Club Basketball Semi-finals Report by Bruce Martin                            

Sunday 11^th September

 

There will be a new name on the Robert C Curtis Cup Men’s Premier Championship trophy after this Saturday’s Grand Final as Lincoln University is set to challenge the might of Gators after both teams recorded victories in Saturday’s Men’s Premier club basketball semi-finals played in Cowles Stadium on Saturday.

The first semi-final saw the Hoben trophy winner and fourth placed qualifier Pioneer Pacers almost upset the power-packed Gators side, surrendering to an 88-93 loss in the final quarter after several lead changes in the run up to the final hooter. Marques Whippy was again in top form with 20 points along with 10 rebounds and five assists with strong backup from Inga Solofuti (16), Jeremy Kench (16) and Cam Chalmers (15). Filipino big man Ariel Mepana kept Pioneer’s hopes alive with 30 points while Oli Davies (21) and Marty Davison (14) were busy bees to keep Pioneer in with a chance after leading 29-22 at quarter-time and 53-41 by half-time.

Lincoln University kept its hopes of quadruple titles alive as it edged 2014 champion Checkers 78-67 in the other semi-final, helped greatly by the absence of Tall Black Ethan Rusbatch who was away with the NZ Breakers.LU had just enough left in the tank, after winning the USTNZ championships last week. Both sides played an extremely physical game, with starters from both teams sitting on four fouls by games end. An early 11-0 start proved to be the buffer Lincoln needed, as every time Checkers threatened to level the scores, someone from the Terry Brunel coached team stepped up and hit a big shot. LU landed 10 triples all told and grabbed 16 second chance points.  Ben Williams (21, 9R) produced his best efforts for Lincoln with other consistent efforts from Nick Erwood (16, nine rebounds) and James Cawthorn 13 points. Former Ram Nat Connell produced a solid 22 points 12 rebounds for Checkers with backup from Pip Johnston (16) and Bede Masters with 12 and eight rebounds. Lincoln led all the way, up 37-28 at the turn around and 59-50 by the third break.

Earlier in the day Lincoln University Bulls earned a place in the Men’s Under 23 final, its fourth consecutive Grand Final appearnace, when it thumped Checkers 94-63. In the other semi-final Pioneer Yellow edged University of Canterbury A 86-81. Lincoln Bulls has not lost a game since losing to Gators in the 2013 Grand Final, with their streak currently sitting at 51 wins.

In Women’s Premier semi-final action North Canterbury almost spoiled the party for Lincoln University women, the 2014 champion, 2016 Patron’s trophy winner and as yet unbeaten this season. LU was in control, up 19-7 at quarter-time and 47-36 by three -quarter time before North Canterbury, led by Wildcat Hayley Grey (10), and Tactix Gemma Hazeldine (14), came surging back, only to run out of time as Lincoln scraped home 56-54. Fran Edmondson and Tessa Burry produced 16 each for the students.

Halswell, the quiet under-achievers in Women’s Premier basketball, played its trump card as Wildcat Terai Sadler (31) and Cecillia Zambrini (18) took care of the defending champions, University of Canterbury 67-55. University had previously been in 10 consecutive finals, having won eight of them. Halswell’s last appearance in a Grand final was 2013. For University Bianca Aguiar slotted 14 points and Ashlee Rigter 11 while the other key University players were well restricted.

 

Results were:

Men's Premier Championship Semi-finals:

Gators 93 (Marques Whippy 20, 10R, 5A, Inga Solofuti 16, 8R, Jeremy Kench 16, Cam Chalmers 15, Jordan Duggan 11, Stephen Nosworthy 10) def  Pioneer Pacers 88 (Ariel Mepana 30,  Oli Davies 21, Marty Davison 14, Cam Costley 11). HT: Pioneer 53-41

Lincoln University 78 (Ben Williams 21, 9R, Nick Erwood 16, 9R, James Cawthorn 13, Xavier Shaw 10, 12R) def Checkers 67 (Nat Connell 22, 12R, Pip Johnston 16, Bede Marsters 12, 8R). HT: 37-28.

Grand-final Saturday September 17^th: Gators v Lincoln University.

 

Women’s Premier Championship Semi-finals:

Lincoln University 56 (Fran Edmonson 16, Tessa Burry 16) def North Canterbury 64 (Gemma Hazeldine 14, Hayley Gray 10). HT: 34-28 

Halswell 54 (Terai Sadler 31, Cecillia Zambrini 18, Esra McGoldrick 12) University of Canterbury 55 (Bianca Aguiar 14, Ashlee Rigter 11). HT: 34-29.

Grand-final Saturday September 17^th: Lincoln University v Halswell.

