Lacey Lowdown:
Auckland Girls Grammar School completed the double of AA Zone 1 Premierships and College Sport Auckland Premier titles after withstanding a spirited Westlake Girls High challenge to win 70-66 at North Shore Events Centre on Saturday.
AGGS, benefitting from double figure contributions from Mele Latu and Elianna Tuaiti, appeared to be heading for a comfortable victory when they led 57-43 at the three-quarter mark.
However WGHS produced a string of baskets courtesy of Jess Moors and Emme Shearer to reel in the AGGS lead and when Shearer, who scored a game high 32 points, knocked down her fourth triple of the game the scores were tied at 59 points apiece with 4 minutes to play.
Rionne Papa restored the AGGS lead but a Moors And-1 play reversed the advantage with 2:05 to play.
The two teams exchanged free throws on the next couple of possessions before Papa scored again to open a three points margin (67-64) in favour of AGGS inside the final 60 seconds.
Jordyn Maddix, a key contributor for Lake, dragged the lead back to two but AGGS and Elianna Tuaiti in particular held their nerve.
There was plenty of support from south of the bridge and they were able to breathe a little easier and cheer a little louder as Tuaiti made crucial free throws to clinch a hard earned win.