Photo credit - Joe Serci TACKLD Photography

Story courtesy of College Sport Media

When the school year started for the Wellington East Girls College (WEGC) senior basketball squad, the team’s leaders had mixed feelings on what the season would bring. On one hand there was the reality of a seventh-place finish in the 2023 competition. However, last year, their junior team were winners of their league. Half of that successful team would graduate to make this year’s Premiers squad. And joining those players would be the junior’s winning coach, Ed Szeto.

Ed’s coaching influences, some key senior players and a crop of talented juniors would all contribute to WEGC winning the Sharp Cup. A trophy they last won in 2020, when they beat a physical Sacred Heart College team in a covid-affected season.

WEGC’s place as Wellington top secondary school girls’ basketball team is further confirmed with their not having lost a single game in this year’s competition. Even their final’s win over 2023 title holders St Mary’s College was achieved in a nonchalant manner. With the 73-57 win, they didn’t endure any real scoreboard pressure.

The team’s senior players, Portia McLean and Harmony Renner-Hughes, credit a number of factors for the team’s success. The pair were very quick to praise their coaches. As a college team, they feel they have really benefited from the quality advice offered by Ed, Buzz, Bulou and Salo.  The coaching crew worked together to craft winning game plans. They also introduced customised training programs, that allowed each player to build on their skills.

Also important was the WEGC support factor. At the start of this year, the school’s sport captains agreed to better support and help each other, with more attendees and louder vocals at each other’s games. And it has been a good year for senior sports at WEGC. As well as basketball, the school were winners in football and finalists in hockey.

In addition to the senior success, the WEGC junior basketball team retained their title. Like the seniors, they beat St Mary’s in their final, winning 68-59. This year’s juniors were again coached by Ed and assisted by Carre. The Juniors went on to win the 2024 Junior Schools Zone 3 Girls Premier title, the final saw a rematch with St Mary's in a close 59-54 game.

Given the growing pool of basketball talent, Portia and Harmony both feel the school should continue to be successful in basketball over the next 3-4 years.

Despite their success in the local competition, things got a bit unstuck for the Premiers at the senior regional basketball competition. The draw saw them facing eventual tournament winners Napier Girls’ High School, in the crossovers. A 69-64 loss would limit their progress.

As a sign of depth in Wellington girls’ basketball, a young Queen Margaret College side, did represent the Capital in the final. Similar, to WEGC, they also found Napier Girls’ High School too difficult an assignment.

WEGC finished fifth overall. The fifth-sixth game was a replay of the Sharp Cup final with their achieving another win over St Mary’s College. Although many winter sports team have long packed up for the year, WEGC continue training and adding to their game. Some of the work-ons include strengthening their offense, this includes strengthening offensive boards but also having confidence to shoot from the lane.

Regionals gave the team, exposure to higher level opposition which tested the team’s ability to handle pressure. The senior leaders know they need to better maintain composure especially in the closing moments of tough games. The regional tournament was also good in that it gave the team a trip-away together. Given the different ages of their team, this gelling should make them a better unit at nationals.

The 2024 Secondary Schools Nationals AA Girls are being played at the Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North. It starts Monday 30 September, with it being played out over the first week of the school holidays,

WEGC are in Pool C and have again drawn some tough opponents. Hamilton Girls’ High School, Takapuna Grammer School, Epsom Girls’ Grammer School, Columba College and Napier Girls’ High School.

Queen Margaret College and St Mary’s are both drawn in Pool B. They will play Saint Kentigern College, Mount Maunganui College, Kaiapoi High School and St Andrew’s College.

We wish WEGC, Queen Margaret College and St Mary’s all the best, in representing Wellington, at this year’s Nationals.

Article added: Tuesday 01 October 2024