37 points from Zara Jillings including 6 threes
The Waikato sisters Charlisse and Krystal Leger-Walker debuted for opposing teams in the third round of the Mexicali Fresh Summer Jam. Older sister Krystal sunk an early three for the Suns but it was the Storm that made the strongest start leading 31-16 at quarter time thanks to 10 points from Milomilo Nanai.
Charlisse gave a satisfactory smile as she converted a sideline triple over her sister’s outstretched arm and with Jordan Hunter complimenting Charlisse and Nanai the lead extended to 51-34 at half-time.
Player-coach Jody Cameron put the heat on the Suns at the break and it did provoke a response as Tiarna Clarke, Kelcy Ballantyne and Breeze Leonard penetrated the Storm defence in the third quarter.
However the Suns struggled to contain their opposition offence and could do little to threaten the Storm’s advantage eventually going down 80-66.
Final score;
Suns 69 – Ballantyne 12, Clarke 10, K Leger-Walker 9, Leonard 8,
Storm 80 – Hunter 24, Nanai 20, C Leger-Walker 18
In the other game of the third round the performances of a player returning from US college basketball and the other with the dream of securing a college scholarship caught the eye.
Westlake student Zara Jillings one day hopes to be heading to a university in the USA and her 37 points performance for team Sky demonstrated that is likely to become a reality in the next year or two.
Breana Jones has recently returned to New Zealand after a year at the University of Hawaii and she was almost as prominent as team Sky led by 19 points at quarter time and a whopping 58-28 at half time.
Sparks players Hailey Purcell, Rebecca Hughes and Megan Craig did their best to stem the flow of points but a combined 12 three point baskets from the ‘J Attack’ of Jillings, Jones and Jess Nicholson meant the result was never in doubt.
Final score;
Sparks 68 – Purcell 16, Hughes 15, Craig 13,
Sky 103 – Jillings 37, Jones 21, Nicholson 12, Ayla Hoeta 12
LACEY LOWDOWN 