Howick College held their nerve to win the NZ Secondary Schools Netball Champs title after edging Avondale College 35-34 in a thrilling and dramatic final in Christchurch on Friday.
It was the second time Howick College have won the title in the 24 years of the popular national secondary schools’ event, their inaugural win coming in 2017.
Fitting of a final, the riveting contest remained on a knife-edge throughout with a drama-filled final few minutes as Avondale College fought valiantly to secure back-to-back titles, Howick holding on despite losing a player for the final two minutes for dangerous play.
"This has been the team’s goal,’’ delighted Howick College coach Adelita Sotutu said.
"We won the Auckland competition, won the Upper North Island Secondary Schools, beating Avondale both times, and I think we’re the only Auckland school to win all three. Last year when we came to the secondary school champs, we fell short so there was a bit of redeeming ourselves for this one.
"Our key word today was together, and the girls all did it together and had each other’s back. It’s a great result.
"We’ve had a big year against Avondale, they have always set the standard and I’ve learnt a lot from just watching the way they play and how they’re coached, they’re an amazing team.’’
Between two very evenly-matched teams where both ends of the court excelled, the marginal difference was in the midcourt where Howick’s tall midcourt pairing of centre Charlie Lindsay and wing attack Skylah Tainui-Takerei caused plenty of problems with their ability to block ball and pick up turnovers.
With Howick leading 10-8 at the first break, Avondale burst out of the blocks on the resumption, scoring the first three goals take the lead for the first time.
Plenty of patience was required by both teams in the face of smothering defensive efforts across the court as every play was fiercely contested. Slightly-built Avondale goal attack Sosina Malafu proved an excellent foil in taking the heat off her heavily-marked shooting partner Priscilla Rasmussen.
At the other end Howick shooters Sierra Lau’ese, with her strong hold, and Zermahnia Manu mixed up their play to great effect, allowing their team to hold a narrow 17-16 lead at the main break.
With their defenders turning up the heat and confusing the shooting space, Avondale regained the narrowest of leads. However, the resilient Howick remained well-engaged in the arm-wrestle, Lau’ese stamping her mark under the hoop with her accuracy, positioning and rebounding ability to give her side a 28-26 three-quarter time lead.
Avondale kept plugging away, throwing everything at the rivals, a key defensive turnover with three minutes to go helping them leave the scores all tied up.
With just over two minutes to go, Avondale were given a sniff when Howick goal defence Avah Sila was stood down. Standing firm, Howick gathered a dramatic turnover to take a one-goal lead. With seconds remaining, Avondale had one final chance to level up but a wayward pass ensured Howick held on to claim the title.
Saint Kentigern College secured third place following an all-the-way 39-29 win over Westlake Girls High School.
Leading by two at the first break, Saint Kentigern continued to build on their buffer through the remainder of the match.
Strong in the air, Saint Kentigern goalkeeper Madison Sanele was a shining light throughout, combining effectively with her defensive partner Lata Holi to restrict the Westlake shooters while snapping up a host of intercept opportunities.
At the other end, the athleticism and accuracy of shooters Marley Tangata-Toa and Caroline Kaifa, helped set Saint Kentigern up and wrest control of the match.
Better all-round efficiency across the court gave Saint Kentigern the upper hand as they increased their leads to 18-14 and 29-21 before closing out a comfortable win.