The 2019 New Zealand Secondary Schools’ 3 x3 Basketball Championships were held in Tauranga from March 27-29.

Kavanagh entered three teams and we are delighted with their performances.

The Senior A Girls’ Elite team of Annabelle Ring, Anita Samasoni, Dre Whaanga and Kyra McEntyre finished a very creditable fifth out of 14. Coach Gerard Mullin was delighted with their attitude and standard of play. Kavanagh took Westlake Girls’ to overtime in the quarter finals for the second year in a row. Westlake went on to finish third so our goal next year is to beat them, make semi-finals and have an attempt at a National Title with all players being eligible .

The Senior Girls’ Open Team also finished fifth in their section of 16. Annalise Wilson, Helene Elisara, Libby Renwick and Madi Sutherland impressed with their team work, grit and fitness. The girls won their first three games convincingly but their second day draw presented some challenges as they played six games. However, they remained positive and focussed and their improvement both individually and collectively was obvious. Coach Gerard believes the results of both teams highlight the depth in Girls’ basketball at Kavanagh. The next goal for our Girls is to win the small schools’ division at the National Secondary Schools’ Basketball Tournament later in the year. 

Our Senior Boys’ Open Team finished 15 th out of 28 teams in their grade. They were close in all games and continued to improve over the tournament. Their last win against Rossini was by far their best team effort with all five players - Ambrose Lee, Cassius Marunui, Gabe Gallagher, Jordan King and Kenny Petsamo contributing to the comeback win. Coach Natalie Visger was proud of how the boys stepped up and represented both Kavanagh and themselves with pride. The boys are back training with renewed enthusiasm and ambition as they too aim to qualify for Nationals.

Whilst in Tauranga, the teams stayed at the Aquinas College Wharenui, Te Taumata. Our thanks to Kurt Kennedy for organising this.