ASC Quarter Finals Action: Day 3 wrap

Majority of Divisions have entered the quarter final stage of their competition and the action in Newcastle is heating up.

For the full schedule and results go to the official website Australian Schools Championships.

Championship Division Match Reports – Wednesday Quarter Finals

Box Hill Senior Secondary College 84 def Willetton Senior High 24 – Championship Women
The beginning of the Quarter Finals saw the battle between 1st place team Box Hill (pool A) and 4th place Willetton (pool B). From the tip off both teams remained even, until Box Hills’ Simone Ruedin set the tempo for her team scoring 8 of the teams 12 in the first quarter. Box Hill came out dominant in the second and third quarters, extending their lead to 58-13. Simone Ruedin top scored with 16pts, 5 rebounds and 4 steals, although these stats are a stand out her team was behind her all contributing to the final result (Emily Schill-14pts, 10rebounds. Morgan Pink- 12pts, 9rebounds). After a quiet three quarters, Willetton came out in the 4th quarter with Ella Kennedy scoring a team high of 10pts and accumulating 6rebounds and 6 steals. However Box Hill was too physical, especially with 50% of their points coming from the paint and the team dominating the boards, this resulted in an 84-24 victory, moving them onto the Semi Finals.

Caulfield Grammar School 75 def Concordia College 66 – Championship Men
Caulfield came out favourites for this quarterfinal matchup placing first in their pool but Concordia’s team camaraderie made it an interesting matchup. From the whistle, Caulfield seemed to control the game gaining an early lead of 17-11 at the end of the first quarter. Caulfield extended their lead in the second with Lachlan Mair top scoring for the game with 23 pts and 6 rebounds. At the main break Caulfield seemed to have a comfortable 9 point lead however Concordia’s coach David  Shepherd brought his team into the third with high spirits and the will to win fighting back for the lead from Caulfield. Concordia’s Chris Tomet carried his team into the lead with continuous hustle and providing his team with 6 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists along with Hayden Kanisaukas hitting 2 crucial 3’s at the end of the third. Also Concordia’s William Crouch weaved his way through Caulfield’s defence always managing to get to the rim, top scoring for his team with 20 points. However Caulfield managed to maintain their composure in the fourth quarter with Luke Hughes knocking back timely shots (19 points) to capture the win.

John Paul College 75 def Westfields Sports High 67–Championship Women
With a semi final place on the line and both teams bringing in good form to the finals, this was shaping as a good match up. The teams went hard from the opening tip off and slowly John Paul College built their way to a 10 point lead before Westfield came back with some adventurous play and by the end of the first quarter, John Paul’s lead was only 2, 21-19. The second quarter kicked up a gear and with no less than 6 lead changes and both teams playing with everything they had. Mikhaela Donnelly was pulling in rebounds from everywhere and putting basket’s away at will for John Paul, whilst Kimberley Elter was industrious for Westfields. At the half time break, the slimmest of margins separated the teams, 36-35 John Paul’s way. The crowd was right into the game by now and when the teams hit floor for the second half, no one would expect the tempo and desperation to go any higher, but it did, and from both sides. John Paul’s team work pulling in 45 rebounds was matched by Westfields intensity on the ball, but the key to this match was John Paul’s ability outside the arc, with a massive 11 three pointers for the match, and despite ending the third quarter 2 points behind, John Paul eventually got over a tiring Westfields team to go on the semi finals with a 76 -67 hard earned victory. John Paul’s Megan Cantellano-Little lead all scorers with 21 for the game.

Willetton Senior High 64 def  Brisbane State High School 58 – Championship Men
These two teams have made their way through the tournament on the back of some great shooting and hard defending, so this game was always going to be a tight affair. Willetton claimed bronze at this tournament last year and would be expecting to go better this year, but Brisbane State have been very consistent all week, and were never going to give in freely. A very tight opening quarter saw Brisbane ahead 15-12 and looking to goods across the boards. This trend continued into the second quarter with Andy Chen and Nick Chia controlling their team excellently, and by half time, their 7 point lead was looking like a winning one. Half time 35-27 to Brisbane State. Again the third quarter was tight. Big defence and big fouls were abundant as both teams made their presence felt, but despite all the tough play, Brisbane State maintained a 3 basket lead. Midway through the term Willetton found their groove and some big baskets on the back of solid play from Bola Orundami saw them cut the lead and eventually take over with less than 2 minutes on the clock and lead 45-44 at three quarter time. The crowd by this stage had built to well over 600 and the atmosphere on main court was electric. Every basket and every play was roared on by the crowd undecided on who was going through to the semis. The final quarter was epic, and of a standard many were hoping to see from the Championship division. Jackson Hussey for Willetton grabbed 18 points for the game and helped by teammate Josh Johnson with a game high 14 rebounds the boys from Western Australia  needed every bit of composure if they were to win the game. But Nick Chia with a game high 19 points and Andy Chen with 18 points explored every opportunity to snatch back the lead for their team. With less than 2 minutes on the clock, scores were level, and at the 1 minute mark Willetton had just a 2 point margin in their favour. Coaches boards were flying during the final minute as each team were searching for an answer to the victory. But ultimately, Willetton’s 5 free throw’s from 6 in the final minute was enough and they won the game 64-58. A great game by both teams, and questions were being asked if Willetton had played their Grand Final early.

