Basketball: Emotions high in AIMS final

St Mary's College player Zaaliyah Fulu (with ball) in action against Rotorua Intermediate. Photo / Supplied

There were tears and cheers at the buzzer in a tense girls' basketball final at the NZCT AIMS Games.

St Mary's College (Auckland) emerged the 2015 champions, edging out Rotorua Intermediate as the 32-29 game went right down to the wire last week.

Rotorua had made it to the final undefeated. They then dominated the first half in the decider, going into the break leading 16-0.

St Mary's coach Joanna Kailahi wasn't worried though - all through the semifinals the first half had been their bad half.

She was certain her girls would be all right.

"We just needed composure. Our girls were prepared. They knew what they were doing. It was just up to them."

Rotorua clung to the lead until the last 30 seconds as a resurgent St Mary's nipped at their heels. A crucial error gave St Mary's No34 Eleohn Totua an opening to make the penalty shots that took her side to a 30-29 lead.

With the clock running down Rotorua mounted a determined defence - the score was so tight there was still a chance to win - but a final St Mary's basket in the final 10 seconds put that to rest.

As the buzzer blared St Mary's No18 Zaaliyah Fulu burst into tears of relief, overcome with joy.

"I'm so happy we won. I felt very pressured [towards the end]."

Rotorua coach Hinei Taute said both teams gave it their all in a tight game, and St Mary's had deserved their win.

"That's what you want a final to be, made it worthy."