CANOBOLAS Rural Technology High School endured a tough return to the NSW Combined High Schools final eight basketball finals a fortnight ago.

In the school’s first venture back into the final eight since 1987, the Canobolas open boys’ basketball side dropped all four of its games in a tough two-day period of basketball against some of the state’s best young hoop stars.

But, with Andrew Gray the side’s sole year 12 student, coach Carmen Dederer is anticipating a solid output in the annual NSWCHS tournament in 2016.

“We are looking forward to another successful year next year,” Dederer said.

Played at Terrigal, the Canobolas boys opened the tournament well with a strong performance against a tough Randwick Boys High outfit.

Dederer said the intensity and pace employed by Randwick left the Canobolas boys awestruck, and after settling throughout the first quarter eventually went down 75-39 to the eventual third-placed team.

The second game of the day was a much closer affair. 

With slow stars becoming a feature of the boys’ tournament, Canobolas’ rebounded well mid-way through its clash with Rooty Hill High and led throughout in the final quarter. 

But Rooty Hill capitalised on Canobolas’ foul trouble to take their lead out to nine in the dying moments, winning 63-54.

The final game of the round robin series was against perennial finalists Westfields Sports High, a side boasting a current under 17 Australian player. 

Canobolas ran well until the third quarter, but Westfields put their foot down at that point and ran out to a 30-point lead. 

A final quarter surge saw Canobolas outscore Westfields to reduce the deficit to 79-54.

Forced to play-off for seventh, fatigue set in for Canobolas during the final quarter of its clash with Maitland, a side that pulled ahead to win 56-46.

Despite the results, Dederer was still pleased with the effort from all eight players.

“Andrew Gray lead the team both on and off the court through his sportsmanship and effort, Matthew Gray averaged about 20 points per game throughout the whole campaign,” she said.

“Lachlan Baker was a huge contributor in rebounds. Ethan Bereyne developed into a powerhouse over the course of the campaign.”