Xavier High School 64 def Unley High School 54 - Championship Women
Current Champions Xavier High School have not had a great tournament so far this week, whilst Unley have been solid without being great, and this game is an opportunity for both teams to get their campaigns back on course. The opening quarter was a tight contest with both teams nervous on the offense but tough on defence and after several lead changes the quarter went to Xavier 12-10. But it was Unley who came out the aggressor in the second quarter driving quickly past Xavier on the scoreboard with a commanding 18 -2 run. It was apparent early this game was going to be determined by two players, Xavier’s Emma Mahady and Unley’s Amy Shaw. Both women have had great Championships so far, and both are key to their team’s success. By the end of the quarter, Unley looked the goods, and with a massive vocal courtside supporters group, they were 30-20 to the good. Xavier Coach Dale Gleeson tasted success last year, and whatever he told the team at half time should be bottled as his team from Albury came out a new side. Emma Mahady found a new gear and her team mates went with her as they piled on 22 points to 4 for the quarter, a total reverse of the previous quarter, and they hit three quarter time with a massive three pointer on the buzzer to lead 42-34. Once again, a very large crowd had now gathered as both teams supporters found their voices and nearly lifted the roof off main court. The teams traded baskets, fouls, steels and turnovers. Amy Shaw was inspirational and at one stage, pulled in a towering offensive rebound, made the bucket, turned around and picked off the incoming pass to turn and drive at the basket for another 2 points. Unley were lifting and Xavier seemed vulnerable for a period, only leading by 3. That’s when Emma Mahady (27 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists) returned serve to her opposing go-to-girl Unley’s Amy Shaw (32 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals), with composed and smart play to take out a memorable encounter 64-54. There is life in Xavier yet as they look to go for back to back Championships.

John Paul College 82 def Don Campus 70 – Championship Men
The winner of this game would have a semi final against the highly fancied and undefeated Caulfield team, but any thoughts of that game would spell certain elimination from the medal matches if they under estimated their opposition currently on court. Both teams have played some inspired basketball at times this week, and the opening quarter was no exception from either side. John Paul took the early points and led 24-19 at the first change. The Don took charge in the second quarter with Lucas Simpson continuing his good Championship form. They won the quarter 24-15 and stole back the lead by 4 at the main break 43-39. John Paul’s Jim Wallis was busy all night with some unbelievable plays keeping his team in the contest. It appeared John Paul were running to the scoring end as once again momentum swayed and John Paul took the lead and started to accelerate away from a tiring Tasmanian Don Campus team. At the end of the third, John Paul had a 10 point lead, with the workload spread across the whole team and looked the goods at 64-54. John Paul Captain Joshua Ogunmokun was again inspirational to his troops doing much of the heavy work. The final quarter saw the yellow team of Don Campus search for answers to overcome the deficit, but John Paul were clinical in shutting them out and under the sharp shooting of Taylor Barry with 25 points, John Paul booked themselves a shot at the gold medal game, if they get through a tough semi final. Final score: 82-70 to John Paul College.

Caulfield Grammar School 66 def Rosny College 56 -Championship Women
Caulfield came into this game undefeated in the Championship and looking like going right through without a loss if they continue playing the basketball they have in the first two days. Rosny have battled hard all week and just seem to be a couple of key players down. This result seemed to be academic, but no one told Rosny. A great first quarter saw teams level 13-13 at the break and another huge effort from Rosny had Caulfield rocking on their heels as they only lead by 1 at the main break. Rosny was sending everything through Ashton Eaton with great support from Alex Finlayson as both were in fine form tonight. Caulfield were much more communal in their approach with several players sharing the load. As the third quarter started many expected Caulfield to click into gear and run away with the game, but Rosny’s Eaton and Finlayson had other ideas as they scrambled and fought for every ball and again Caulfield could not shake the Rosny team. At three quarter time a massive upset was on the cards, as Rosny only trailed by 2 points, 46-44. But the dark blue team from Victoria did start to play ball in the last stanza and eased away from Rosny to take an 11 point lead midway through the quarter. Georgi Lovelace (15 points) and a big 20 rebounds and 14 points from Marena Whittle saw Caulfield take their place in the final four teams still in contention for the Championship. Rosny’s Ashton Eaton did everything she could for her side with a game high 30 points and her efforts alone deserved a better result. Caulfield winners 66-56.

Newington College Lake 71 def Ginninderra College 42 – Championship Men
Newington are in great form and Lake Ginninderra not so, and it only took 15 seconds for Mert Korkusoz to grab the first 2 points of the game to establish the lead and Newington were never headed from there. Down 21-10 after the first quarter and 43-22 at half time, Lake Ginninderra were certainly competitive, but Coach Rex Nottage has arrived with a Newington team very focused on the task at hand of winning the Championship. Newington’s Daniel Hill was again very good with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. The second half wasn’t much better for the Lakers, although their commitment was never questioned, and indeed it was their best quarter of the night. Newington cruised to a convincing 71-42 victory and all the other teams will now be on notice that winning the Championship is not going to be easy with a New South Wales team in such hot form.