Wairarapa through to basketball final

Wairarapa College are through to the final in pool B of the Manawatu secondary schoolboys premier grade basketball competition.
They clinched their spot when they hammered old rivals Dannevirke High 113-49 in their semi-final encounter.
It was the highest number of points Wairarapa College had managed in any game this season and their effort drew praise from coach Jane Thackray, who was delighted with the sustained pressure they applied on their opposition over all four quarters.
With a large group of parents cheering them on, Wairarapa College unsettled Dannevirke early in the first quarter with some tight defence. They also benefitted from the strong driving play of Lachie McFadzean and the long range shooting of skipper Jacob Carson.
Wairarapa College were also prepared for the tricky zone defence which Dannevirke adopted and countered that with some excellent ball distribution which invariably put players in open spaces. Big men Peter Beech and Andy Cameron both made an immediate impact when they entered the fray and with Joe Beech hitting a couple of baskets late in the piece Wairarapa College finished the first quarter with a handy 29-18 advantage.
The second period saw Patrick Topham replace brother Scott in the Wairarapa College line-up and replicate his hustling style of play as well. Charlie Findlay got himself into the scoring action and Peter Beech made the most of some good offensive rebounds.
As this quarter drew to a close the Dannevirke players were visibly tiring under the reletless pressure played on them by the Wairarapa College defence and by halftime all 12 Wairarapa College squad members had received court time and their side led 54-30.
In the third quarter Wairarapa College changed their defensive system to a double teaming zone press and with Carson, Hopman and Scott Topham leading the way it was a tactic which worked well. Hopman stole possession on several occasions and usually converted his good work into two points on the board. Cameron also starred in some fine offensive play as did Wiremu Grace who contributed a quick eight points when introduced into the action.
Impressive too for Wairarapa College was the rebounding of Cameron and Lachie McFadzean and they were able to initiate fast breaks for the likes of the two Tophams and Carson.
By the end of the third quarter Wairarapa College had stretched their lead to 83-35 and had conceded just five points in that period of play.
The fourth and final quarter saw Wairarapa College relax and produce some of their best team basketball of the year.
All team members played a big part in the victory but none more than skipper Jacob Carson who scored 34 points and took 10 rebounds.
Other points scorers were Zane Hopman 17, Lachie McFadzean 17, Peter Beech 11, Andy Cameron 10, Wiremu Grace 8, Joe Beech 6, Scott Topham 6, Joel Ryland 4 and Charlie Findlay 2.