On Thursday 16th, the NASSA boys and girls basketball teams headed out to Castle Hill for the NASSA Basketball Gala day. The team consisted of a few veterans, back for another year hoping to take out the number one spot, as well as a few rookie players making their debut representing the College. Despite some of the team having never played together before, their chemistry and teamwork clicked almost instantly and they stormed away with a victory in the first match against Wollondilly with a convincing 40 point victory. They also made light work of Broughton and Macarthur, winning by similar margins. Next up was the semi final against Georges River, which turned into another comfortable win for the Thomas Hassall boys. The final was set to be against St Lukes, a team they have come up against every year in the finals and despite coming incredibly close, have never been able to get the victory over. 2018, however, was looking like a different story. At half time of the final Thomas Hassall had restricted St Lukes to only 4 points. Unfortunately, the fairtytale ending wasn’t to be. Nerves, pressure and emotions got the better of some of the players and some poor decision making and veering from the game plan enabled St Luke’s to come from behind and take the lead with a couple of minutes to go. Well done to the boys and the way they represented the College with their effort, sportsmanship and teamwork.