The College Sport Auckland Basketball Championship Semi-Finals were held on Friday 16 August at Eventfinda Stadium.
In the Senior A Boys grade, Long Bay College had an incredible finish to win their semi-final against Northcote College by just one point.
Northcote was the top qualifier for the semi-final with Long Bay fourth. Both teams had beaten each other in their two previous meetings going into the semi-final.
It was close throughout the match with Long Bay holding a 20-18 lead at quarter-time and then at half time when Northcote led 42-40. Northcote then extended their lead in the third quarter to go into the final quarter with a six-point lead – 64 points to 58. Long Bay closed the gap with Jacob Jones-Harvey nailing two three-pointers, but Northcote then put a few points on themselves to hold a comfortable lead going into the final few minutes. Long Bay slowly pulled the gap back but Northcote went to the free-throw line in the dying seconds holding a two-point lead. They missed these shots and with 3.7 seconds left on the clock, Josh Brading won the rebound and passed to Hayden Druce who launched a shot from just over halfway and the ball sailed through the hoop as the full-time buzzer sounded, giving Long Bay the win 80-79.
Joyous emotion erupted amongst players and supporters, rocking the stadium over the next few minutes as the reality of what had just happened set in.
Attention now turns to the College Sport Auckland Championship Finals this Thursday at Eventfinda Stadium. Long Bay will take on St Peter’s College in the Senior A Boys Final at 4.30pm.
College Sport Auckland Basketball Championship Finals
1.30pm
- Junior Boys Final: St Peter’s v Auckland Grammar
- Junior Girls Final: Mt Albert v Massey
2.30pm
- U17 Boys Final: Saint Kentigern v Auck Grammar
- U17 Girls Final: Auckland Girls v Carmel
3.30pm
- Open Boys Final: Sacred Heart v Aorere
- Open Girls Final: Westlake Girls v Northcote
4.30pm
- Senior A Boys Final: Long Bay v St Peter’s
- Senior A Girls Final: Epsom Girls v Baradene
6.00pm
- Premier Girls Final: St Mary’s v Westlake Girls
7.30pm
- Premier Boys Final: Saint Kentigern v Rangitoto