NASHS schoolboys best in the West

A group of talented North Albany Senior High School students have left no stone unturned, becoming the best schoolboys’ netball team in WA after a remarkable grand final win last Wednesday in Perth.

The NASHS team has won the boys’ netball title at the Great Southern carnival for the past three years but decided to try their hand at the next level.

They headed to Perth for the State championships, where they finished in the top four to book a place in last week’s finals at the State Netball Centre.

In the semifinal, NASHS crushed Bunbury Cathedral Grammar by more than 10 goals to set up a grand final against Willetton Senior High School, featuring 197cm Perth Wildcats development player Luke Travers.

NASHS won an epic decider, which went to the wire as they finished ahead 16-14 to be crowned the 2019 School Sport WA secondary netball open division boys’ champions.

Henrick Alforque was named most valuable player in the finals of the tournament.

Team captain Cyrus Upson said the team had a close bond and were proud of creating their only little piece of history.

“This is a great achievement for NASHS,” Upson said.

“We wanted some redemption after we couldn’t do it at basketball country week.

“We didn’t have one or two stars, we were evenly spread and that’s what got us over the line. They had a couple of giants defending, but we knew what we were doing and were smart with the ball.”

Coach Beck Gallimore said the boys had done exceptionally well.

“Their natural sporting ability is great,” Gallimore said.

“It was the first time we’ve sent a team up and they are just a very good team, no weak links when you make changes off the bench.

“The girls go to nationals. so potentially these boys might be able to as well.”

Gallimore praised Upson’s leadership in the championships along with Ryan Barber’s effort in defence.

The successful team was made up of Upson, Henrick Alforque, Kyle Kowalski, Barber, Coen Jackman, Sam Want, Henry Alforque and Pieter Coetzee.