NZSS Secondary Schools Basketball Championships team profile: Waimea College

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

Waimea College go into the tournament as the recent Girls Zone 4/South Island Secondary School tournament winners and are looking forward to travelling to Palmerston North for the nationals.

School:  Waimea College
Senior A squad: Amiee Book, Lauryn Hippolite, Kate Dohmen, Maleina Grey, Chanelle Hibberd, Rachel Paton, Bailee Tava Olivia Daniel, Melissa Phyn, Aimee Berkett, Georgia Green, Holly Chandler (injured and not travelling)

Senior A team coaching staff: Ed Book (Head Coach), Lisa Book (Assistant Coach), Maree Dohmen (Manager)
Senior A team captain:  Amiee Book (captain), Lauryn Hippolite (vice-captain)

2016 Representative players:  NZ U16 2015 – Amiee Book and Lauryn Hippolite; U17 Tasman Representatives – Amiee Book, Lauryn Hippolite, Kate Dohmen, Olivia Daniel; U15 Tasman Representatives – Aimee Berkett, Georgia Green; U17 BBNZ Talent Identified players – Amiee Book, Lauryn Hippolite

What’s it going to take for your school to do well in the NZSS Nationals?
To continue to play with heart and determination and stay injury free. The team also needs to continue to focus on the things that we do well.

What local competitions has your school team played in this year and how did your team go?
Winners of the Nelson Colleges/High Schools competition; Winners of the Senior Women’s Club competition; Winners of the SISS [Zone 4] Regional Championships.

Tell us about a memorable game your team has played this year?
Our quarter-final against Christchurch Girls’ High School at the SISS tournament. This was a do or die game for us against a very tough opponent who we thought we didn’t match up that well against. It was a real defensive team effort with special mention to our big player Kate Dohmen who clogged up the middle and had a big rebounding game. Likewise on offence we had a great shooting night led by Amiee and Lauryn.

How many players are returning to the NZSS Nationals from last year and what’s the age balance?
We have three players that have been at the nationals before. We have three year 10 students and two year 9’s, with only two players leaving at the end of this season, one being Holly Chandler who is injured and not coming to nationals.

Does your team have a motto or philosophy that it comes together under?
We always have a team song that we play in the van on the way to the game which gets us focused. Song yet to be decided, we get a feeling for the song once we get to tournament.


Who are the individuals in your team that are successful in other sports?
Amiee Book – volleyball, netball; Holly Chandler - volleyball, netball; Lauryn Hippolite - volleyball, netball; Maleina Grey – mountain biking; Kate Dohmen, Chanelle Hibberd,  Aimee Berkett, Georgia Green – netball.

Who are the recent former players that have played for this Waimea team now playing at an elite level? 
Jelena Vucinic, Gracie Roberts, Shannon Perrot and Jodi Hikoroa.


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