Winter Tournament Week 2018, Basketball Nationals.

Football 

After the disappointment of not qualifying as one of the  five Christchurch schools for the Premier Lotto Tournament, the SBHS 1st X1 travelled to the second tier tournament in Nelson for Tournament week.

The regular season had seem somewhat inconsistent performances; at our best we were excellent, but there were times when we weren't.  This is evidenced by our five win, seven loss record in the 12 league matches.

However, coaches Mark Dunn and Tony Ambrose were confident that, away from other commitments and just focused on football, we had a team capable of performing very well.

Results were as follows:

• Pool Play: vs Nayland College – Won 7-0
  
• Vs Kavanagh College – Won 7-0
  
• Vs Nelson College 2nd X1 – Won 6-1
  
• Quarter- Final: vs Timaru BHS – Won 5-2
  
• Semi-Final: vs Middleton Grange – Won 2-1
  
• Final: vs Marlborough BC – Won 5-1
  

We were the best team at the tournament, largely because we scored 32 goals in six games. Even more impressive was that Shaun Regaldo won the Golden Boot award with a phenomenal 17 goals. That said, all players performed well over the week – both on and off the field.

To win the tournament so well was pleasing, especially for the six Year 13 players who have now played their final game for the school. Deserving special mention are Levi McNabb, who has played three years for the team and was an excellent captain throughout, and Jack Woolcott, who has played four years for the 1st X1 – amassing an amazing 96 games for the team.

Thanks to Tui and Gavin Zimmerman who acted as Camp Mum and Dad and looked after our food needs. Other parents were able to visit us for parts of the week, and that was really appreciated. Also we are grateful to Air Rescue and Community Services Trust for their financial support, enabling costs to be kept to a reasonable level.

Team members were: Levi McNabb (captain), Bradley Bradshaw, Oliver Clark, Ben Magson, Ryan McQuarters, Charlie Norris, Josh Overend, Marshall Patrick, Alisina Rajabi, Shaun Regaldo, Isaac Russell, Regan Shore, Sam Stevenson, Cameron Williams, Jack Woolcott, Mark Zimmerman, Scott Zimmerman.

Hockey

1XI Hockey  at Johnson Cup Hockey Tournament in Timaru from  3rd  to 7th  September 2018

The 1st XI Hockey team travelled to Timaru on Sunday 3rd September to play in the Johnson Cup Hockey Tournament. This tournament was going to be a huge ask, as the majority of the members of the team were Year 10 and Year 11 players.

The team gathered at school at 11.00am on Sunday. A big thanks to Miss Nesbit for coming along and helping to pack the two vans.

Monday was going to be our toughest day at tournament as we were playing two games. Our first game was against Waimea College which we won 2-1, a good start to the tournament. Our second game of the day was against James Hargest College. The result at full time was 1-2. This was a good start to the tournament with a win and a loss on day one.

Tuesday saw us playing John McGlashin College who would eventually go on and win Johnson Cup. The final result of the match was 0-4.

Wednesday was an early start for everyone with the team walk at 6.00am as we were drawn to play Pakuranga College at 8.15am. The final result of the match was 0-2. By Friday we would see Pakuranga playing in the final against John McGlashin.

By the end of pool play on Wednesday, three teams had won one game each in pool A,  but unfortunately Shirley came last in the pool due to goal difference. We were now playing in a round-robin competition to determine who would come 9th – 11th position at tournament.

Thursday morning saw us playing our toughest and most tense game of the tournament against Ashburton College. To give the many parents who have travelled to Timaru to support the team maximum game time to watch the boys decided to have the game tied up 0-0 at full time. A result was needed from this match to determine final places at tournament so this meant we now played drop off, golden goal. Teams reduced to  nine players, no goalie for five minutes; score still tied 0-0, then reduced to  seven players for another five minutes. In the 67th minute of the game Joseph Collins was finally able to find the back of the net. Final result 1-0. This meant we were playing Marlborough Boys College at 3.30pm on Thursday for 10th and 11th. This final game of tournament and playing two games on Thursday proved to be too much for such a young team and final result of game was 1-4.

