Newington took on SHORE in the Basketball GPS Premiership winning 88 def 53 on Saturday 14 March. It was the last game of the GPS season and the stage was set with a simple equation: if Newington won, then we would be the Deny Hake Shield winners for the 2014 – 2015 season, lose and we would come second.

With a full gym and great atmosphere, the game got off to a nervous start for both teams. Baskets were hard to come by and with Newington caught up in the moment, our offensive flow was not at its normal, efficient self. Grant Anticevich (11/KL) who scored 25 points and 16 rebounds was a leading light during this period, getting rebounds at both ends of the floor and making shots, which kept the scoreboard ticking over for Newington. The half time score was 38 – 27 Newington. The second half of the game saw a far more focused Newington team with Makuach Maluach (11/FL) who scored 27 points and 13 rebounds and Tom Ostinga (12/LE) who scored 13 points and 6 rebounds providing excellent inside targets that were well fed by Connor Miller (12/KL) who scored 9 points and 5 assists and Jaidyn Goodwin (11/JN) who scored 6 points and 4 assists. The house was rocking, the boys were rebounding and running and as time expired we found ourselves on top as GPS Premiers.

It was the wonderful teamwork paired with Newington not losing a game in the GPS competition this year that led us to victory. With only one loss coming in round one last year, the boys have shown great resilience to build a six win and one loss record for the season.

Now the boys go on the quest to become NSWCIS champions – Go NEW!

Mr Rex Nottage
Director of Basketball