Celebrating the 2025 SBA Secondary School Basketball Season

The 2025 Southland Basketball Association Secondary School Competition tipped off back in May and wrapped up with an action-packed Finals Day on August 15th. Over three months, hundreds of students laced up their shoes, representing their schools with pride, competing hard, and showcasing the growth of basketball in our region.

Senior Premiership Thrillers

The Senior Girls Premiership Final once again belonged to James Hargest College, who claimed their seventh straight title with a commanding 79–46 win over Southland Girls’ High School. Lily Tufui led all scorers with 20 points, while Libby Crawford chipped in 16 and Kiana Rangiuaia added 13. Southland Girls showed plenty of heart, with Ruby Duffy top scoring on 11.

The Senior Boys Final delivered fireworks, with Southland Boys’ High School edging James Hargest College in a 84–77 thriller. Alex Stevens was unstoppable with 34 points, supported by Max Savory and Cairo Lee (15 each). For Hargest, Will Jack poured in 33 and George Thomson added 15, keeping the game alive until the final buzzer.

Junior Grades Shine Bright

In the Junior Girls Final, James Hargest College battled past a determined Te Wharekura o Arowhenua 29–23. Greer Barclay top scored for Hargest with 8 points, while Kyra Batchelor impressed for Te Wharekura with 9.

The Junior Boys Final saw James Hargest secure another trophy, defeating Wakatipu High School 63–48. Flynn Wyatt (22) and Abasil Elfaki (21) lit up the scoreboard, while Wakatipu’s Alfie Johnson fought hard with 17.

More Than Just Competition

Beyond the premierships, SBA was proud to see social leagues thrive through Term 2, and in Term 3 we launched our brand-new 3x3 league. These competitions gave students of all skill levels the chance to play with their friends, have fun, and experience basketball in the way it’s meant to be enjoyed.

2025 Award Winners

🏆 Premiership Champions

• Junior Girls: James Hargest College (Runners-up: Te Wharekura o Arowhenua)

• Junior Boys: James Hargest College (Runners-up: Wakatipu High School)

• Senior Girls: James Hargest College (Runners-up: Southland Girls’ High School)

• Senior Boys: Southland Boys’ High School (Runners-up: James Hargest College)

  
  

🌟 Most Valuable Players

• Junior Girls: Evie Charlton (James Hargest College)

• Junior Boys: Flynn Wyatt (James Hargest College)

• Senior Girls: Libby Crawford (James Hargest College) – for the second year in a row

• Senior Boys: Alex Stevens (Southland Boys’ High School)

  
  

🎖️ Other Honours

• Promising Referees of the Year: Myles Henry (Verdon College) & Parks Laverty (James Hargest College)

• Te Toa Pukenga Rau Trophy: Jade Russell

  
  

⭐ All Star V SelectionsJunior Girls All Star V

• Abby Dawson (James Hargest College)

• Kyra Batchelor (Te Kura o Arowhenua)

• Trisha Edwin-Raimoa (Te Kura o Arowhenua)

• Imani Te Wiki (James Hargest College)

• Evie Charlton (James Hargest College)

  
  

Junior Boys All Star V

• Jacob Humm (Verdon College)

• Oliver Orr (Wakatipu High School)

• Alfie Johnson (Wakatipu High School)

• Albasil Elfaki (James Hargest College)

• Flynn Wyatt (James Hargest College)

  
  

Senior Girls All Star V

• Charlotte McIlwrick (Central Southland College)

• Lucy Raines (James Hargest College)

• Ruby Duffy (Southland Girls’ High School)

• Elly Baird (James Hargest College)

• Libby Crawford (James Hargest College)

  
  

Senior Boys All Star V

• Jerome Tabang (Central Southland College)

• George Thomson (James Hargest College)

• Will Jack (James Hargest College)

• Cairo Lee (Southland Boys’ High School)

• Alex Stevens (Southland Boys’ High School)

The 2025 season was a celebration of talent, teamwork, and community. From fierce rivalries on Finals Day to the joy of friends playing together in social and 3x3 leagues, basketball continues to grow stronger in Southland schools.

A huge thank you to the players, referees, coaches, and supporters who made this season such a success. We can’t wait to see what 2026 will bring!