With the annual ‘EKKA’ weekend break in competition this week, it is timely that we can look back on the first four rounds of AIC Term 3 sport and look forward to the exciting conclusion ahead in the 2024 Basketball, Rugby League and Tennis seasons.
Basketball
In the First V competition, Villanova remain undefeated after the first four rounds. In their closest game of the season, Villanova defeated a very talented Marist College Ashgrove in Round 1- 58-56 with the game in the balance until the final buzzer. Marist College Ashgrove have remained undefeated since, looking to capitalise on any Villanova defeats in any of the final rounds. Iona also have only been beaten once this season (Round 3 v Marist College Ashgrove) and their Round 6 fixture against Villanova will go a long way to deciding the First V premiership in 2024.
Across the Secondary Basketball Premiership Divisions, the following teams enter the final three rounds of competition undefeated:
2nd V: St Laurence’s
3rd V: Iona
4th V: Marist College Ashgrove
11A: St Laurence’s
11B: Marist College Ashgrove and St Patrick’s
11C: St Laurence’s
11D: Iona
10A: Marist College Ashgrove and St Laurence’s
10B: Iona and Villanova
10C: Villanova
10D: Villanova
9A: St Patrick’s
9B: St Edmund’s and St Patrick’s
9C: Iona and Villanova
9D: Villanova
8A: Iona and St Patrick’s
8B: Iona and Villanova
8C: Iona and Villanova
8D: Villanova
7A: Villanova
7B: Marist College Ashgrove
7C: Marist College Ashgrove
7D: Marist College Ashgrove
The Aggregate Competition is incredibly close with 4 schools appearing to be genuine chances of claiming the prestigious shield after the first four rounds. Villanova will be looking to secure their 7th consecutive Basketball Aggregate shield but on current results face very stiff competition from Marist College Ashgrove, Iona and St Laurence’s. Every game in the last 3 rounds will be important in deciding the aggregate shield, with the Round 6 clashes between Marist College Ashgrove and St Laurence’s; and Villanova and Iona going a long way to decide the overall champion Basketball school in the AIC for 2024.
AIC Primary Basketball fixtures on a Friday afternoon have been fiercely contested with a number of tight matches across the Year 5 and Year 6 Divisions. The following Colleges have undefeated teams so far during primary fixtures:
St Laurence’s: 6A, 6B
Villanova: 6C, 6D, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D
Iona: 5A, 5B
Padua: 6D, 5D
Rugby League
After a strong preseason that included a 3rd place finish at the Confraternity Shield competition, Iona has secured victory in their first four games of the First XIII Rugby League season. This has included victories against both Marist College Ashgrove (18-10) and Padua (46-6) who both also started the season as strong contenders for the First XIII premiership. There has been a number of tight contests, including Marist College Ashgrove defeating Padua (20-14) with a spirited comeback in Round 2 and Villanova scoring a last minute try to overcome St Laurence’s in Round 3 (16-10). Iona will need to finish well, with Marist College Ashgrove ready to pounce on the premiership table if Iona were to lose one of their remining fixtures.
Across the Secondary Rugby League Premiership Divisions, the following teams enter the final three rounds of competition undefeated:
2nd XIII: Marist College Ashgrove
Year 10: Marist College Ashgrove
Year 9: Marist College Ashgrove
Year 8: Iona
Year 7A: Padua and St Laurence’s
Year 7B: Padua and St Laurence’s
After a very strong first four rounds of fixtures, Marist College Ashgrove lead in the aggregate competition for Rugby League with Iona College looking to defend the Aggregate Rugby League Shield they won in 2023. It is a very close contest between the two schools.
The future of AIC Rugby League is bright with the incredible talent on display so far this season in primary fixtures. The following Year 5 and Year 6 teams are undefeated after 4 rounds.
6A- Padua
6B- Iona
5A- Padua
5B- Iona
It has been great to see the expansion of the AIC Rugby League competition, with both St Peters and AIC Guest- Ambrose Treacy College entering teams into the season.
Tennis
St Peters look to have one hand again on both the First IV Tennis Premiership and Aggregate Shield. The St Peters First IV Tennis team claimed a decisive victory against the previously undefeated Marist College Ashgrove in Round 4 (7-1). Both Marist College Ashgrove and Villanova (both 1 loss each) will challenge for the premiership trophy in the final three rounds.
Across the Secondary Tennis Premiership Divisions, the following teams enter the final three rounds of competition undefeated:
2nd IV: St Peters
3rd IV: St Peters
4th IV: Iona and Villanova
Year 10A: Padua and St Peters
Year 10B: St Peters
Year 9A: St Peters
Year 9B: Marist College Ashgrove and St Peters
Year 8A: St Patrick’s
Year 8B: St Patrick’s
Year 7A: St Peters and Villanova
Year 7B: Marist College Ashgrove
St Peters overall strong performances across all teams in the first four rounds has put the Indooroopilly College in an incredibly strong position to defend the Tennis Aggregate Shield.
Primary Tennis teams have already shown great improvement over the first four weeks of competition. The primary fixtures are excellent preparation for the commencement of full AIC competitive fixtures in Year 7. The following teams have commenced the season undefeated in the primary school fixtures:
6A- Iona and St Peters
6B- St Peters and Villanova
5A- Marist College Ashgrove
5B- Marist College Ashgrove and St Laurence’s
Good luck to all teams for the final three rounds of Basketball, Rugby League and Tennis Competition.
