Ashburton College’s Kambell Stills (left) and Marc Juntilla contest a rebound during their win over Hornby on Tuesday night. Photo supplied.The Ashburton College senior boys’ basketball side took on Hornby High School in their Thomson Trophy division II competition on Tuesday night and notched up another win, just a day after upsetting the fancied Rangiora High School in a school exchange.

Coach Brian Kerr said it was going to be interesting how the boys backed up from their big effort against Rangiora the previous day, with some sore bodies following that upset win, but Ashburton started off with a zone press in the Canterbury secondary schools’ competition game which created immediate results and they eventually ran away to a 74-45 win.

Hornby were guilty of some loose passing early on, gifting Ashburton some easy baskets.  Whilst they settled down, Ashburton were still able to score relatively easily through their offence and went into the break 26-11 ahead.

The second quarter was a closer affair even though Ashburton had extended the lead after a Fotu Hala blitz, scoring 10 of his 18 game points in a four-minute spell.

However, they dropped off a little with some loose play which allowed Hornby to even things up a bit and Ashburton led 45-27 at half-time.

The final two quarters were mixed as the general play from both sides loosened up a little, meaning the game itself lost a bit of its shape, Kerr said.

“Not that the intensity had waned any, the boys still pressed hard and created turnovers, it was just some of the finishing wasn’t as polished as usual,” Kerr said.

In the end, Ashburton ran out comfortable winners 74-45.

Kerr said Harry Jackson was again dominant on the boards and the ever-consistent Hala also had another good all-round game, leading the scoring with 18 points.

The guard lineup of Marc Juntilla (10 points), Quinn Ritchie (10 points) and Sam Pearce (11 points) were a constant nuisance to the Hornby guards, creating turnovers and then being able to transition from those turnovers to the fast break.

“All the boys hit the scoresheet as well which is always pleasing, however it’s the general all-round game that is the satisfying part,” Kerr said.

“We do a lot of things pretty well, most of the time.  It’s about keeping that consistency going.  Overall, in this game we had some really good stages as well as some flat ones.

“Sometimes our passes weren’t finding the mark and we didn’t finish as good as we can especially on the fast break.

“In saying that the boys were still able to snap themselves out of those lulls and produce some quality basketball.

“The best part was that the College bench got some good minutes which from a coach’s perspective is really important.  They need court time to grow their games so it’s always good when that opportunity arises.”

© The Ashburton Guardian - 1 August 2018

Riley Sa hit a couple of big threes late in Ashburton College’s senior basketball side’s upset win over Rangiora High School on Monday. Photo Erin TaskerAshburton College’s senior boys’ basketball team pulled off a massive upset on Monday, downing Rangiora High School in a sporting exchange between the two schools.

Both teams played in the Canterbury secondary schools’ Thomson Trophy competition, but Rangiora were in division one where they were currently battling for a spot in the play-offs, while Ashburton were in division two where they were third on points differential.

The game was always going to be a gauge of where Ashburton were at compared to the division one sides, and coming away with an 86-81 win provided them with a huge confidence boost, coach Brian Kerr said.

“This was a game of belief.

“We weren’t expected to win this game, so the win is so much sweeter,” Kerr said.

“There were some big plays from a number of players just when it was really needed and from a coach’s perspective that is gold.

“I am really proud of these lads.”

Good early plays and aggressive defence creating turnovers, saw Ashburton start the better of the two, and they went out to a 23-12 lead at quarter time.

That form continued in the second quarter as they hit from long range and continued their intense defence, collapsing onto Rangiora’s big men inside and forcing turnovers.

That did get them into foul trouble and gave Rangiora trips to the line, but Ashburton still managed to hold a 45-38 lead at half time.

Rangiora did claw their way back in the third quarter and Ashburton’s offence struggled to keep their momentum going, and the visitors got back within two, down 66-64 with one quarter to play.

Kerr said the final quarter was a cracker as the teams traded blows and did not give an inch, but his side maintained their composure and hit some clutch baskets to open up a small gap, with Rangiora in turn having to foul to try and recover possession.

Even though Ashburton missed some free throws they managed to pinch some big rebounds and regather possession and were able to wind the clock down and take the win, Kerr said.

“It was a cracking game of basketball with both teams giving everything,” Kerr said.

“This was a real team effort where everyone played their part.

“Marc Juntilla had a massive game and was inspirational in the final quarter as he re-ignited college’s intensity and belief.

“Fotu Hala had another good game, pulling in rebounds and hitting some big shots and getting a big reject near the end of the fourth quarter to steal possession back for the college.

“Riley Sa again showed a maturity beyond his years.

“He hit a couple of big threes as well as pinching two free throw rebounds off the opposition.

“This gave possession back to college which allowed another opportunity to score or force Rangiora to foul.”

Penuel Pantaleon also hustled on defence and utilised his speed on the fast break, throwing himself into everything, Kerr said.

After a positive start to the week, the Ashburton boys returned to their regular Thomson Trophy competition last night against Hornby, with a spring in their step.

By Erin Tasker © The Ashburton Guardian - 31 July 2018

Ben Holland lines up a shot at goal during his Ashburton College first XI side’s 2-all draw with Rangiora High School. Photo Erin TaskerRangiora High School went home with a narrow victory to their names after a sporting exchange with Ashburton College on Monday.

The two schools were taking part in an annual sporting exchange in Ashburton featuring eight sports and 14 different games, and it couldn’t have been much closer, with Rangiora taking seven wins to Ashburton’s six, with the boys’ first XI hockey ending in a 2-all draw.

Ashburton’s biggest wins of the day came on the hockey turf.

The girls’ first XI picked up a commanding 5-0 win and the boys’ first XI were equally dominant, winning 6-0.

Rangiora dominated on the basketball court, winning three of the four games.

Rangiora won the senior girls’ match 62-56, the junior boys’ match 88-56 and the junior girls’ game 63-23, but Ashburton’s senior boys picked up an upset 86-81 win.

Rangiora also picked up wins in two of the three netball games, winning the senior B game 38-20 and the year 10A game 25-22, but Ashburton’s year 9A team picked up a 30-27 win.

On the rugby field, the two schools’ under-15 sides battled it out with Ashburton coming out on top 46-24, while Ashburton also won the squash 3-2.

In the volleyball it was Rangiora side who won 3-1, and the visitors also picked up the smallbore rifle shooting with a 94.5 to 91.56 win.

By Erin Tasker © The Ashburton Guardian - 31 July 2018