Even though the 1XI hockey team did not achieve the goal they set at the beginning of the season, it was still a memorable tournament with five players achieving the milestone of having played 50 games for Shirley 1XI Hockey. The players who played their 50th game were: Max Hill-Cattermole, Mitchell Power, Joseph Collins, Matheson Graham and Luca Jugovac.

The game against Marlborough Boys College would be the last game that our two, Year 13 players would play hockey for Shirley Boys High School. These boys have gained 77 caps between them.

• Matheson Graham -  51 caps
  
• Jamie Kerr -  26 caps
  

We wish these ‘Shirley Men’ good luck for the future.

Rugby U15

After the long ride up we had finally made it to Nelson College. A happy bunch of teenagers excited to have the week off school doing what we love most.

On the first day we were set to play the host school, Nelson College. A mixture of nerves and excitement was felt in the changing rooms pregame before we walked through the school and out to the main field. 

Our haka set the tone for our tournament, loud and proud in true Shirley fashion. 

Right from the get-go Ethan Faitaua, Brodie Barsby and Emmanuel Fruean lit up the park with stunning hits that made our intentions clear. With just minutes to go we were 21-15 and a converted try would have won Nelson College the game. Gutsy efforts from Pele Atonio and Uriah Tuli got us in the Nelson 22 and we earned a penalty out in front of the sticks. The kick was successful and we came out with a hard-earned 24-15 win. 

Game 2 against Kings High School was always going to be traditionally tough. Another sound performance from the boys, with some great individual efforts, helped see us easily past theml 43-10. 

Game 3, the final game in of our round robin, the biggest game yet. Certainly our most physical game on tournament. We had a massive start to the game with Uriah Tuli and Ethan Faitaua setting the standards high from the very start again. A massive tackle on the Timaru Boys High prop, who was their biggest threat, put the confidence in the boys straight away. Some magic from our backline saw us score 2 early tries to put us on the front foot for the rest of that game. This was our strongest game of the tournament thus far and left us in good stead for the impending final, a freakishness try that saw Uriah, Deijdre Siaki and Malele Uili run the length of the field and score under the posts. Final score 38-10. 

Post-game we realised our high chances of going back to back, a very rare moment in the history of the tournament. 

In an all Christchurch final on Thursday afternoon we waited eagerly to get on the field. Christ College who we had played all year were rumoured to be a stronger team bolstered by U16 players. The game kicked off and an early try from Pele Atonio within the first 51 seconds of the match showed them who was still in charge. The game consisted of plenty more hard hits and Christ College suffering multiple injuries as a consequence. The way we played really showed why we were the defending champions, some of the tries we scored we right from the training pitch. We came away with a 55-7 victory to bring the shield home to where it belongs. 

It was an awesome tournament with many laughs, activities and team events that made it so memorable. Thanks to all that made it happen, Mr Archer, Mr Skinner, Mr Keats and Margaret, we appreciate your work. 

Senior Basketball

The boys went into this Tournament on the back of the disappointment of a Thompson Trophy loss in our quarterfinal matchup with Boys High. The boys regrouped and trained hard to prepare for the South Island Tournament and were ready to play despite the long journey down from Chch to Invercargill the day before. Our first up game was against a gritty team from John McGlashan College and after a slow start, we battled away for a 77-61 win. Joel Jeffrey led the way with 20 points, Jay Watkinson had 18, Wiremu Waaka 13 and Josh Thomson 10. In game two we faced a young Timaru team who had a 6’9 centre. We came out strong from the get go and managed to give the entire squad some good minutes, eventually pulling away for an 81-41 win. Joel 14, Jay 13 and Greg Rodger with 10.

