Wednesday Update: Match reports from our AIMS Reporters on girls’ basketball, boys’ futsal, netball and girls’ football.
Girls’ Basketball
By Reporter Bridget Bywater-Lutman
The girls’ AC basketball team played exceptionally well today, beating Whangaparoa Intermediate by a whopping 25-4. If they beat their next opponents, who lost to Whangaparoa, they make it to the top eight.
They started strong in the first quarter, leading Whangaparoa 13-2. The pace slowed slightly in the second quarter but in the third Aquinas scored eight goals to lead 21-2.
The game got very intense in the fourth quarter and the pressure upped a bit but AC pulled through and ended the game 25-4.
Team member Kaitlin Cope (Year 7) shared her thoughts on the game:
Q: You are the only year 7 on the team. How do you feel about that?
A: “I’m really happy I’m on the team.”
Q: How long have you been playing basketball?
A: “Around 2 to 3 years.”
Q: How do you feel about the game?
A: It was good. They were a pretty easy team to beat even though they were supposed to be one of the top-ranked.”
Q: How many games have you played?
A: “We have played five games.”
Girls’ Football
By Reporter Charlotte Clarke
The Aquinas girls’ football team yesterday (Wednesday, Sept. 11) took on Hamilton’s Berkley Normal Middle School, scoring a victory after an evenly matched but intense game.
The final score was 1-0 to AC, with Laria Howse (Year 7) getting the only goal of the match. The team was ecstatic with the win. They have now won three out of seven games.
Coach Jake Taylor was extremely happy with the result. Team member Sally Collings (Year 8) said it was more intense than their last game.
After playing so many games their legs are now “really sore every day.”
Netball
By Reporter Saraiah Surgenor
Yesterday, the Aquinas netball team played Waihi College in a close match, ending with a 19-15 loss.
Coach Tara Sinclair said the team played really well, used their skills effectively and worked well as a team. They have improved a lot and built a lot of trust and friendship, she said.
The team is made up of Year 8 players with one Year 7, Henrietta Coxhead, as the shooter.
By Reporter Vienna Vale
Year 8 netballer Casey Gerrand was proud to be named MVP of yesterday’s close match against Waihi College.
Coach Tara Sinclair said Casey deserved the title because of how well she played. “Casey 100 percent earned this title, she did very well and made a huge impact when she came on,” she said.
Casey’s highlight was working and learning together with the team. She enjoys playing with her team and improving together.
Waihi won the game 19-15.
By Reporter Daisy Kim
You know the great battles of old? The intense, fiery ones where you could never guess the outcome since your opponents had the same skill level as you?
Yesterday’s Aquinas versus Waihi netball match was like one of those battles. It was action-packed and filled with excitement and tension. Both teams were neck and neck until Waihi surged ahead to win 19-15.
AC team captain Maria Collie(Year 8) said while it wasn’t the best game, everyone tried their best and gave 100 percent.
Shooter Henrietta ‘Hetta’ Coxhead is the only Year 7 on the team and the tallest player. Playing on the team has given her new tips for improving her game.
Futsal
By Reporter Piper Horton
The Aquinas futsal team won yesterday’s evenly-matched game against Tauranga Intermediate with a last-second goal to a hard-fought 4-3 win.
AC goalie Keegan Murphy (Year 8) saved many goals which was crucial to the team. He and Emmett Farell (Year 7) were the game’s MVPs.
“At the start, we were a little scared they were coming back at us from when we beat them last time, but in the end, they were an easy team to play,” said Farell.
Coach Andre was glad the team won.
