The 2015 Women’s Basketball Championship begins on Friday.
Last year the Purcell family dominated the Auckland Counties Manukau Lady Hawks team. This year it is likely that only Hailey Purcell will return. She, alongside Jordan Hunter and Gabriella Adams, who has transferred from Rotorua, will provide the backbone of the team.
The Championship takes on a slightly different format this year as some games will be played outside the three tournament weekends, this an attempt to promote the women’s games in local associations.
As a result one game has already been played. The Waikato Wizards proved too strong for Auckland Counties Manukau Lady Hawks winning 65-53, the game played in Hamilton last Saturday evening.
Defending champions Harbour Breeze have been boosted by the return of a couple of Harbour ‘old girls’ Amanda Buck and Millie Nathan. New Breeze coach Justine Reed likes what they bring to the group. “The pair give us a whole lot of experience and set a fine example for the younger girls coming through”. Reed will also utilise some of her charges from Westlake Girls High School where she is head coach. “They will provide us with a bit of speed and quickness to compliment the experienced players,” said Reed.
Waikato Wizards have been the bridesmaids for the last two years finishing runners-up in 2013 and 2014. Wizards assistant coach Leanne Walker is rather coy about their chances this year.
“The goal this year is just to be competitive as we have a big contingent of players overseas. We just want to get through the first couple of tournaments so we can get ourselves a spot (in the top six) so we can compete for the title”.
As for suiting up again this season? “I’d rather not” she quipped, but then added “I will probably have to put my boots back on as we will be short of players for our Sunday games as we have a big contingent of Mormon’s in the team”. Daughters Krystal and Charlisse will be suiting up for the Wizards, it could be fun to see al three family members out on court together.
Tall Ferns assistant coach Aik Ho is also down playing his teams chances. The Waitakere Lady Rangers have lost the likes of Emma Bergin and Milika Nathan and will use the opportunity to blood some youngsters “We are pretty young this year, I’m giving the young kids who are committed a chance.” Which youngsters does Ho expect to make an impact this season? “Jess Nicholson and Wuanyei Ah-Hing are returning and we’ve picked up Darci Finnigan from St Kentigern College but they are all young”.
“We would like to sneak in the top six but we are going to have to play some pretty good ball to do so,” added Ho.
LACEY LOWDOWN 