New Plymouth Boys' High School have secured a top-eight spot at the New Zealand secondary schools' tournament in Nelson.

Boys' High have won their first four games in pool play, opening with a 78-60 win over Palmerston North Boys' High School on Monday morning with Dane Brooks top scoring with 18 points. On Monday night, Boys' High beat St John's Hamilton 77-68, with Derek Albertsen scoring 22 and Jordan Harries 20.

On Tuesday, Boys' High beat Wanganui High School 75-67, then scored a commanding 88-52 win over Otumoetai College. Boys' High have one more game in pool play - against Rosmini College - before top-eight crossover play begins.

New Plymouth Boys' High School's Jaron Doyle puts up a shot during his side's 88-52 win over Otumoetai College

The New Plymouth side dominated all the way against Otumoetai.

Leading scorers were Brooks 11, Lachie Fenwick 11, Harries 10, Beauden Giddy nine, Albertsen eight, Aaron Ransfield seven and Paul Stephenson six.

Fifteen-year-old Brooks, 1.9m, had his work cut out defending Otumoetai's 2.08m Alex Schipper, 18, but did well limiting his scoring ability.

New Plymouth Girls' High School also qualified for the top eight playoffs with four straight wins.

Yesterday, Girls' High made it four on end with a 47-38 win over Rotorua Girls' High School. Their earlier wins were an emphatic first-up 89-38 victory over Kristin College, a 66-53 win over Cashmere High School and a 69-47 win over Kavanagh High School from Dunedin.

Hawera High School, also competing in the girls' competition, opened with a 58-43 win over St Peter's College, Cambridge. Hawera lost their next two matches - 63-54 to Auckland Girls' Grammar and 75-63 to Rangiora High School.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/7766220/Boys-High-off-to-outstanding-start