Day two saw us face an undefeated Marlborough Boys team first up. With more balanced scoring and good spread of minutes again we had a convincing 89-43 win. Joel finished with 13, Jay had 12, Kaleb Chamberlain had 12, Blake Cunninghame had 10 and Loyal Patelesio had 9. Our 4th game went much the same way as the morning game with another big win 86-46 over James Hargest. Jay top scored with 19, Joel 17, Noah Westwood 11, Blake 11 and Wiremu 10.

Day three we finished off our pool play with 5 wins from 5 games with another convincing win 90-50 over Burnside High. Joel 26, Wiremu 19, and Noah 11. This put us through to the quarterfinals against a strong Rangiora High team who were playing some good basketball and had finished 2nd in our local competition. We had an ugly, grind it out 57-46 win over the Rangiora team who never game up, in our closest game of the tournament so far. Captain Joel Jeffrey led the way with 16 points and Vice-Captain Noah Westwood had 14. Josh Thomson and Mona Faitaua Nanai made some big plays throughout the game. This win locked us into a spot at the National Tournament for 2018 and put us in a Semi-final matchup against a strong Waimea team who had just knocked off Otago Boys in their quarterfinal.

At the start of day four, in our 7th game of the tournament we had another great team effort with all 12 players contributing on the court. This saw us gain a double digit lead in the first quarter and never look back. Some great defence by our guards and a monster scoring game from Joel Jeffrey pushed us out to a 86-59 victory over Waimea to book a spot in the South Island final vs Cashmere. Joel had 29, Blake Cunninghame 11, Greg Rodger 9 and Tyreice Tuliau 8.

South Island Finals vs Cashmere. This was our first appearance in the final of the South Islands since 2010 so the boys were pumped for this game. After a gritty low scoring first half when the scores were locked up at 27 all, Cashmere showed it's class by slowly creeping ahead in the second half. Too much height from Cashmere and us missing some easy shots led to a 63-51 loss. Joel Jeffrey had another strong game with 19 points. Jay Watkinson had 10, Mona Faitaua-Nanai had 8 and Noah Westwood had 7.

We had a big week of basketball and the boys played a  good tournament. Second in the South Island is something that the team should be very proud of, as they have worked very hard throughout the year to get to this point. 

Junior Basketball

The Junior Basketball Premiership team recently competed in Nelson in the South Island Junior Premierships. 

The team faced several hurdles including losing starting guard Dylan Weaich (2017 Junior sportsman of year nominee) to injury two weeks before the tournament. Two players also had to overcome close family member losses, the first one week before the tournament and the other during the tournament. 

The team coached by Mr Gilmore and Mr Edwards grouped together well as they progressed through three tough games in their pool to meet Waitaki Boys in the Quarter final winning 72-69. 

The team then won their Semi final 73-64 over Christ's College setting up a grand final with St Thomas' College. Unfortunately, the team also lost sharp-shooter Kane Thomson to injury in the semi and started with just eight players. The team battled hard eventually going down 82 59. 

Coach Gilmore was extremely pleased with the outcome of the tournament given the challenges faced along the way, “Shirley Basketball is in a great position with young talent like this coming through the ranks”.

Ice Hockey

Despite not having a coach, the team came together to form game plans that put up a great challenge against other teams. 

We all worked together and continued to play hard until the end even when going up against very tough teams. We came third in the grade, which is definitely something we will be looking to beat next year and beyond. 

The week itself was full of great times and funny moments that I don’t think anybody on the team will forget. Especially the fact we stayed at the camp ground with eight netball teams, and beat Southland Girls’ at football. 

We beat Mackenzie 4-0 and 5-2.  Go the Shirley Spartans!. 

Ice Hockey Christchurch League Tournament 2018.

