Young Poi matches feat of Silver Ferns sister
Midcourter and captain Ashleigh Poi matched her Silver Ferns sister Kimiora's feat when she helped Napier Girls' High School capture a third consecutive Hawke's Bay Secondary Schools Super 12 netball title tonight.
"Yes I've matched what Kimi did but more importantly we made up for the disappointment of missing out on a third consecutive Super 8 title when we lost that final to Otane earlier this month," NGHS head girl Poi explained after her side beat Hastings Girls' High School 48-28 in tonight's final in Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena.
"It was awesome to have all our supporters here tonight as most of the Super 8 was played without crowds because of Covid," Poi said.
Like the other member of the NGHS team who tasted title glory for the third consecutive time, versatile midcourter Parris Petera, Poi, will move to Canterbury next year. She will start a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Environmental Science.
"Hopefully I will have time to continue to give netball a go too," Poi said.
During the upcoming school holidays she will turn out for her school's basketball team at a tournament arranged to compensate for the cancelled national tournament.
It was the ninth consecutive title for Poi's school. NGHS led 9-7 after the first quarter, 21-11 at halftime and 34-20 going into the final quarter.
Year 11 shooter Peta Heather did well to shoot almost 90 per cent of the HGHS team's goals. Goal attack Gaililee Hiko and wing defence Kahlia Awa were also prominent for the runners-up.
HGHS coach Denise Aiolupotea pointed out her side displayed plenty of promising signs for the future.
"We only lose three players from this year's squad next year while Napier lose seven. Next year will be our year," Aiolupotea said.
However Hawke's Bay Netball's development officer Aiolupotea, who is also a Hawke's Bay Tui rugby lock, won't be back next year as she is transferring to Wellington.
Delighted NGHS head coach Charissa Barham, who coached Havelock North High School to title honours in 2011 before the latest NGHS reign began, believed NGHS had enough depth to triumph again next year.
The former New Zealand Secondary Schools team coach and selector will be back in charge again.
Other division one games tonight saw Havelock North High School pip Woodford House 23-22 in the playoff for third and Iona College pip Taradale High School 20-18 in the playoff for fifth.
Karamu High School beat William Colenso College 36-34 in the division two final. The playoff for third went to extra time before Wairoa College beat Central Hawke's Bay College 34-32 and the playoff for fifth saw Flaxmere College beat Sacred Heart College 34-26.
