Register 2020

six games had to be played without spectators being present. This situation did not, thankfully, prevent the team from gaining a win against Cashmere High School, beating them in the Thomson Trophy competition for the first time. Unfortunately, a subsequent poor performance meant the team went down to SBHS on the buzzer, which set up a showdown with St Bede’s to try and qualify for nationals. In a back and forth game, the boys withstood many punches from St Bede’s and managed to win the close match – therefore qualifying for both the nationals and the semi-finals. This was the third time College had qualified for the nationals since the competition began in 1968. Unfortunately, again due to coronavirus, nationals was cancelled – but qualifying was still a great achievement. In the semi-finals we ended up playing St Bede’s for the fourth time. This again proved to be a tough battle, but the team built an early lead and held on during a St Bede’s comeback to qualify for the Thomson Trophy final. The final was against our biggest rivals St Andrew’s College, who we had lost to by six points in a fiery encounter earlier in the season. Some incredible timing meant the final was played on the first day back at alert level 1, which meant supporters were allowed and – in probably the largest event in months – 1000 people packed into Cowles Stadium to support the teams. The game started close, before our team took off and built a huge lead, which we held on to for the win. This was College’s first time winning the Thomson Trophy after coming close in 2017 (at that time losing to Cashmere by just one point). With both the South Island and national tournaments cancelled, the best five teams in the South Island came together in Christchurch to compete in the South Island Invitational Tournament. The boys

continued to improve, but the tournament proved challenging. The team managed to beat Nelson College and StAC in pool play, but went down in double overtime to both Waitaki Boys’ High School and Otago Boys’ High School. Nevertheless, this was still enough to make the final. In the final the team played some of its best basketball, beating OBHS by 10 points to take the win and add more silverware to the 2020 collection. Thanks to our three Year 13 students Wil de Geest (83 games), Fletcher Miller (90 games) and Nale Fifita (68 games) for their contribution to the basketball programme over the past few years. Also a huge thanks to Ed Book and Dee Miller for their contribution coaching and managing the team in 2020. With 10 of the squad returning the team will look to build on a successful season and again try and take College Senior A Basketball to new heights in 2021.

had great spirit. Daniel Qi provided appropriate pre-game motivation, and all players contributed in every match. After what seemed a short season, we qualified for the final against the Darfield High School A team. Having been beaten by Darfield earlier in the season, we knew to expect a strong game. Their tactics hadn’t changed and we had done our homework – and an improved defence saw us win the match quite comfortably. It was a great achievement to be crowned Division 1 champions for 2020. Ian Stevenson TiC Senior B Coach

SENIOR BLUE BASKETBALL

Manager: Samantha Squire Coaches: Canterbury Rams Team: Peter Bodie-Healy, Guy Clarke, Edward Davidson, Louis Elworthy, Will Hutchinson, Barnaby Middleton, Bradley Shearer, George Trolove, Jack Yang The boys displayed an enormous zest for both the game and their teammates. Louis Elworthy was voted most valuable player, with Guy Clarke a very close second. Despite Bradley Shearer suffering a debilitating hand injury preventing him from playing, he was voted the most valuable team member. Brad was on the sideline of each game, both home and away, coaching and encouraging the team to perform at their best. In our final game against Burnside High School, George Trolove played a blinder. His scoring was on point – making 22 out of the 60 points – and helping to take the team to a generous 60–36 win. This was in contrast to our first game against Burnside, which resulted in a close 38–40 loss. This improvement over the season demonstrates the drive and determination of the boys’ teamwork. Samantha Squire Manager, Senior Blue Basketball

Ben Sheat MiC Basketball

SENIOR B BASKETBALL TiC/Manager/Coach: Ian Stevenson Team: Alfie Baker, Charlie Hanson, Oscar Harcourt, Jono Henderson, Winston Hutchinson, Oscar Nott, Daniel Qi, Archie Roberts, Hanson Xie, Eric Yao After the decision was made not to play an U20 team in the Saturday competition, the Senior B was formed and entered in the top Senior Boys division. After a stutter of a start and a warm up game against a Year 11 Shirley Boys’ High School team, we got underway. Covid-19 restrictions saw us playing in empty gyms, which was disappointing because the quality of basketball was high. With each game the boys improved, playing more as a team than individuals. Alfie Baker became dominant as a centre player, and Oscar Nott and Hanson Xie controlled the game from the guard position. Although competitive, the team

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Christ’s College Canterbury

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