The team played eight games over four days of competition. Day one saw us take on Rangiora New Life and Aparima College, two tough opponents for the first day of pool play. The team had to adjust quickly to the high level of competition and while we kept both games close through into the 4th quarter, ultimately we started the tournament 0-2. Catholic Cathedral College was also a tough matchup on day two, with DHS coming out with a narrow win 55-53. Kavanagh College turned on an impressive defensive performance to turn around a half time deficit, to snatch victory away from us in the second game.

The team bounced back with a strong performance in a win against Waimate High School to kick off day three. This pushed us into the quarterfinals where we met an undefeated Hornby High School. Closing a third quarter double digit deficit down to within four points early in the 4th quarter we gave them a solid challenge, but Hornby eventually came away with the win.

The final day of the tournament saw the boys get revenge for their day two loss to Kavangh High School with an outstanding team performance from start to finish in a 73-48 win. This was hands down the best performance of the team over the four days with everyone on the roster contributing on both ends of the floor leading from start to finish. This win advanced the team to the 5th/6th place playoff where a strong Greymouth High School team bounced back from an early deficit to take the win, handing us 6th overall to finish the tournament.

For a squad with very little exposure to schoolboy basketball, against teams playing in strong high school competitions, this squad punched well above their weight so they deserve a huge congratulations for their efforts. They only got better as the tournament progressed and ultimately were very unlucky to not have finished inside the top four. With the exception of Kieran Boyd, who played an integral role as our starting centre, the squad will be back again next year to compete and aiming to qualify for Nationals. Aparima High School went on to win the tournament, moving through all four days without coming close to a loss. We wish them all the best for Nationals in Palmerston North in October.    

2022 Team -  Back Row (From Left) Darrin Mills (Coach), Elias Banks, Nikora Kavangh, Xavier Liddell, Kieran Boyd, Taine Herbert-Nicho, Julian Coleman, 

Eileen Jansen (Manager) Front Row (From Left) Kade Robertson, Kaleb Zimmerman, Leif Tippet, Jack Bastow, Isaiah Mills