LACEY LOWDOWN

A double double from Jillian Harmon not enough for Tall Ferns

The Tall Ferns lost their decisive Olympic Qualifying tie against Cuba in agonising and slightly controversial fashion overnight in Nantes going down 64-62. The Ferns exit the tournament having also lost their other pool game 70-52 to France the night before.

The scores were tied 62 apiece when a rebounding foul was called on Micaela Cocks sending Cuban captain Cepeda to the foul line to make the winning free throws with just 1.2 seconds left on the clock.

New Zealand coach Kennedy Kereama felt it was a harsh way to lose, “It’s not a nice way to lose a game on a foul shooting situation when both teams are in the bonus. For us it’s a tough way to go. At the end of the day there had to be a winner and a loser and unfortunately we were on the wrong end of the result.”

Forward Jillian Harmon gave a herculean performance recording 25 points (9/17FG) and 14 rebounds. She scored 21 points in the second half as the Tall Ferns fought back from a 48-39 three-quarter time deficit.

Kalani Purcell and Micaela Cocks scored 9 points each, Toni Edmondson had 8 but collectively the three only shot 7 from 24 on the night.

Just 18 hours after going down to France Chevannah Paalvast opened the Tall Ferns scoring but a sluggish first quarter ended with Cuba ahead 14-10.

New Zealand began the second quarter equally slowly prompting coach Kereama to call an early timeout with his team trailing 18-10. Penina Davidson and Harmon responded with baskets but Cuba moved ahead 26-16 at the mid point of the period. Purcell and Davidson made a couple of valuable baskets but the Tall Ferns headed to the locker room 32-24 behind reflecting on a 32% (10/31) shooting effort and ice cold 0 from 9 three point shooting.

The Tall Ferns playing with much more urgency had a 5-0 run courtesy of Cocks and a Purcell triple. When Harmon made an and 1 play the Cuban lead was cut to just three points, 37-34. The momentum then swung to Cuba who reeled off a 6-0 run of their own and it took a buzzer beating three from Edmondson to keep the Kiwis in the hunt at the final break, 48-39 down.

Points from Purcell and Cocks reduced the lead to 48-43 but a harsh unsportsman like foul called on Davidson handed Cuba their first points of the quarter.

Harmon was carrying the offensive load for the Kiwis with 7 consecutive points and Purcell helped reduce the lead to 58-53 with less than 4 minutes to play.

Harmon made another four points from the foul line but the Kiwis still trailed 62-59 inside the last 30 seconds only for Micaela Cocks to knock down a three with thirteen seconds to play.

The foul call and winning Cuban free throws ensued, the Tall Ferns without time to get off a shot in the 1.2 seconds that followed.

Kereama lamented his team’s slow start to the game.

“It is totally disappointing not to come away with a win. It’s pretty obvious to those that watched the game we were severely flat to start the game, we lacked energy. We invested a lot of emotional energy in the game the night before (against France) and had a very short turn around and recovery. We did everything we could to be ready to play but unfortunately it took us some time to get going. Once we managed to get going I feel like we ran out of time.”

Jillian Harmon was equally disappointed, “I agree with coach I thought we were pretty flat at the start as I think we had about 15 hours to turn around from last night’s game. We did really well to stay in it but we just ran out of time.”

Final Score:

Cuba 64 – Gelis 16, Casanova 11, Cepada 11

Tall Ferns 62 – Harmon 25pts/14rebs, Purcell 9pts/8rebs, Cocks 9pts/6assists, Davidson 8, Edmondson 7pts/6rebs/6assists, Paalvast 2, Beck 2Agony for Tall

Toni Edmondson top scored against France

The Tall Ferns began its 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament campaign with a 70-52 loss against France in Nantes on Tuesday and now face a must win game against Cuba on Wednesday. (1.00am Thursday NZ time).

The Ferns put together a terrific opening half leading 29-27 against the world number four ranked French. Only down 52-46 at the three-quarter time mark, the Tall Ferns eventually ran out of steam losing the final stanza 18-6 in front of a raucous home crowd.

Penina Davidson made a statement on behalf of the Tall Ferns – blocking the first French scoring effort.

She could do nothing about a couple of shots that followed but Micaela Cocks tied the scores at five apiece with a triple and a brace of free throws.

Kalani Purcell scored off an in bounds play to edge the Kiwis ahead 9-8 and when Penina Davidson and Jillian Harmon made back to back baskets to give their team a 13-10 lead France called a timeout.

The Tall Ferns ended an impressive opening quarter with Josie Stockill nailing a pair of free throws to lead 17-16. The commentary team noted, “New Zealand looked impressive.”

France came out with more intent at the start of the second with big centre Isabelle Yacoubou making baskets and garnering offensive rebounds. Edmondson countered with a baseline triple to keep the Kiwis in touch, as did Chevannah Paalvast with a neat basket.

