The Open Boys basketball brewed as an interesting battle after last weekend’s SAAS finals results – St Michael’s took out the Div 2 championship, whilst Trinity faltered and finished runner-up in the Div 1 final. It hasn’t been close for the last few years, but with a young and emerging St Michael’s group, Trinity was on notice that the Intercol gap was closing.
Right from the start, however, Trinity’s size, strength and speed were a huge factor in the game. Trinity dominated inside, and the St Michael’s team was left to bomb away from the perimeter to try and exert scoreboard pressure. Trinity cruised to a 20+ point lead early in the third quarter courtesy but a flurry of threes from St Michael’s medallist Noah Woolcock drew the game back to 12 points before a concerted effort to score inside the key broke the game open again for the final margin.
Intercol Medalist Agok Panther was very disciplined and patient at the offensive end, acting as a quarterback from the low post, and his voice and leadership on defence kept us organised down that end. Michael Herjok was aggressive offensively for a team-high 15 points, whilst Deng Manyang was also dominant close to the basket.
The Open A season is hitting the pointy end now, with a state quarter final match-up against Modbury HS on Sept 4.
Scorers: Michael Herjok 15, Deng Manyang 13, Kaui Deng 12, Makai Dornford 10, Charlie Forgione 10
Intercol Medallists: Trinity: Agok Panther, St Michael’s: Noah Woolcock