Churchie dominates State High to almost seal outright GPS title, Terrace stay in hunt
Churchie have all but guaranteed the outright GPS Basketball premiership after a dominant performance against State High, while Terrace remain a mathematical chance with a big win over TSS. READ THE WRAP HERE.
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A massive upset is the only thing that could stop Anglican Church Grammar School from continuing their dominance of GPS Basketball after a dominant win over top four opponents Brisbane State High School has this year’s outright title all but guaranteed.
Churchie were impressive from the tip-off against State High as many of the defending premiers’ players celebrated their last home game with a 89-72 victory.
Worried about the team getting ahead of themselves, Churchie coach CJ Bruton had his team training even more in preparation for State High, who had pushed fellow contenders – Gregory Terrace and TSS – all the way earlier in the season.
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But Churchie’s pressure defence paved the way for the home side early on, with State High’s key players in Tane Kirisome and Haizyn Mellars struggling to get going offensively and both experiencing foul trouble in the first half.
Churchie guard Pat Foster drawing a charge on Mellars was arguably the most important play of the first half while big man Tristan Lacy was able to fly high for a highlight dunk on a State High defender.
The visitors had their brief moments on the offensive end with Mason Amos and others able to connect on several three-pointers on the trot.
But the pace of the game suited Churchie perfectly with players such as Lacy able to get to the basket at will and his teammates in Ethan Taafe, Harrison Pennisi, Kobe McDowell-White and Aiden Summerfield also attacking the basket and finding their range from the perimeter.
From there, State High managed to keep fighting but teams were ultimately trading baskets for most of the second half as Churchie finished with a 17-point victory.
The result means the undefeated Churchie just need a victory against Toowoomba Grammar School, who sit in the bottom half of the ladder, next week to win the outright title.
While on the Gold Coast, St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace kept their slim hopes of a joint premiership alive with an important 92-81 victory over The Southport School.
Now all Terrace, who have a bye in the last round, need is Toowoomba to beat Churchie.