Red Basketball Team

What a game! What a final! What a season! It’s just unfortunate that no one got to see it.

But if they had, the crowds would have packed the stands, hanging on the edge of their seats as they witnessed the thrill of a rollercoaster final between our Year 11 boys and those from Linwood College.

It was obvious, right from the tip-off, that neither team was going to roll-over.

Although we put the first few points on the board, Linwood’s unyielding defence under the rim and their ability to finish at the other end, saw us 16 points down going into the second quarter.

However, our boys found their rhythm and, with some tenacious defence and our own style of offensive flair, we managed to narrow that gap to four points heading into the final period.

10 minutes to own this game, make our mark, and leave it all out on the floor – and that’s exactly what we did.

With some pin-point accuracy from the outside, our boys nailed a couple of three-pointers and free-throws when we needed it most to seize the lead with less than a minute to go, but the fight was far from over.

Linwood hit back with a money-shot of their own to steal the lead with only two seconds left.

Our ball, one second, one shot, one winner.....

Unfortunately, it wasn’t us.

After going through the season unbeaten, we had finally tasted our first (and last) defeat.

43 – 42.

It was bitter and hard to swallow.

So close, yet so far.

As a coach, a player, and as a person, you can learn a lot from moments like this but only if you are willing to see the lesson and not just the loss.

To my boys, I hope I was able to teach you this.

“Hey boys. I know you're probably all gutted but I couldn't be prouder of you all and the season we've had. You left it all on the court tonight but so did Linwood. It's times like these that begin to define who we are as boys and men. To win humbly and lose graciously, to stumble and get back up shows true strength and character. Give respect to Linwood because they deserve it. But hold your heads high because you've earned it. We were trailing for 99% of the game but we didn't roll over. Not once did you give up and stop trying. Strength and character. So, chin up boys, I’ve got nothing but love and respect for y'all. Brotherhood. Chur Matua Remi.”   

Matua Remi, Coach