2021 was a historic year for the STC basketball program.

Qualifying for the National tournament for the first time in school history. Winning the Under 20 grade. Finishing 3rd in the Thompson Trophy. Each a big victory for the basketball program and taking STC to the top tier of basketball teams in the South Island.

The results were driven by two key components. A tremendous Year 13 group and an unbelievable pair of Year 11’s.

The Year 13s were led by Captain Kobe Northmore. An absolute defensive weapon also with the ability to hit threes and attack the hoop, but you’ll never hear him talking about himself. Always for the team and doing anything the team requires for success. A perfect team captain. Then the big guy Louis DeLautour, who is almost impossible to read and finds ways to get buckets against even the best defenders. With an underrated passing game and consistent rebounding numbers helping the team in the paint. His growth in the last 18 months has been impressive to witness and becoming a captain late in the season shows his maturity was a key in the teams culture.

Jake Banks set the first round on fire averaging an astonishing 34 points. Best in Canterbury. Topped off by a school record 46 points against Rangiora. Last years All Star also was in the National champion U17 Canterbury side but due to an annoying wrist injury missed that and the 2nd round. Peter Taylor was given the nickname ‘Primetime’ due to his ability to step up in clutch moments. Coach vividly remembers finding Peter in the 17bs years ago and seeing him turn into one of the biggest contributors to the teams success. What doesn’t show up in the boxscore is Primetimes ability to lock down the other teams best player, box out large human beings and like Kobe, just doing anything to help our team get the result. Big time competitor. And Harvey Gordon, our 6th man who brings a high basketball IQ, blocks shots like he’s Dikembe Mutombo, knock down threes and is quite possibly, well smarter than coach when it comes to this game. Your leadership has been enormous and I really appreciate de-briefing and planning our game plan against our next opponent Harv!

That unbelievable pair of Year 11’s I mentioned earlier, yeah well Louie Gordon and Hugo Gonzalez are the best pair of Year 11’s I’ve ever seen in high school basketball. And that’s not exaggeration.

Louie Gordons 5 game streak of 30+ games happened during our most crucial games of the season and was so clutch from a younger player. He clearly demonstrated that not only is he one of the most talented guards in Canterbury, but this country. The guy demonstrates work ethic and smarts on a daily basis. The real deal. And Hugo, well like I said 18 months ago, he will join Louie in the Junior Tall Blacks in Year 13. He is the total package on both the defence and offensive end.

Lets not forget the rest of our squad. Rewa Simons, Harvey Cogle, Luke McCoy, Seth Taleni, Oli Wong, Quinn Ferris, Rhylee Henderson, Sam Pritchard and Mana Martin.

St Thomas had 16 basketball competing this season. 5 of those teams in the Saturday CBA competitions. The year 9a team won their Friday night completion this year. Led my MVP Mana Martin and coached by Harvey Gordon. The under 15 boys team lost in the quarter final this season - a heartbreaker considering they were a favourite to win the grade but unfortunately had just 5 players available in the day. The U15 development team made their respective final led by coach AJ Johnson. The Under 17s made their development grade final this year led my coach Dave Wong.