 

Men’s Under 23:

Lincoln University Bulls 94 (James Levings 25, 7R, 6A, Ben Bowie 16, 7R, Jayden Chan 16, 7R, Hayden Murphy 10, Nick Erwood 10, 11R) def Checkers 63 (Jack Ansell 18, 8R, Matt Dukes 11, Conor McCrossin 10). HT: 45-28.

Pioneer Yellow 86 (Oli Davies 26, Harley Campbell 17, Finbar Argus 17, Kyle Tikao 14) def University of Canterbury A 81 (Josh Petermann 22, Daniel Chan 15, Paul Stephenson 14, Karl Magon 14). HT: 36-30.

Grand-final September 17^th:  Lincoln University Bulls v Pioneer Yellow.

 

Grand finals day at club basketball this Saturday will have a number of new champions on the trophies this season with only Lincoln Bulls MU23, Burnside MU20 and Cashmere BU15 back to defend their titles.

Lower grade results on Semi-finals weekend were:

Men’s Under 20:

Burnside-Checkers 80 (John Quitiong 21, Liam Reckie 29, Isaiah Morris 19) Atami 73 (Will Grocott 22, Aasha Mallard 17, Josh Merrin 14). HT: 39-36

UC – Christs College 96 (Max De Geest 39, Hunter Aarts 27, Will Harrison 15) Gators 78 (Matt Mischewski 30, Brandon Pook 12, Michael Henry 12). HT: 51-24.

Grand-final September 17^th:  Burnside-Checkers v  UC – Christs College.

 

Men’s U17 T6 Second-Life Semi-Final:

Burnside HS 84 (Isaiah Morris 24, John Quitiong 20, Nathan Louis 17) Shirley Boys 58 (Wiremu Waaka 23)

Grand-final September 17^th:  Burnside HS v Cashmere Maroon.

 

Men’s U17 Middle Final:

Christchurch Boys High Blue 89 (Kurt Feneon 24, Sam Fairbrother 15, Nick Aucutt 14) Gators White 45 (Stephen Mischewski 10). HT: 44-22.

Men’s U17 Development Final:

Christchurch Boys HS Black 76 (Rodney Gregana 13, Isaac Dann 11, Kelib Brown 11, Michael Jung 11) Papanui HS 57 (Jared Neighbours 17, Jordan Williamson 15, Josh Briones 11). HT: 36-17.

 

Boys Under 15 Semi-Finals:

Wharenui Gators 67 (Ah Li Fenika 19, Trey Te Awa 12) North Canterbury One 47 (Caleb Cameron 12)

Cashmere HS 79 (Liam Golding 11, Lachie Lionel 11) Christchurch Boys HS Black 44 (Ryan Morris 12, Lajos Varga 11, Ben Hall 10). HT: 32-11.

Grand-final September 17^th:  Wharenui Gators v Cashmere HS.

 

Men’s Division One Semi-Finals:

Placemakers 54 (Fraser Costley 21, Gareth Costley 17) Gators White 46 (Hamish Williams 13, Simon Morris 12). HT: 24-24

Wolverines Blue 92 (Cris Benevice 22, Jamie Graham 22, 6-8x3’s, Nick Purcell, 13, Johny Lung 12) Atami 49 (Olliver Dawe 21). HT: 35-14.

Grand-final September 17^th:  Placemakers v Wolverines Blue

 

Women’s Division One Semi-Finals:

Halswell Red 46 (Sonja Akkerman 14) Minties 31 (Simone Pitama 10). HT: 22-21

Royals Dark Horses 55 (Helen Neighbours 20, Leah McMaster 10) Royals 54 (Juanita Gear 16, Vicky Hudson 11). HT: Royals 24-22.

Grand-final September 17^th: Halswell Red v Royals Dark Horses.

 

Women’s U20 Second Life Semi-Final:

Wolverines 66 (Megan Ellis 18) Rangi Ruru GS 57 (Connie Taylor 19, Abby Kneebone 11). HT: 36-21.

Grand-final September 17^th:  Lincoln Universityv Wolverines.

 

Girls U17 Semi-Finals:

Christchurch Girls HS 98 (Violet Eaton 32) North Canterbury 46 (Kate Munro 11, Sophie Davies 10). HT: 50-18

Wharenui Gators 55 (Hannah Mischewski 21, Issy Orr 19) Checkers 49 (Hannah Glen 21). HT: 25-19.

Grand-final September 17^th: Christchurch Girls HS v Wharenui Gators.

 

Mid-Week Men Semi-finals:

University 41 (Nick Gee 14) Atami 25

Checkers White 59 (Nigel Buchanan 23) Relics 27 (Michael Tutko 10, Kent Agar 10).

Grand finalists: Checkers White V University.

 

 

Mid-week Women Top four:

CYA 37 (Crystal Lenky 10) Gators 36

University Minions 38 (Sophie Marsh 10) Pioneer 31 (Holly Cadsow 14).

Grand finalists: University v Pioneer.