Tamaki Int. - AIMS Basketball Results Day Three

Tamaki Intermediats day of crunch results happened today. Facing a quater final battle with Tauranga Intermdiate School to qualify for the semi-finals Tamaki produced a strong defensive display that was matched by Tauranga. The game was 11-9 to Tauranga at half time and as late as the fourth quarter the score was only one point in it 13-14. Tauranga used the most of their home ground advantage though to take the game 15-24. Tamaki Intermediate were disappointed by the narrow loss but wish our friends at Tauranga Intermediate all the best for the semi-finals. Having to pick themselves up for a 5th/6th/7th/8th qualifier Tamaki's afternoon game was against one of the other host schools Otumoetai Intermediate. Tamaki were a bit jaded after the narrow loss in the morning and tried hard to pick themselves up. Going into the fourth quarter Tamaki found themselves thirteen points down 15-28. A run of ten unanswered points brought Tamaki right back into the game and it looked like another comeback was on the cards similar to yesterdays game. However it was not be as fouling trouble saw Otumoetai take the game narrowly 30-25. This means that the Tamaki Intermediate Girls now have to play off for 7th/8th tomorrow morning.

As the coach of the team who has worked with these Girls for the last 12 months, none of whom who'd played Basketball before last year, I'd just like to say how thrilled that I have been by their efforts this week. We've missed out on the semi-finals by the narrowest of margins and really could have been there but for a few close calls and the bounce of the ball. The standard of competition at the finals has been huge (much stronger than last year) and the team really has done well to maintain their composure and discipline in some trying circumstances. They have represented Tamaki Intermediate School with honour and pride and Miss Curran and myself are very proud of them.