Hopman stars in basketball win

National under-18 trialist Zane Hopman top scored with 15 points as Wairarapa College beat St Peters 69-62 in the latest series of matches in the Manawatu premier secondary schoolboys basketball league.
It was Hopman who led the charge in the first quarter which ended with Wairarapa College ahead 22-15. He was impressive on the rebound while others to shine were Wiremu Grace,introduced into the starting line-up after impressive form on his team's Hawke's Bay tour, Jacob Carson and Joel Ryland.
The second quarter was an entirely different story with St Peters creating panic in the Wairarapa College ranks with their press. Too often passes were thrown away and easy shots missed. Junior Corey McFadzean did, however, make some impact but when Charlie Findlay came off the bench to provide some much needed hustle he turned his ankle after scoring a basket and had to be substituted. St Peters scored 25 points in the quarter and went to the halftime break in front. The third quarter saw Wairarapa College go to a man to man defence in an attempt to stop St Peters from picking up three pointers .They also benefited from some much needed steals from McFadzean and Hopman and the slick offensive play of Carson and Grace. Joe Beech also managed a spectacular basket when he drove hard and scored with a hook shot over his defender.
Going into the fourth and final quarter Wairarapa College were in with a definite chance of overhauling St Peters and the decision to return to a half court zone worked well. The combination of Carson, the Hopmans, Zane and Pat, Grace and Andy Cameron were left on court for most of the quarter and they hustled effectively, picking up most rebounds and loose balls.
A three-pointer from Carson allowed Wairarapa College to draw level at 55-all and with coach Jane Thackray appealing to the players to maintain their intensity and concentration they responded splendidly to the challenge.
Joel Ryland, who had replaced Cameron, was fouled on his shot and importantly scored from his two free throws and Grace spearheaded a defence which kept St Peters under pressure The 69-62 win secured by Wairarapa College represented one of their best efforts of the season, especially considering they were without their two tallest players, Peter Beech and Lachie McFadzean, both of whom had rugby commitments.
Coach Thackray praised the character of her side, saying they had dug deep after a poor second quarter.
Leading scorers were Zane Hopman 15, Jacob Carson 13, Wiremu Grace 11 and Joel Ryland 8,