On Tuesday 26th of September Westmere School basketball team travelled to North Shore Event Centre to compete in the 2017 Auckland Inner City Basketball Tournament. In 2016 the team came runner up as they went down to a well drilled dominant Bayfield Primary School team. Lots of the players who played in that team returned and were hungrier than ever to do well.

The day unfortunately started with a default win. The parents decided to line up against the team to give them a run before the next game. This provided some great photo opportunities. The next game would be the beginning of a four game winning streak that would take Westmere into it’s second final in as many years.

Pool game results.

Gladstone: Default Win

Marist: Win 39-4

Te Huruhi: Win 30-4

Pt Chev: Win 20-4

In the other pool, Bayfield had also gone undefeated. This of course set up a 2016 final rematch that both players and parents were excited about. We started strong and got out to an early 8-2 lead. However with only 2 minutes in the first half to go, Bayfield went on a run and lead the half 17-11. We regrouped at halftime and the year 6 students in the team took the lead and composed their team. The second half was end to end, goal for goal. Until about 2 minutes to go when we gained the momentum. We went on a run of our own and lead 28-23 with a mere 1 and half minutes remaining. Bayfield scored once, then twice and it was now only a 1 point lead with 30 seconds to go. Our pressure defence and a dying rebound gave Westmere the win. The bench flooded the court and team mates were hugging and high fiving.

The team showed amazing sportsmanship throughout the entire day. They also showed that they were prepared to play as a team and not rely on any individuals. We received a number of comments from organisers, other coaches and parents from other schools about the skill of the Westmere players, the way in which they played together and the sportsmanship they showed after each game and off the court as they cheered on other schools.

They did themselves, their whānau and our school proud!

A special thank you to Whaea Maire and Matua Taiatini who have been running trainings after school each week. All your hard work has paid off.