From tip-off to buzzer-beating jump shot – College commands court
W ith only three seconds left on the clock, Christ’s College won its second national basketball title in 2024, celebrating one of the greatest seasons in school sport history. With the scores tied at 88–88, national tournament MVP Tama Isaac stepped up to land a two- point floating jump shot before sealing the win with a free throw, delivering a 91–88 victory over Napier Boys’ High School in the final moments. Driven home by leading scorers Ihaka Cate (24 points), Hoani Ifopo-Togia (24), Tama (20), and Boston Paerata (17), the unbeaten tournament powerhouse would not be denied in the final game. Ihaka (10), Tama (seven), and Hoani (seven) also led the court in total rebounds while Tama (five) and Hoani (four) took the honours in assists. For College, it was the second title win in three years, following the breakthrough victory in 2022. Ihaka – then in Year 10 – was a
member of that first champion team, along with 2024 players Aston Nijjar, Gus Eglinton, and Truman Heath. As Ihaka explains, the 2024 national basketball title “means everything”. “Winning was unreal. The atmosphere and electric energy in those final seconds were so overwhelming – it was the first time I had felt so nervous and stressed this whole year. The title was so close to our grasp and that final was just something else. We have worked so hard and winning the title is a recognition of that hard work.
“We always strive to improve further as a team and build that chemistry that has carried us through the whole year, so to win that national title is truly amazing. “We are strong because we are focused on making each other better. During the whole year, we have been driven by the motto:’ We, Us, Our’. Everything we have done – from training to simply hanging out – has been for the benefit of making each other better and strengthening the connections we have with each other. We have held our training standards to a very high level and have not settled
“This title builds on our legacy as a school. We are a school that praises quality, effort, and unity and this title reflects those values. I hope it stands as a goal and aspiration for all those boys coming to College.”
COLLEGE 2024
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