The defensive efforts of the Tall Ferns, both individually and collectively, was impressive and at the other end Stella Beck landed a long three to give the team in black a 29-27 half-time lead.

Davidson with a nice finger roll inside play opened the second half Tall Ferns scoring and Edmondson moved into double figures with a triple and pair of free throws as the scores were tied 40 points each at the mid point of the third.

Back to back baskets from France gave them the biggest lead since the opening moments of the game and coach Kennedy Kereama called a timeout to stall home team momentum.

Paalvast scored a nice back door basket off a Cocks pass and although trailing 52-46 at three-quarter time the Tall Ferns were well in the contest.

Yacoubou (19pts/11rebs) was proving the difference between the teams, her inside presence causing the Tall Ferns major problems and her back to back baskets extended the home advantage to double figures, 56-46.
From there the Tall Ferns offensive effort ground almost to a halt and, it was six minutes into the period before Stockill scored the Kiwi’s first points of the period as a brave challenge fell away, the Ferns going down 70-52.

Tall Ferns coach Kereama congratulated France on an excellent second half but felt his team went away from what was working in the first half.

“France were a lot bigger than us, they pounded it inside, we expected it, we prepared for it but we didn’t execute for 15 minutes of that game which was disappointing. Our focus now turns to Cuba who we believe, if we play as well as we did for 25 minutes and some of this game, we give ourselves a chance.

“We know if we play 40 minutes of basketball we give ourselves a chance against anybody. We know if we carry out our game plan and execute we can compete.”

Toni Edmondson felt French centre Yacoubou was the difference, “She was unstoppable, her offensive rebounding and her presence in there tonight was probably what decided the match.”

“I was really proud of our group for probably two thirds of that game. It was disappointing that we lapsed for about the last couple of minutes of the third quarter and they really stepped on us,” she said.

The Tall Ferns now have a short turn around having to face Cuba in a must win game just 18 hours later.

Final Score:

France 70

Tall Ferns 52 – Edmondson 10pts/6rebs, Paalvast 7, Cocks 6, Purcell 6, Stockill 6, Davidson 6pts/3 blocks, Beck 5, Harmon 4, Rooney 2

13-19 June – Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Nantes, France

Tuesday June 14, v France. 8.30pm local time (6.30am Wednesday NZ time)

Wednesday June 15 v Cuba. 3.00pm local time (1.00am Thursday NZ time)

The Tall Ferns have assembled alongside 12 other nations at the women’s qualifying tournament in Nantes, France: Spain, France, Belarus, Turkey (Europe); Cuba, Argentina, Venezuela (America’s); Cameroon, Nigeria (Africa), China, South Korea (Asia); and New Zealand (Oceania). Only the top five will earn a place in Rio

Micaela Cocks led the Tall Ferns scoring

In the words of New Zealand coach Kennedy Kereama, “The beast was awoken”, as Spain avenged yesterday’s defeat at the hands of the Tall Ferns to win 80-60 in Oviedo on Thursday.

The Tall Ferns started well landing five triples in the opening quarter courtesy of Micaela Cocks (twice), Penina Davidson, Jordan Hunter and Stella Beck to trail by just three points at quarter time, 20-17.

Smarting from their 54-52 defeat at the hands of the Tal Ferns the previous day, world number three ranked Spain made a telling run in the second period to lead 45-29 at half-time.

The third quarter was an even affair, a late Hunter triple keeping the Kiwis in touch, down 66-49 at the last break.

Any thought of another upset were snuffed out in the final period as the Ferns were kept to just 11 points, Spain easing to a twenty points win although Kereama felt the scoreline didn’t do justice to his team’s effort.

“Tonight’s margin was not a true reflection of how close the game was at different stages. I think Spain shot the ball tremendously, making tough contested shots; I don’t know if they will shoot that well again.

“I thought the game was pretty similar to yesterday in terms of our scores, they just made more trips to the foul line and shot a better percentage than we did.

“I am confident that we are performing well and in tune for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the excitement is building for the most important part of our campaign.”

Micaela Cocks led the Kiwi scoring with 18 points and there were good contributions off the bench from Beck and Hunter but the usually reliable Toni Edmondson only managed two points although the Cantabrian did dish a game high 6 assists.

Davidson and Jillian Harmon, the only other Kiwi to score double figures, helped ensure the rebounding count was even and there was good production off the bench from Beck and Hunter as the Tall Ferns gave another good account of themselves in there final game ahead of the Olympic Qualifying tournament next week.

Final Score;

Spain 80

Tall Ferns 60 – Cocks 18, Harmon 10pts/5rebs, Davidson 7/7rebs, Paalvast 6, Hunter 6, Beck 5, Purcell 4, Edmondson 2 + 6 assists, Wallbutton 2

14pts and 10rebs from Jillian Harmon helped Tall Ferns overcome Spain 

The Tall Ferns tore up the form book on Wednesday in Gijon beating Spain, the number three ranked team in the world, 54-52.

