St Hilda’s Collegiate were crowned South Island secondary school champions after a comprehensive 56-43 win against Nayland College at the Edgar Centre yesterday.
It was a great reward for the Dunedin school, who earlier beat defending champions St Margaret’s College 38-28 in their semifinal. No-one came within 10 points of them across the four days.
St Hilda’s, coached by former Silver Fern Belinda Colling, went out to a 19-10 lead at the end of the first quarter in the final and extended to 31-21 at halftime.
They really put their foot down in the third quarter. St Hilda’s attackers had good depth on the ball and were never afraid to send a long ball in to their accurate shooters.
It helped St Hilda’s, who won back-to-back titles in 2016-17, push out to a 45-31 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Nayland put in an outstanding effort all week to make the A grade final, after being elevated from B grade last year.
Columba finished fourth. They were strong throughout the week but lost 25-19 to St Margaret’s, who finished third.
St Hilda’s, Nayland, St Margaret’s, Columba and St Andrew’s College have booked their spot at the national secondary schools tournament in Porirua from September 30 to October 3.
Twizel Area School were crowned B grade champions. They beat Menzies College 36-25 in the final.
Kaikoura School won the C grade after a 30-26 win against Golden Bay High School.
