The culmination of hard work and dedication took the Year 7 Saints SAPSASA basketball team to the State Finals on Thursday 20 September and the chance at the State title.
Saints started the State Finals with a win against Mitcham Primary and then cruised through three games against Investigator, Kadina and Highbury. Tougher games against Whyalla and Vale Park brought out the character in the squad which would serve them well later in the day. We came out victors on both occasions by 8 and 11 points respectfully. The undefeated run put Saints clear winners of the table putting them into the Grand Final showdown.
Saints won the Grand Final against Trinity College 27-23 proving to themselves more than anything that a Saints team with selfless minded boys can overcome the greatest of challenges. Harry Bruce (Year 7) was outstanding in offence and Hieu Pham (Year 7) was a defensive full stop for Trinity’s guards. At the end of the day, the boys were crowned the 2018 State Champions. It is the first time Saints has won this long standing tournament and in just their third year of entering is a massive achievement, something they should all be very proud of.
Mr Darren Spiby
Basketball Coach
SAPSASA State Champions 2018
Soccer highlights
The First XI Soccer team recently played in the annual Joe Mullen Cup winning the Cup against Blackfriars Priory School 3-2 in extra time.
With five state players on Blackfriars side and with Saints Soccer Captain Tom McClure (Year 12) and Will Smithson-Tomas (Year 12) late withdrawals, it was going to be a challenge to retain the cup away from home.
Isaac Burnett (Year 12) scored the first goal of the game, with Blackfriars equalling the score quickly from close range and putting increasing pressure on our defence with their quick transition play. In the second half Tolomy Liapis (Year 9) put the team up 2-1 with a powerful shot across the goal, although Blackfriars quickly hit back with a stunning goal from outside of the box. The final stages of the game were tense with the match ending 2-2 in normal time. Going into extra time both teams had opportunities and goalkeeper Oliver Craig (Year 11) pulled off an excellent save to deny Blackfriars. In a goal mouth scramble Isaac Burnett scored his second goal of the match with Saints holding on to win the trophy. Keshav Shrestha (Year 10) was named player of the match for his performance.
Congratulations to the First XI Soccer Team on their outstanding year, with this being their fourth trophy of the season.
Mr Matthew French
Teacher-in-Charge Soccer
First XI Soccer Team wins fourth trophy for the season
Pedal Prix
The Australian HPV Super Pedal Prix Series is the largest event of its kind anywhere in the world, attracting teams from all over Australia. Participants race enclosed, aerodynamic trikes in a recumbent position (human powered vehicles). The series concludes with a 24 hour race, at Sturt Reserve in Murray Bridge. The gruelling race begins at 12-noon on Saturday, and ends at 12-noon on Sunday, and teams race at high speeds non-stop for the 24 hour period.
The sport is very unique, as students not only train physically for the races, but they also regularly maintain their team’s trikes typically during lunchtime and after school, and play a key role in planning for the races, teaching the boys useful problem solving, engineering, practical, and organisational skills. This year was the first time that Saints has entered 4 teams in the event, reflecting the strong growth and development of the sport over the years.
After the 24 hours, team Vector finished 2nd in the race and also 2nd in the series in Category 3 (upper secondary schools), with the fantastic result reflecting the many hours of extra training and involvement the boys have shown over the season. Delta-V finished 12th in the race in Category 3, a fantastic result considering most other school’s in the category only entered one team.
Schrittmacher finished 44th in Category 2 (lower secondary schools) after battling issues with their trike’s chain throughout the 24 hours, and Max-Q finished 13th in Category 1 (primary school), very impressive as they did not have as many riders when compared to their opposition teams, most of whom also raced year 6 students.
These results are Saint’s best results yet in the event, and reflect the strong growth of the Pedal Prix program led by staff and students. Every student raced very well, as evident by the good condition the trikes were in after the race and everyone should be proud of their work over the 2018 season.
Special thanks must go to teachers Mr Nick Lamont and Mr Coventry for organising the teams throughout the season, coach Fergus Kelso for his continued involvement in coaching and maintaining the trikes. Student Angus Ritossa (Year 11) developed an in-trike iPhone app and accompanying Mac App which allowed us to view trike location, lap times, and contact students while they were riding. A large number of students and parents also helped maintain the trikes, and support the teams. Without the help of these many individuals the sport would not be where it is today.
Other athletics news
Jonathan Harris (Year 7) recently returned from the Gold Coast where he competed in the Crick’s 5km race as part of the Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival. He came third overall in the event and on returning home received a gold medal for the U14 age group in the mail. His goal this year was to medal at a national event. He more than achieved this goal, returning home from Queensland with 3 bronze medals and a gold. It goes to show what can happen with some hard work, and of course some talent.
Squash update
Congratulations to Chathula Kiripitige (Year 9) on his selection in the SA State U15 Squash Team. He will play in the Nationals in Darwin from 28 September – 8 October.