The best season yet for the basketball program!

The growth across the Under 15 grade is incredible. With 9 teams in total across the age group. (4) Under 15 grade, (1) Grocott Trophy, (4) Year 9 Friday comp, the amount of volunteers and help within this age group was tremendous. Exciting to see that many Juniors playing basketball.

We had 5 teams playing in the Year 7/8 grades also so awesome numbers coming through there also.

After a great 2022 season, the First V backed that up with a few historic results for the school. We went undefeated in the Thomson Trophy season, making the Final for the 2nd year straight – but this year winning the trophy for the first time! Canterbury Champs! Oh baby!

In the South Island tournament, we were unfortunately without the extremely talented Louie Gordon. Team captain and member of the Canterbury Rams. The team finished 4th overall – that is our best ever result in that tournament!

At the National tournament, where we qualified for the 3rd year straight! Our team went in with high hopes but ended up facing the eventual National Champs in the Quarter Final to lose by just 2 points to Wellington College.

It was a tough loss for us, as we knew how close it was. We have a super talented team and we were ambitious! But regardless, our boys gave their best effort, played with a lot of heart and represented STC very well!

A lot of experience in our First V finishing up this season - I’d love to acknowledge our 8 Year 13 students who are finishing up here at St Thomas who have each brought something really valuable to our team. And helped take us to become the Thomson Trophy champions for the first time ever this season.

2023 Recap:

• Greatest number of participants out of all STC sports
• 22 Teams entered across all competitions
• Undefeated within Canterbury (Senior Boys)
• First V wins Thompson Trophy Grand Final
• Best ever placings in both South Islands and Nationals
• 3x players have represented NZ National Teams
• 1x player gained a scholarship to a US College