Our final game of the season was a big one with Captain Harry Tappin, Sébastien Lallemant and Finley Forbes playing their last games for Shirley Spartans. The team brought home the League trophy in a stunning final game against Christchurch Boys’ High. The experience gained during tournament week showed in our passing game, and Lily Forbes did a fantastic job as our goalie to shut out the opposition, who were confident they would pull off another win after an unbeaten season. The final score was 3:0 with goals to Quintin Kikstra, Finley Forbes and Sebastien Lallemant.

At the Christchurch League prize giving ceremony Harry Tappin was named Top Defender and Luke Tappin was awarded Top Assists of the season. 

2018 School Nationals - Basketball

After coming second in the South Island a few weeks prior to the tournament the team was excited to see how they would go at Nationals. An early start on Sunday morning saw the team, consisting of Joel Jeffrey (Capt), Noah Westwood (Vice Capt), Josh Thomson, Wiremu Waaka, Tyreice Tuliau, Jayden Watkinson, Mona Faitaua-Nanai, Amit Aryal, Loyal Patelesio, Blake Cunninghame, Greg Rodger and Kaleb Chamberlain, fly to Wellington and then drive to Palmerston North where the team attended the opening ceremony on Sunday evening.

Game 1 vs St Johns
After a slow first half where the team got down by 20, the boys lifted their intensity in the second half and fought back to sneak in front with a few minutes to go. Unfortunately, an unlucky bounce of the ball after some good defence allowed an uncontested 3 pointer by St Johns to put them up by 2. Final score 58-56. Joel Jeffrey top scored with 24, Josh Thomson had 10 and Jay Watkinson had 9.

Game 2 vs Westlake
Despite a strong game from Joel Jeffrey and Josh Thomson, who combined for 40 points, Westlake had too much height and shooting for us and took the win 65-79. Amit Aryal put in a good cameo with 7 points off the bench.

Game 3 vs Rotorua
Another tough game against a bigger team who shot the ball extremely well saw us go down 69-95. This was despite a strong game from Joel Jeffrey who had 23. Some good support from Tyreice Tuliau who had 13 and Noah Westwood who had 11 wasn’t enough.

Game 4 vs St Kentigens
We had a solid game against the team who finished top in our pool, and 3rd over all. Going into the last quarter we were only down 8 points and looking good. Unfortunately, they lifted their tempo and pushed the lead out to eventually win 56-72. Joel Jeffrey 12, Mona Faitaua-Nanai 9, Wiremu Waaka 8, and Noah Westwood 7.

Game 5 vs Fraser
We finally managed to get up for our first win in pool play with a solid 102-79 win over Fraser. A good contribution from all 12 players saw us have control for the entire game. Joel top scored again with 25, while Wiremu had his best scoring game so far with 21. Greg Rodger had 13 off the bench, while JT and Mona both chipped in with 10.

Game 6 vs Waimea
In a rematch of our semi-final at South Islands we came up against Waimea again. We had a strong start and managed to sustain the lead all game to eventually win 79-56. Joel had 18, and Wiremu, Greg and Loyal Patelesio all had 9.

Game 7 vs Middleton
In the bottom 8 semi-final we squared up against the old foe Middleton Grange. After a tight battle in the first half, we gained a small lead in the second half. Middleton made a run in the last few minutes, but we managed to hold on for the victory 82-79. Joel Jeffrey had 18, Wiremu 16, Jay Watkinson 13, Mona Faitaua-Nanai 12, and Noah Westwood 9.

Game 8 vs Rangitoto
In a battle for 17th and 18th we didn't have enough firepower to stick with the hot shooting Rangitoto team who had 6 players in double figures. An amazing game from the captain Joel Jeffrey who had an impressive 41 point performance in his final game as a Spartan. Josh Thomson had 10 and Wiremu Waaka had 8. The final score was 89-78 to Rangitoto which left us with a placing of 18th in the country.

A big thanks to the eight year 13s, who played their final game for the school. Thanks for all of the time and effort they have put into the Shirley Boys High School Basketball program over the last few years. You all contributed to the team/family culture we have at the school. 

All the best for the future, both on and off the court.