The Ashburton College basketball team put a confidence-boosting victory on the court last Tuesday night when they took on Christchurch Boys’ High School at the Oxford Street stadium.

After some tough battles in recent weeks, the College lads put an impressive performance together to claim the win with an 88-81 score line.

Defensively, they put the pressure on from the outset – but coupled that with a strong implementation of their offensive play. CBHS took their time to work into the game and by the end of the first quarter they trailed 24-18.

The second quarter was again intense with the visitors manning up in defence and putting the pressure on College. It wasn’t enough to get the lead at halftime though with College taking a 45-42 lead.

The match continued in intensity in the all-important third quarter and CBHS dropped to a zone defence which gave them advantage.

College however were up to the task and took a two point lead 64-62 going into the final quarter.

Early in the fourth, CBHS took the lead and the match threatened to get away from the College boys but they replied with a couple of important three pointers which allowed some breathing room, extending the lead to five.

With a couple of minutes to go College had a momentary lapse and managed to turn the ball over several times.

Luckily, they went relatively unpunished, so they were able to maintain their lead.

A timeout was needed to calm the nerves.

From here they played composed basketball which forced CBHS having to resort to fouling to put College to the line.

They were able to convert from the charity line to edge their way to a deserved 88 – 81 win.

For College Kambell Stills was outstanding.

He played the whole game and was a real handful on the offensive end as well as cleaning up numerous defensive rebounds for a man of the match display. He finished with 35 points.

Jamie Reid had a top game as well finishing with 19 points – he drove well to the basket as well as showing off his defensive skills.

Riley Sa continued to impress at both ends of the court and along with Reid, they hit three crucial three pointers to regain the lead halfway through the fourth quarter to take the game away from CBHS.

Jacob Tallentire was tireless on defence, however it was in the fourth that he showed his offensive rebounding skills pinching at least half a dozen bounds which allowed College to regain possession and work the clock.

This week College take on St Andrews’ College.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 27 July 2020