Whilst the club basketball season finished in late August there has still been plenty activity on and off the court within basketball at St Bede’s.

 Currently there is a Summer League competition running with players from Yr 9-12 participating in teams coached primarily by our Yr 13 students and ex-Bedeans. This competition enters the playoff phase next Tuesday with a continuation of the close games so far likely to continue. 

Last weekend our Junior tournament team were able to have a final hit out for the season as Otago Boys High School ventured north for a series of games in Christchurch. With a couple of absences for the Bede’s hindering numbers the home team started strongly and traded baskets with Otago for much of the opening half. This pattern continued during the opening period of the second half however the visitors surged ahead down the stretch to claim a comfortable victory and look set to continue to be a force in South Island school hoops. A great another valuable experience for our junior players with several of them aspiring to be in the senior set-up in coming years.

Following this match, James Leen was recognised in being naming the St Bede’s Most Valuable Player for the McDonalds Thompson Trophy season and was presented with an All Star singlet featuring his name and playing number. Congratulations to James on this achievement and well deserved following an outstanding season in the premier High School competition in the South Island.

Taking to the court next were our Yr 13 leavers taking on an Old Boys team stacked with talent and some vast experience. In an entertaining spectacle, the Old Boys looked to be on the way to bragging rights however fitness became a factor and the Leavers fought back to be within reach and a hotly debated call saw the Leavers capitalise from the free throw line and gain a narrow 73-72 win.

 Thank you to all of the Old Boys for participating in the Alumni match and for all the support and assistance you provide to the basketball Club. Our Yr 13 leavers are looking to joining you and being part of this fixture next year.

Recently the basketball club gathered in mass to celebrate the 2022 season and acknowledge those involved with the sport.

We must make special mention of our coaches and managers who provide invaluable contributions to the club and are a key part of the continued growth for basketball at St Bede’s.

Sincere thanks and gratitude to Jim Coe, Richard O’Sullivan, Max Herbert, Conor Fyall, Debbie Baugh, Harvey O’Neill, Angus Stewart, Sonya Setter, Pip Haigh, Taylor Willis, Will O’Brien, Blair Terrell, Hunter Cutbush, Belinda Campbell, Tom Hughes, Caleb Conyers, Brenda Martin, Megan Martin, Grant McKenzie, Kelvin Fisher, Catia Miguel, Grant Ven, Belinda Leen & Matt Yates.

Award winners for the 2022 season were:

Seniors

Hughes Cup Best Defensive Player – Hunter Cutbush

Father J C Bryan Cup Most Promising Player – Cooper Siave

St Bede’s College Cup Player’s Player – Lochie McLean

Houston Cup Most Valuable Player – James Leen

Presented awards and a gold tassel in recognition of 100 games for the Senior team were Ashton Walls & James Leen.

Juniors

Fisher Cup Most Valuable Player – Finn Pearson

Junior Tournament Most Valuable Player – Finn Pearson

Junior Tournament Most Improved Player – George Kneebone

U17 Red

Most Valuable Player – Cooper Siave

Most Improved Player – Harry Cournane

U17 Black

Most Valuable Player – Max MacLeod

Most Improved Player – Christian Gilbert

U17 White

Most Valuable Player – Flynn Martin

Most Improved Player – Nathan Ollson

U15 Red

Most Valuable Player – Finn Pearson

Most Improved Player – Matthew Isherwood U15 Black

Most Valuable Player – Ryan Cooke

Most Improved Player – George Kneebone

U15 White

Most Valuable Player – Regan Birdling

Most Improved Player – Joe Norton

U15 Rangers

Most Valuable Player – Jack Yagmich

Most Improved Player – Harry Gorman

U15 Bedeans

Most Valuable Player – Isaac Baugh

Most Improved Player – Campbell Scott

U15 Marist

Most Valuable Player – Sam Hannan

Most Improved Player – Sam Ward

A very special acknowledgement and huge thank you to the sponsors who have assisted the club during the 2022 season. Your generosity is amazing and truly appreciated.

 It would be remiss of us to not also congratulate the Senior team on their performance last month at the Secondary School National Championships.

The team finished the tournament in 19th position which is a record placing for a St Bede’s side and testament to the vast numbers of hours and commitment put in by players and also coaches during a highly successful 2022 season.

Throughout the tournament St Bede’s footed it with the very best hoopers in the country with the constant echo from spectators at the event that Bede’s simply never gave up and fought to the final whistle. The boys represented themselves, their families and the college impeccably and can be very proud of their achievements during the season.

St Bede’s have the satisfaction of coming closer than any other side in the country to national champions Christs College, losing by single digits in the last 2 games against them. No other team were able to get any closer than 13 points to this unit.

2022 Secondary School Nationals Results:

Vs Westlake Boys High L 85-102

Vs Sacred Heart College W 75-73

Vs Rosmini College L 52-95

Vs Nelson College L 70-76

Vs Mt Albert Grammar L 58-85

Vs Scots College W 97-77

Vs St John’s College L 78-87

Vs Sacred Heart College W 77-66 

The team, coaches, managers and parents are indebted to the assistance of sponsors who supported the team as they embarked on the journey to Palmerston North. Thank you very much for your generosity and the opportunity to provide this team with the experience of a lifetime.

The basketball club are immensely proud of Old Boy Walter Brown who has this week been chosen in the New Zealand Tall Blacks squad heading to the Middle East next month, taking on Lebanon and Jordan in a pair of FIBA World Cup Qualifier games. This is an amazing achievement and continues Walter’s rise through the ranks to now competing on the international stage. All the very best for these games Walter and for a long career in the black singlet.

Tall Blacks vs Lebanon - 8am NZT, Fri 11 Nov

Tall Blacks vs Jordan – 5am NZT, Mon 14 Nov

Both games live on Spark Sport 

The inclusion of Walter Brown in the national team is the first selection for a St Bede’s Old Boy in this team since Ralph Lattimore played the last of his 93 games (21 as captain) for New Zealand in 2000.