NZSS Basketball Championships team profile: Rangitoto College Premier Boys

The 2016 New Zealand Secondary Schools Basketball Championships are being held from 26 September - 1 October in Palmerston North. Leading up to the tournament, College Sport Media is profiling some of the teams likely to feature.

Defending NZSS champions Rangitoto College will go into the tournament as the recent Boys Zone 1/Northern Region Secondary School tournament winners.

School:  Rangitoto College
Premier squad: Brayden Inger (Year 13), Cameron Stone (Year 12), Daniel Fotu (Year 12), Ethan, Mandeno (Year 10), Harrison Clarke (Year 12), Harrison Payne (Year 10), Hyrum Shin (Year 13), Kaycee Anibueze (Year 13), Logan Anderson (Year 12), Logan McIntosh (Year 11), Sam Waardenburg (Year 13), Zack Te Puni (Year 12)

Premier team coaching staff: Kenny Stone (Head Coach), Luka Crosbie (Assistant Coach)

Premier team captain: Brayden Inger

What’s it going to take for your school to do well in the NZSS Nationals?
We must play with passion and heart and we have to play as a team.

What local competitions has your school team played in this year and how did your team go?
We won the regular season of the Auckland Premier competition and took second in playoffs [lost to Rosmini College 84-88] We won the  Zone 1 qualification tournament [beat Auckland Grammar School 91-57].

Who are your school’s closest rivals on the court?
Westlake Boys’ High School is our traditional rival as we have had good battles with them over the years and Westlake was the powerhouse.  Rosmini College has formed a good rivalry as they have elevated their level of play and have beaten us twice this year.

Tell us about a memorable game your team has played this year? 
Our Auckland Premier semi-final against Auckland Grammar was played on the same night as the school’s Year 12 Ball.  All Year 12 players were away and we had one player injured.  We played that night with six players and won by 5 points. We played with such heart and effort.  It was a great win.

How many players are returning to the NZSS Nationals from last year and what’s the age balance?
We have three players who are returning for the third time. We have four players who are returning for the second time. We have four Year 13s, five Year 12s, one Year 11 and two Year 10s.

Who are the individuals in your team that play other sports?
Dan Fotu and Brayden Inger both played for the school volleyball team. Hyrum Shin played for the school rugby team.

What other support has your team received?
We have great support from the school, including Sherilee Penty as our Teacher in Charge. The parental and family support for the team is fantastic!

Who are the recent former players that have played for this Westlak team now playing at an elite level? 
Tai Wynyard – Tall Blacks / University of Kentucky, Isaac Fotu – Tall Blacks / Spain, Derone Raukawa – Tall Blacks

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