This was a significant result for the Kiwis just days out from the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in France next week. It was the type of game, a defensive arm wrestle, that the Ferns need to lock into if they are to enjoy success next week and beyond.

Not blessed with outstanding scorers low scoring contests, keeping teams to 60 points or below is the route to success for this group, a team that possesses a number of lock-down defenders.

France on their home court in Nantes next week will be tough, maybe too tough, but Cuba the next day is now looking more intriguing. The fixture has taken on a completely different picture with not only the success against Spain but also the fact that Cuba were hammered 83-40 by the Spaniards three days ago.

Spain scored the first 5 points of the game but then the Tall Ferns, courtesy of scores from Jillian Harmon, Micaela Cocks, Penina Davidson and Toni Edmondson reeled off 10 straight points to lead 15-9 at quarter time.

Threes from Cocks and Chevannah Paalvast in the second period helped keep the Ferns in the ascendancy at half time leading 27-22.

The forward trio of Davidson, Paalvast and Harmon accumulated 25 rebounds to give the Kiwis parity on the boards and with Paalvast, promoted to the starting five, nailing 6 points in the third period the lead was extended to 43-32 at three-quarter time.

As expected Spain came surging back in the final quarter but a brace of triples from Cocks and Edmondson kept the Ferns in front and although Edmondson fouled out the Tall Ferns held on to take a notable scalp ahead of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in France next week.

The two teams meet again tomorrow, the last game for each team ahead of the OQT.

Naturally Tall Ferns head coach Kennedy Kereama was very satisfied with the performance of his team.

“I am really proud of our efforts today to beat third ranked Spain. It was a true defensive job and all players were locked in and focused for fourty minutes.

“ These moments are pretty special but it only lasts a short time because we have to back up and play them again tomorrow. We need to show that this was no fluke and we can also improve on this game. We need to grind teams down with our defence and keep teams to low scores if we want to compete with the best.

“All the players were great today and its hard to single anyone out, it was a true team effort.”

Final Score;

Spain 52

Tall Ferns 54 – Harmon 14pts/10rebs, Cocks 12, Davidson 9/8, Paalvast 9/8, Edmondson 7, Beck 1, Rooney 1, Purcell 1

Charlotte Whittaker showed composure beyond her years

The second of two games featuring New Zealand Select and China B was played at AUT Sports Centre on Monday night. Once again the Chinese proved too strong for the Select team running out comfortable winners 84-51.

New Zealand added 17 year old Junior Tall Fern Tiarna Clarke to the team that played the first game but used the same starting five of Janet Main, Brooke Blair and the Canterbury Wildcats trio of Ashley Gayle, Shea Crotty and Charlotte Whittaker.

15 year old Whittaker scored the first couple of baskets for NZ Select but they quickly found themselves 15-4 down, coach Jody Cameron calling a timeout after 4 minutes.

Things didn’t improve greatly as the Chinese displayed excellent shooting efficiency converting 12 from 15 shots in the first quarter to lead 29-10.

Gayle made four points at the outset of the second period and Mary Goulding helped the defensive intensity of the Kiwis. Clarke knocked down a jump shot immediately after her introduction but the Kiwis were finding points hard to come by and trailed 50-22 at half-time, Whittaker the best of the Kiwis with 6 points.

In the half China had been damaging from beyond the three point arc connecting with 4 from 5 attempts and shooting an impressive 66% overall.

An attempted dunk from Ashley Gail failed to find the net whilst at the other end China continued to hit from long range extending its lead to 62-26 at the mid point of the third stanza.

Clarke showed a glimpse of her potential with a shimmy to open the lane for a banked floater but getting good looks at the basket remained an issue for the home team trailing 73-36 at three-quarter time.

Shea Crotty sunk three from four three point attempts

Shea Crotty drew applause from the crowd with a pair of long triples and a Fran Edmondson put back gave the Select team some scoring momentum. Edmondson then followed up her own block for a break away layup and Crotty nailed her third three as the Kiwis finished a tough night on a positive note by winning the final period 15-11.

NZ Select coach Jody Cameron was pleased with the effort of her team.

“Our experienced guards really set the tone by playing with great heart and competing on every play. Also our youngsters, we had four teenagers in the team, showed glimpses of their potential.

“I like the concept of the Select team as it gives a wider group of players the experience of playing international basketball and I hope this can be repeated in the future.

“The result has to be put into perspective. We had a group of amateur players playing with two practices before the first game and China had a professional team that had been together for three months. Despite that our team played with a lot of spirit in both games.”

Final Score:

China 84

NZ Select 51 – Gayle 10pts/4rebs/4 steals, Crotty 9, Edmondson 8, Whittaker 8pts/4rebs, Clarke 6, Jodi Hikuroa-Jeffrey 4, Goulding 3pts/6rebs, Main 2pts/4rebs, Terai Sadler 1pt/5rebs