Teams to look out for - 2019 NZ Secondary School Kī o Rahi Nationals part 5

This year we look at the Top 8 teams from 2018’s New Zealand Secondary School Kī o Rahi Nationals.

This week we look at:

LYTTON HIGH SCHOOL (RITANA TOA)

2018 NZ Secondary School Kī o Rahi Nationals - Jump Shot Lytton High School

Lytton High School is a co-ed school located in Gisborne with about 700 students of which nearly 80% are of Māori descent.

2018 NZ Secondary School Ki o Rahi Nationals - Lytton High School Tupu Manawa

Lytton are one of six schools to have won the NZ Secondary School Kī o Rahi Nationals, having lifted the trophy for the first time in 2015. They have regularly been one of the top teams in the country, they are also one of the more unique teams to watch, it’s likely they’ll have something new happening since we seen them last year.

2018 NZ Secondary School Ki o Rahi Nationals - Lytton High School

In 2018, Lytton started Day 1 in Pool C alongside Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tupoho, Cullnane College, Turanga Wāhine Turanga Tāne, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kawakawa mai Tawhiti and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Uri a Maui.

On Day 1, Lytton went through their Pool unbeaten, with wins against Tupoho 31 - 8, Cullinane 41 - 5, Kawakawa mai Tawhiti 20 - 6 and Ngā Uri a Maui 46 - 3. They also walked away with a tight win against Gisborne Girls and Boys 13 - 10. This meant Lytton topped Pool C and would face second place from Pool B, Hastings Boys & Hukarere Girls on Day 2. Talking to a few people in Gisborne last year, many had Lytton as the team to beat after pool play!

2018 NZ Secondary School Kī o Rahi Nationals - Lytton High School Jump Shot

Lytton defeated Hastings Boys & Hukarere Girls who for Hastings & Hukarere, it was the first time in the Top 8. This would put Lytton into the Semi-Finals where they would play Te Wharekura o Rākaumangamanga, this game drew a solid crowd with both teams having impressed on Day 1 and in their quarter final matches.

This semi-final came right down to the wire with Lytton almost drawing the game up in the final minute but Rākaumangamanga holding on for the win. This would have Lytton play off for 3rd and 4th against local Kura, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Horouta Wānanga.

2018 NZ Secondary School Kī o Rahi Nationals - Lytton High School

In another tight encounter Lytton lost to Horouta meaning they placed 4th for 2018. Definitely a Top 4 team, Lytton should be right up there again come Hastings!

For all the awesome photos from Kī o Rahi Nationals 2018 please head along to the Tairāwhiti Kī o Rahi page HERE.