Holidays, who needs them? Not the SJC Eagles and our hard working basketball parents! When BBNZ cancelled the Secondary School Nationals, our top players were devastated to miss a crack at the title for which they’d been training and preparing for years.

In steps Mr Lally to invite the top North Island teams to compete for the Mel Young Memorial Trophy instead. Not quite the Nationals for sure, but this tournament was the biggest show in town for Secondary School basketball this year, and what a privilege to be hosting it here in our new Marcellin Gym and remembering the man who launched our outstanding basketball programme.

Live streaming across multiple platforms including Sky Sport and Māori TV offered our players  a taste of the Big Time, and boy did they make us proud. Played over three days in the October break, the competition was fierce and the SJC Eagles had a tough run to the final.  A close first half against Scots College in the final left a packed crowd of spectators feeling uneasy, but the Eagles stepped up a gear in the second half to claim the Trophy with a comfortable win. This was an especially fitting win for a crop of Year 13s who were lucky enough to train under Mel as 11 year olds.

The College is super appreciative of all the parents, committee members and coaches who supported this tournament, and a special thank you to HBHS who hosted games in their gym. 

And we bid a very fond haere rā to special group of Yr13 ballers who have now finished their time with us. Over 5 years you’ve worn the SJC singlet with pride, played for each other and for Mel, left nothing in the tank, and wowed us with some truly spectacular play. We wish you all the very best and hope to see you play again here at SJC one day.

Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe me maunga teitei

Pursue that which is precious and do not be deterred by anything less than a lofty mountain