LACEY LOWDOWN

New Zealand Home Loans Canterbury Wildcats went down 67-66 in overtime against the Waitakere Lady Rangers in the opening game of the WBC tournament in Porirua leaving them a must win game against Auckland Counties Manukau Lady Hawks in the late game on Thursday. The Wildcats trailed 51-47 at three quarter time but fought back to level proceedings 61-61 at the end of normal time. Wuanyei Ah-Hing made a couple of key baskets in the extra five minutes to put the Rangers 4 points ahead. A Shea Crotty triple with 1:03 remaining gave the Wildcats hope and when Maia Wilson missed a pair of free throws for the Rangers Hayley Gray had the final shot to win the game. Unfortunately for the Wildcats the game’s leading scorer couldn’t connect. Gray finished with 18pts well supported by Crotty (16pts) and Tessa Boagni (15pts/10rebs). Te Oramae Solomon (15pts/11 rebs) and Natasha Hall (13pts/11rebs) were major contributors to the Waitakere success. The Waikato Wizards faced a similar scenario after being defeated 75-65 by North Harbour Breeze in Section B, needing to beat Oceana Gold Rush Otago to stay alive in the Championship. The Breeze established a 40-37 half time advantage that extended to 60-50 with 10 minutes remaining. Wizards guard Krystal Leger-Walker (17pts) scored three of her five triples in the final period but Harbour paced by youngster Tera Reed (18pts) held firm to maintain a double digit lead and secure a vital win. Becks van Kuyk (14pts) and Anna Lacey (13pts) provided inside, outside threats for the Breeze, Miriam Stevens (11pts) and Jess Tuki (13pts) were tireless for Waikato. The Breeze progressed to the Championship semi-final by defeating Oceana Gold Rush Otago 72-59 in their second game. Brooke Blair hit 8 from 11 from the field on her way to 18 points with forwards Karlene Kingi (14pts) and Deena Franklin (10pts/8rbs) also producing strong efforts. Suzie Bates (17pts) and Soraya Umaga-Jensen (20pts) led the Otago effort. Harbour led 72-59 entering the final quarter and although Otago reduced the deficit to 6 points inside the last five minutes Harbour held their nerve to finish top of Section B. Kalani Purcell had a massive double double of 17 points and 17 rebounds as Auckland Counties Manukau Lady Hawks accounted for Waitakere Lady Rangers 73-62. Stevee Theyers knocked down 26 points for the Rangers who were 20 points adrift midway through the final period before mounting a late rally. Millie Nathan (14pts) was the only other Rangers player in double figures. Kalani Purcell dropped 14 first half points against NZ Home Loans Canterbury Wildcats to lift the ACM Lady Hawks to what appeared to be a comfortable 43-28 advantage. The Wildcats made a strong run in the third stanza reducing the Hawks lead to just 10 points, 57-47, Hannah Turton scoring the last 5 points of the period. Canterbury opened the final quarter with a stunning 11-2 run to trail by a single point with 4:50 to play. Natalie Taylor and Charmian Mellars eased the Hawks nerves with a couple of baskets but their lead was still only 5 points inside the last three minutes. Mellars fouled out with 1:52 remaining but the Wildcats were unable to take advantage eventually going down 70-60. Kalani and Hailey Purcell, Jordan Hunter and Natalie Taylor all contributed double figure points for the Hawks, Hayley Gray (16pts) and Tessa Boagni (15pts) led the strong Canterbury fight back. Thirty combined first half points from the Waikato Wizards duo of Krystal Leger-Walker and Jess Tuki sealed Waikato Wizards semi-final spot as they opened up a 36-21 advantage over Oceana Gold Rush Otago. Waikato went on to win every quarter, prevailing 74-50 and setting up a mouth-watering semifinal against Auckland Counties Manukau Lady Hawks. Tuki finished on 19 points, Leger-Walker 17 points and Aleisha Ruske (14pts) the best for Otago. The other semi-final will be an Auckland local derby, North Harbour Breeze against Waitakere Lady Rangers. In the Plate competition Capital Flyers produced a couple of strong performances comfortably beating the Junior Tall Ferns 71-49 and Rotorua Vols 79-33.