National A title for Manukura girls

The Manukura girls’ basketball team buried the memory of losing last year’s final to win the New Zealand A secondary schools title with a 91-70 victory against Ellesmere College.

Having lost to Opunake High School in last year’s decider, they went one better this season, in the A competition for schools with smaller rolls, taking out the final at the Arena on Thursday night.

Led by tournament MVP Rochelle Fourie, Manukura led 27-15 at quartertime. Ellesmere stayed in touch, but Manukura still led 49-38 at halftime.

Manukura then went on a 6-0 run to start the second half on their way to a 60-40 lead midway through the third period, and a 70-49 advantage with a quarter to go.

Ellesmere trimmed the lead again, but Manukura went on another run to seal the win.

Coach Joe Frost was delighted with the efforts of his team.

‘‘They have worked hard and come together well as a team,’’ he said.

‘‘We play a high-tempo game . . . to wear the opposition down and I think that showed today.

‘‘This enabled us to get on top and maintain our advantage.’’

Fourie finished with 24 points and 17 rebounds, while Harata Coleman scored 21, Brody Manson scored 14 and Hope Stanshall 12.

Fourie, Coleman and Talon August were all named in the tournament team.

Morgan Trott (33 points and 16 rebounds) led Stratford High School to back-to-back A boys’ titles, as they beat Te Aroha College 97-75 in the final.

Manukura finished fifth in the boys’ competition.

The premier AA competition has reached the semifinals, which were to tip off yesterday morning.

The boys’ semifinals are St Patrick’s College, Wellington against St John’s College, Hamilton and St Kentigern College against Rosmini College.

The girls semifinals are between Westlake Girls’ High School and Hutt Valley High School, and Saint Peter’s Cambridge play Queen Margaret College (Wellington).

Palmerston North Boys’ High School lost 100-63 to Rosmini in the quarterfinal.

Palmerston North Girls’ High School beat Rangitoto College 94-91 in their ninth-to-16th quarterfinal.