AIMS Games: Hamilton’s Toku Mapihi Maurea and St Columba’s excel in 3×3 Basketball competition
Waikato Schools were on show in the fast-paced sport of 3×3 Basketball at AIMS Games with two standout performances. TKKM Toku Mapihi Maurea (Hillcrest) won the Mixed 3×3 while St Columba’s Catholic School (Frankton) came 2nd in the Boys Competition.
A small Kirikiriroa kura kaupapa Māori sent just one team to the AIMS Games this year and came home champions.
Four players from TKKM Toku Mapihi Maurea in Hillcrest beat 28 other schools to claim first place in the Mixed 3×3 Basketball competition. Jah-d Lawson, No’oroa Marsters, Parehuia Paki and Waikura Curtin went unbeaten over the two-day tournament, taking the final 13–9 against Highlands Intermediate from New Plymouth.
Manager Mariana Te Tai said while the players had experience in the traditional five-a-side game, they only started 3×3 earlier this year. With the support of coach Kahurangi Hawksworth, they quickly adapted to the half-court format, which is played with just one hoop.
Te Tai said the kura is too small to run its own basketball team, so players are aligned with Toa Sports Club. “The kids just love the game and want to play with a lot of heart and passion,” she said.
She added the team had little idea what to expect from the competition, focusing instead on “gelling together, building trust and upholding the values of the kura.”
“I don’t think the kids realise the scale of their achievement – they’re just happy to be out there playing basketball.”
Hamilton’s Mangakotukutuku College also sent just one team to the Mixed 3×3, finishing a strong 9th in what was the school’s first appearance at AIMS since becoming a Year 7–13 school in 2024.
Coach William Kokaua said the decision to attend was made “pretty short notice,” but the team of Edith Ngere, George Ganza, Katy Chea, Tunuiarangi De Thierry and Wally Riki were quick to rise to the challenge. With only a month of training, they had to learn new rules and adjust to the independence 3×3 demands.
“Kids have to coach themselves during the game, figure out the subs and manage themselves, all without adult input,” Kokaua explained.
He said the players showed maturity and teamwork, adding, “There is a lot of talent in our community and people willing to help the kids succeed.”
Mangakotukutuku head of basketball Jamie Kennedy said 3×3 is now the fastest-growing sport at the school, and the college is keen to show younger players a development pathway to senior and premier teams in both 3×3 and five-a-side basketball.
Other Waikato schools also made their mark in the Mixed 3×3. The Pirongia School team (Indi Marty, Lachlan Johnson, Nate Scott, Nellie Muckle and Obie Keelty), placed 4th while Cambridge Middle School finished 13th, Morrinsville Intermediate 16th, and Te Awamutu College 21st.
In the Boys 3×3 competition, the St Columba’s Catholic School (Frankton) team of Braxton Levet, Caleb Brooke, Jayden Bell, Rylee Kelly, Xander Coe had an impressive tournament, taking out second place in a close final against Whanganui Intermediate.
Berkley Intermediate performed well, with Berkley Team 2 (Grayson Waring, Jacob Sheath, Matthew Yang, Nic Manalang and Sam O’Rourke) taking 6th place, and Berkley Team (Ezra Yang, Hazen Kelly-Peihopa, James Jackson-Ford, Kieran Kahukura and Zeyda Piripi) finishing 9th.
For champions Tōku Mapihi Maurea, the victory was about more than scores and stats. Mariana Te Tai said the kura value of mahi tahi (working together), carried them through.
Check out all the other sports and AIMS Games results here
