LACEY LOWDOWN

After 123 games over four days the Under 17 National Championships reached their climax at North Shore Events Centre on Saturday afternoon.

The Girls Final featured North Harbour and Porirua.

Lyric Dixon opened the Porirua scoring, Katie Dikhaby replying for Harbour. Both teams made a nervous start, shots that would normally drop were rimming out, Harbour calling a time out trailing 9-3 late in the period.

Harbour’s problems were compounded as Mereana Hodges came up with a couple of impressive blocks. Porirua ahead 11-9 at the first break.

Scoring remained sluggish in the second quarter, the spoils shared 23-23 at half-time. Porirua centre Salmon Shalae led all scoring with 12 points plus a colossal 12 rebounds. Zara Jillings and Tiarna Clarke had 6 points each for the hosts.

Harbour coach Jody Cameron called a timeout at mid point of the third quarter her charges trailing 33-30. A Kristina Phouphayly triple extended the Porirua lead and a Grace Vaofusi fade away jumper took the score to 40-32 before Clarke and Dikhaby replied for Harbour. 44-38 to Porirua at threequarter time, the title still up for grabs.

Clarke began the final quarter with an intercept lay-up plus the bonus shot and Jillings connecting with a scything drive – timeout Porirua just 44-43 ahead and in need of a timeout.

The lead changed hands a couple of times 53-51 to Porirua with 3:30 remaining.

Clarke tied the scores on the next play, Porirua’s influential Salmon fouling out shortly after.

Dikhaby made a free throw to put Harbour ahead, Penese then scored to restore Porirua’s one point advantage 55-54.

1:20 remaining and Jillings cooly sank three free throws after being fouled attempting a three to put Harbout 57-55 ahead.

46 seconds remaining and Clarke was fouled on the drive, sank both freebies 59-55.

Porirua turned the ball over on the next play, Clarke makes one freebie, 60-55.

Dixon landed a long rang three, Porirua trail 60-58 with 9 seconds remaining but Harbour had possession.

Jillings fouled and stretches the lead with resulting free throws – 62-58 with 3.3 seconds on the clock.

Porirua get a shot off but it misses.

Final score: Harbour 62 – Clarke 27/10rebs, Jillings 20/9/4 steals, Diakhaby 6/12

Porirua 58 – Salmon 21/18, Penese 14/7/7assists Waikato beat Waitakere West 57-48 in the 3rd/4th play-off game.