College basketball player turns in stunner

An outstanding individual performance by Peter Beech highlighted an improved performance by Wairarapa College in their Manawatu secondary schoolboys basketball league match with Freyberg last Friday.
Beech finished with impressive statistics of 18 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks four steals and one assist as Wairarapa College put up a brave fight before losing 57-45.
Some tight defence by both sides saw few goals being scored in the first quarter. With no referees turning up the game was refereed by a coach of a team involved in a previous game and exchanges were generally physical in nature.
It was Corey McFadzean who opened the scoring for Wairarapa College and Beech came to light as well despite the fact he received close attention from Freyberg's best player, a Junior Tall Black in 2005. Lachie McFadzean also got his name on the scoresheet as well as picking up some loose rebounds in defence and at the end of the quarter Wairarapa College trailed by just two goals.
The second quarter saw Wairarapa College show greater control in their offensive play with the McFadzeans both pulling off some good steals and Jacob Carson making amends for some earlier turnovers by driving down the middle to score.
There was also some solid defensive work from Steven Ashby and Zane Hopman although Wairarapa College struggled to cope with the scoring skills of Freyberg's star player, who provided enough scoring opportunities for either himself or his team-mates to take his side out to a 26-20 halftime advantage.
The third quarter saw Wairarapa College coach Andy Thackray call for a change of tactics with the emphasis being on a zone defence which would limit the inside threat from Freyberg. Initially those tactics worked well, but then there were communication problems and Freyberg capitalised. However, to Wairarapa College's credit they regained their composure and with Beech dominating the offensive boards they hit back to win this quarter and give themselves a chance of overall victory.
The fourth and final quarter was tense with Wairarapa College coping well with Freyberg's pressing defence, but failing to convert possession into points. With six miniutes to go Freyberg had moved out to a 10-point lead so Thackray brought Corey McFadzean back into the game in a last ditch effort to get some steals and baskets for Wairarapa College.
McFadzean worked hard to produce the goods, but Freyberg maintained their cool and with their lead not being reduced Thackay subbed on his bench for his experience and despite a three-pointer from Scott Topham Freyberg won 57-45.
Thackray was justifiably pleased with the improvement shown by his side, especially with the way they had coped with the physical nature of the match.
Scorers for Wairarapa College were: Peter Beech 18, Lachie McFadzean 9, Jacob Carson 7, Scott Topham 3, Zane Hopman 2, Corey McFadzean 2, Joel Ryland 2, Patrick Topham 2.