WBHS Premier Basketball vs Auckland Grammar
The Westlake Boys Premier Basketball Team travelled across the Bridge to play Auckland Grammar for the second time this season. Grammar was the only team to beat Westlake in the first round.
Auckland Grammar won the tip-off and put the pressure right from the start. Grammar kept this intensity up throughout the first half and Westlake worked hard to stay with them; Isaac Letoa worked hard to create shots for himself and others. Even so, great rebounding by Grammar kept them in front 48-38 at the half.
Westlake came out firing in the second half, behind a great press that pressured Grammar the whole way up the court. The constant pressure, especially from Greg Vukets at the top of the press, led to turnovers and some quick buckets for Westlake putting them right back in the game. Behind great defence, much improved rebounding and some great shooting, Westlake took the lead by 1 at the end of the quarter, a momentum that Westlake managed to continue into the final quarter. The team maintained the defensive pressure and kept shooting and finishing well, pushing the lead into double digits. In the final minutes of the game Grammar managed to hit some 3-point shots to cut into the lead. Joel Coffey grabbed some key rebounds and Matt Freeman, Logan Hunt and Isaac Letoa did a great job hitting their freethrows down the stretch to record a 92-84 win.
Isaac Letoa had a great first game back getting 21 points (6 of 8 shooting), 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Matt Freeman top scored with 31 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Logan Hunt also filled up the stat sheet with 19 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and a block.
Other basketball news
Matt Freeman
Westlake Boys seventh form student, 3×3 World Champ Matt Freeman’s fantastic year of basketball continues in exciting fashion. Next week Matt is part of the Tall Blacks camp to trial for a spot in the New Zealand line-up.
Following on from there, Matt heads back across to the States to be part of “Adidas Global Nations” tournament playing for the Asia team at the start of term three. The tournament is made up of the world’s top U18 players placed in regional teams. Seven regional teams (Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the United States) will take part in a multi-faceted international curriculum featuring NBA coaches and players, as well as current collegiate players who will act as camp counsellors. This opportunity will provide the young sports stars with invaluable insight and first-hand knowledge, illustrating the pressures, rigors and challenges that accompany the rise of any aspiring NBA star.
Westlake Boys High School wishes Matt all the best for these exciting times ahead.