Here Come the Girls!

When Mount Albert Grammar School became co-educational in 2000 there was a history of National and International success in boys' sports and a proud tradition of competition, dating back to 1922 and the 1 ^st XI Cricket team.

Now the girls at Mount Albert are cementing their place in the school's sporting history. With the Premier Netball team having won 4 titles and planning an assault on a National title, the Girls' 1 ^st XI Soccer team with the Auckland title and the girls' tennis team National Champions, last Friday it was the turn of basketball to take the spotlight at the North Shore Events Centre.

MAGS girls were represented in 3 finals at the Greater Auckland Championships in the U15, U17 and Premier grades. All three teams had done exceptionally well to reach the finals bearing in mind the short history of girls' basketball at MAGS, starting in 2002, and 2009 being the Premier team's first year at this level of competition.

Despite committed performances the junior teams were edged out in the final games but can be proud of their outstanding seasons. With some girls representing 2 teams fatigue was possibly a factor.

The Premier final was a feast of basketball with MAGS up against main rivals Rangitoto, a powerful and experienced side. With MAGS racing into a comfortable lead of 17 points the title looked assured but Rangitoto were certainly not beaten and responded with a devastating offensive spell to take a 5 point towards the end of the final quarter. With the lead changing hands several times MAGS Captain Adoniah Lewis kept a cool head on the free throw line to sink both shots and take the game into overtime at 66-66. This seemed just the inspiration the team needed and MAGS dominated the final minutes to take the title 76-68. Morgan Roberts played in the U17 and Premier finals, with Ashleigh Kelman-Poto receiving the MVP award.

Much of the MAGS girls' success is due to the vision of Api Taulapiu who, with Head Coach Julie Kelman-Poto, coaches Daryl Cartwright and Bernie Roberts, managers Rachel Laurenson and Anna Holman have built a firm foundation for girls? basketball at MAGS. The team now move on to the Nationals in Palmerston North hoping to complete a hat trick of titles, having been an inspiration to girls' sport and basketball at MAGS.