North Harbour are the early pace setters at the Mens Under 23 Nationals in Tauranga. Early on day two they had a decisive 103-93 victory over Counties Manukau (2-1)to take their record to 3-0. Two of the individual stars of the tournament went head to head, Isaac Fotu (29 points) leading the Harbour assault and getting the better of Reuben Te Rangi (12 points). Shea Ili (23pts) was his usual industrious self but the depth of the Harbour bench was the most telling factor, Matt Lacey, Saman Mohammadiz, Zac Fitzgerald and Marco Alexander all making double figure contributions to a well rounded Harbour performance.
Counties redeemed themselves in the afternoon, a dogged Hibiscus Coast team hanging onto their shirt tails before eventually succumbing 93-82. Harbour also won their second game of day two, overwhelming Waikato 87-53, only Anamata Haku preventing total one way traffic. Harbour and Counties look likely semi final finalists in Mens Pool one although Canterbury could force their way in if they beat Harbour in the final pool game early on day three.
Pool 1 looks to be going the way of Wellington, winners of their first three games. The other semi final spot remains up for grabs, any one of four teams still in the mix.
Harbour took their record to 4-0 in the Womens competition, Deena Franklin dominating proceedings with 28 points against Rotorua. Bayley Ross-Waitai caused Harbour some early problems with a barrage of threes and Gabriella Adams was tireless in the paint but a dominant 27-11 final quarter from Harbour sealed the win – Ella Fotu and Anna Lacey contributed 16 apiece. Waikato and Capital are two more form teams – day three will be interesting but it looks certain all three of these teams will contest the semi finals.
Check out the full results list here.
LACEY LOWDOWN 