After finishing third at the School Basketball World Champs in Macau, China (July 2024), Westlake Girls High School continued their impressive unbeaten run from the Auckland regular season into the 2024 New Zealand Secondary Schools National Championship, held in Palmerston North from 30 September to 5 October. Their dominant performance throughout the tournament highlighted the strength of their basketball program, led by coaches Bronwen Davidson and Nela Fotu.
Westlake sailed through pool play with commanding victories against Rangitoto College (102-44), Manukura School (87-38), Christchurch High School (100-25), Rotorua High School (104-37), and St Peters College (81-69). They advanced to the quarter-finals, defeating Hamilton High School 81-62.
In the semi-finals, they showcased their offensive prowess and defensive discipline with a 94-71 win over Tauranga Girls High School. The final was a rematch of the 2022 and 2023 championships against St Andrews College, where Westlake secured a resounding victory, 97-69, claiming their third consecutive national title.
Kodee Williams-Sefo earned the MVP award with a standout tournament performance, accumulating 110 points, 63 rebounds, 19 assists, and 21 steals. Other key players included point guard Amy Pateman, who contributed 108 points, 32 assists, and 22 steals, and Emma-Kaye Schroeder, who led the team with 165 points and 22 steals, demonstrating exceptional endurance. Forward Zenthia Stowers was the anchor in the defence and a key scorer with 96 points who disrupted many of the opposition’s plays.
Imani Rasmussen dominated the boards with 74 rebounds, using her 1.9m height to block many scoring attempts. Starters Elin Vincent and Lily Fotu were critical in the defensive lineup and impressed with their relentless hustle. They disrupted opponents’ flow and added deflections that caused other teams many headaches!
Charlotte Mawston added another dimension off the bench with her defence and speed, excelling on many fast breaks.
As one of the five seniors, Brennah Latoalevi-Nosa brings a calm and steady presence to the court, especially in high-pressure situations that require composure and patience. In addition to her leadership, she is a sharp three-point shooter, adding depth to Westlake’s offensive game. Most memorably, Brennah’s iconic pre-game chant, “Lock-In”, will leave a lasting impact for years.
With five seniors finishing high school this year, Westlake introduced three junior players to the squad, giving them invaluable experience at this pinnacle event and preparing them for next season as Westlake looks to defend their title once again.
Westlake Girls High School’s continued success is a testament to their rigorous preparation, exceptional teamwork, and the depth of their squad, making them the clear favourites at the Secondary School Nationals.
After the tournament, the team will take a well-earned break before focusing on end-of-year exams in November.
Their team bond, shared victories and defeats, laughter, and tears are critical to their success. They have plans to celebrate their remarkable season together at an end-of-year event with coaches, staff, and families, reinforcing their strong bond and shared achievements.
None of this would have been possible without the help of some fantastic organisations.
For the team’s national’s campaign, they received funding from the New Zealand Community Trust for accommodation and air travel costs. For the trip to China, it took six months of intense fundraising from students and parents, coupled with the generous support of sponsors, Precise Homes, Dils Funeral Services, the Asia NZ Foundation, Volvo Cars North Shore and Shakespeare Orthodontics.
Our school is extremely grateful for the support from these generous people.