JHC & Aparima punch Nationals tickets

James Hargest College Girls are Palmerston North-bound after comfortably disposing of Middleton Grange to confirm a top six spot and earn a Nationals berth yesterday at the NZ Secondary School Region 4 AA tournament at ILT Stadium Southland. In Dunedin, Aparima College continued their undefeated run, winning their quarterfinal to advance to the final four of the A tournament and also ensure a spot in next month's Nationals.

James Hargest Girls controlled their contest from start to finish to run out 78-44 winners and will face Cashmere High at 1:15pm on Saturday for 5th & 6th.

Their male counterparts enjoyed an outstanding day, defeating Marlborough Boys College 66-49 before backing up to claim an overtime win over Ashburton 79-75 and set up an 8:00am clash with cross-town rival Southland Boys High to start the final day of action.

Southland Girls High made it back-to-back wins in dominating Craighead Diocesan 72-42 while Southland Boys banked a win and a loss, dropping their morning battle with Waitaki 100-74 before taking care of Riccarton 102-76.

Meanwhile in Dunedin the Aparima College senior boys remain undefeated. Results from pool play:

won 95-90 v Catholic Cathedral (in overtime)

won 84-63 v Dunstan

won 93-45 v Kavanagh

won 80-54 v Waimate

won 90-73 v Rangiora

They beat Greymouth in yesterday afternoon's quarter final to progress to the final four and qualify for nationals in Palmerston North.

Quake Webster is Aparima's top point scorer with Kalani Grimwood in close pursuit. The team has been outstanding defensively and rotations off the bench able to maintain the strength and intensity on court.

Saturday sees the finals decided in both tournaments. In Invercargill the Boys' semifinals will see Waimea College take on Cashmere High and Christs College face Nelson with both games at 11:30 with the winners meeting in the Final at 4:45pm. The Girl's Grand Final will pit Rangiora against St Andrews at 3:00pm.