IT was a battle of the school teams in the premier A competition on Saturday.
Columba senior A beat St Hilda’s senior A 58-34 in its second game in the top grade.
A full-team performance contributed to its win, all players getting time on the court throughout the game.
Not much separated the teams early on and Columba had a three-goal lead at the end of the first period.
A big effort at the start of the second quarter was the difference, as the team scored eight in a row to lead by 10.
It was able to score off its own centre passes and create turnovers throughout the court.
Columba wing defence Millie MacKenzie, who moved to centre later in the game, deflected plenty of ball and collected intercepts.
Defender Emilie Nicholson blocked a few shots early and, paired with Holly McRae, was tight on the St Hilda’s shooters.
St Hilda’s goal attack Ella Southby found space around the top of the circle and shot the bulk of the goals, often at long-to-mid-range.
The teams scored relatively evenly for the rest of the quarter.
Columba’s lead extended to 12 by halftime and then by another five in the early stages of the third stanza.
The team was able to score quickly and its midcourters connected well with its shooters.
It kept St Hilda’s to just six goals in the third while scoring 18 of its own.
St Hilda’s wing attack Sophia Tutty was consistent for her team, driving well off the centre pass and throwing nice feeds into her shooters.
Her team had a great start to the final quarter, scoring five in a row.
It made a few positional changes, which worked well — Southby moved to centre and picked up a turnover early, while the defenders worked hard to disrupt Columba attack.
Both teams scored 11 goals in the final quarter, but Columba’s lead was set earlier in the game.
In other games, Phys Ed A beat College Red 71-43, College A defeated Phys Ed B 57-45 and the Southern Magpies beat Phys Ed C 68-39.
JESSICA WILSON
