Open Boys Basketball

On Wednesday 5th March our Open Boys Basketball team travelled to Griffith for the South-West Zone Gala Day. As reward for our success in 2024, NHS was awarded a first round bye which put us straight into the Semi Final against Griffith High School.

With our big man Isaiah leading from the front, we started well against a very strong Griffith High team. The boys were playing tough, hard basketball and at quarter time the score was 9-9, reflective of the close nature of the match. By halftime it was 19-19, at three quarter time it was 29-29 and despite holding a three point lead inside the last two minutes, with 30 seconds to go it was 39-39. Talk about tense. Unfortunately for our boys Griffith broke the deadlock with a long three, and we couldn’t get it back in the last twenty seconds, going down in a heartbreaker 42-39.

After the close loss, we were eliminated from the gala day meaning our next match was purely for fun and enjoyment – as all junior sport should be. Our starting five from the first game all started on the bench, and some valuable court time was afforded to our young guns Liam, Jed and Bryce, along with RG and Sam. The boys started well but you could tell the first game had sapped their energy and desire, as at times they were just going through the motions. There were several highlights with just about everyone hitting the scoreboard this game, as the tight contest came down to the final minute once again. Down three with 15 seconds left, Isaiah drove strong to the hoop and was probably unlucky not to get the and-1. Down one with 6 seconds on the clock, we got the jump ball turnover which led to us having 2.3 seconds to get the potential winning shot up. It came to Felix whose baseline jumper just clipped the front rim and skimmed over the back, mere millimetres in it but that’s basketball sometimes, it just wasn’t our day going down 52-51.

Myles was adjudged the Players Player of the day for his tireless work on both ends of the court. A great performance by a very strong group of young men, the majority of which will get another chance next year. Well done gentlemen, you represented your school with pride, determination and sportsmanship and we couldn’t be prouder of you.

Special thanks goes to Ella for coming with us to referee, as without the refs the games wouldn’t go ahead. Thanks Ella.

Mr David Kroek

Open Boys Basketball Coach