Gregory Terrace survive scare from State High in three-point win to stay undefeated
St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace have kept their hopes of an outright GPS Basketball premiership alive despite being pushed to the brink by Brisbane State High School.
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St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace have ended Brisbane State High School’s hopes of challenging for a GPS Basketball premiership despite being pushed to the brink in a match-up between two of the competition’s heavyweights.
Last year’s joint premiers needed a late push from guard trio Max Mackinnon, David Eltima and Nazar Angalo to overcome State High 83-80 on their home court this afternoon.
State High went into the game needing a win to keep their title hopes alive after a late fade out against TSS last week but it was Gregory Terrace who jumped out to a lead in the first half.
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Mackinnon, Eltima and Angalo were doing most of the damage for Terrace with an impressive cameo from big man Ose Motuga.
But despite having the momentum, Terrace weren’t able to pull away from the hosts and that proved costly in the third quarter as State High started to male a comeback.
From there it was the combination of Haizyn Mellars and captain Tane Kirisome, who led the fightback, while big man Mason Amos also hit several crucial three-pointers to level the scores.
The Kris-Robinson coached team continued their hot form in the fourth, leading by as many as six points with just three minutes left.
However, Mackinnon, Eltima and Angalo flicked the switch on both ends of the floor, earning some crucial stops which turned into fast break lay-ups for Terrace, who held a three-point lead with three seconds left.
Kirisome then had a last-second three-point attempt to tie the game for State High but it missed the mark for Terrace to take the victory.
Terrace coach Matthew Hamilton-Smith said he was pleased with his team’s fight in such a tough match-up, especially ahead of a meeting with Churchie next week.
“I think it was just a great game between two tough teams,” he said.
“They started making some tough shots which led to their run and ultimately having the lead but we were able to battle back, get some crucial stops and scores to get the win.”
Hamilton-Smith also had nothing but praise for Mackinnon, Eltima and Angalo.
“They were great,” he said.
“Max just is so smart and knows how to execute during tough stretches and crucial times while Nazar and David are just workhorses and take on the challenge of guarding people full court for 40 minutes.”
Hamilton-Smith said he thought the close game was the perfect preparation for next Saturday’s crucial match with Churchie.
OTHER GPS ROUND 5 RESULTS
– Anglican Church Grammar School def Brisbane Grammar School 164-44
– St Joseph’s Nudgee College def Ipswich Grammar School 81-59
– TSS def Toowoomba Grammar School 97-71