The Womens Under 23 Final to be played later today will be between North Harbour and Waikato. The two teams progressed to the final in differing fashion, the Harbour team cruising past Canterbury, the Waikato team winning a really tight game against Capital.
Waikato arrived at the ASB stadium only moments before tip off and with minimal warm up were quickly behind on the scoreboard 7-0. They did rally quickly and were only a point behind, 16-15 at quarter time. The second quarter was low scoring affair but three triples from Tahlia Te Kiri, on her way to 16 points, eased Waikato ahead 29-25 at half time.
Points were hard to come by for both teams although Capital’s Milomilo Nanai and Jacinta Beckley kept the score board ticking for their team only trailing by a point, 42-41 with ten minutes remaining. Scores remained close during the final period and with just two minutes remaining Capital’s Jordyn Cederwall tied the game 53-53. Both teams had multiple opportunities to clinch the tie but it was Waikato’s Chevahn Morris who came up with the game winner – 55-53 to Waikato.
North Harbour started strongly against Canterbury building a 20-10 quarter time advantage, extended to 34-20 by the main break, Millie Nathan demonstrating good touch around the basket with 10 second quarter points. Tessa Boagni and Laken Wairau (10pts each) kept Canterbury afloat but they trailed 63-38 by threequarter time and despite a late flurry of points were comprehensively beaten 75-47. Harbour had a number of stand outs, Deena Franklin, Ella Fotu, and Morgan Roberts all contributing double digit scores but it was Shinae Blair (12pts/11 rebounds) who paced the Harbour effort.
So, Harbour meet Waikato at 4pm followed immediately by Harbour v Counties in the Mens Final.
LACEY LOWDOWN 