LACEY LOWDOWN

The New Zealand Under 16 Women won an important pool game on day four of the Australian State Championships in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The Kiwis dominated the closing stages of a tight encounter to record a 68-57 win against South Australia Country.

New Zealand led 50-42 at three-quarter time but three consecutive turnovers at the start of the fourth gave South Australia a leg up to cut the deficit to two points, 52-50.

Following a timeout called by coach Angela Perrott-Hunt New Zealand regained their composure to rattle off a decisive 10-0 run.

Sharne Pupuke-Robati ran the floor for a basket after a Charlisse Leger-Walker defensive block.

Gracie Hasler-Ewin made a short-range basket, as did Pupuke-Robati, with guard Caitlin O’Connell providing a couple of neat assists. Ella Bradley completed the surge with a brace of baskets.

A 62-50 lead with 2:26 to play was too much for South Australia. New Zealand, under the leadership of Leger-Walker, exhibited fine composure down the stretch. The Waikato guard produced a stats stuffing 15 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks.

Perrott-Hunt was pleased with the way her team responded after that crucial time-out in the fourth quarter. “I told the players to stay calm and stick with the game plan. I thought they did that admirably. There are always waves to ride and we did that” she said.

Earlier South Australia Country had shaded the opening quarter 20-21 before New Zealand hit back in the second period to lead at half-time 35-29. Jordyn Maddix made a pair of threes at the start of quarter two to give the Ferns a lead they would not surrender.

The teams traded baskets in the third with the trio of Pupuke-Robati, O’Connell and Leger-Walker each making 5 points in the period to keep New Zealand ahead.

The Kiwis weathered the storm in the fourth to finish third in Pool A with a 4-2 record and a quarter-final appointment with Queensland South on Thursday.

The leading scorer in the tournament Shyla Heal, daughter of legendary Australian player Shane Heal, leads Queensland South. As Perrott-Hunt says “Her match up with Charlisse (Leger-Walker) will be well worth watching.”

Tall Ferns head coach Kennedy Kereama spoke to the team following the game. He complimented the team on their performances to date and wished them well for the upcoming play-off action.

NZ Scorers v SA Country: Charlisse Leger-Walker 15/13/6/4/3, Sharne Pupuke-Robati 18/12, Caitlin O’Connell 10, Jordyn Maddix 6, Ella Bradley 8/5, Gracie Hasler-Ewin 9, Isabelle Cook 2,

As anticipated the New Zealand Under 16 Men had little problem accounting for Northern Territory in their sixth and final pool game at Australian State Championships in Melbourne on Wednesday. New Zealand beat NT 104-37 only giving up double-digit points in the first quarter.

With such a decisive scoreline the New Zealand coaching staff were able to share the court time evenly amongst all ten of the playing members. Nine of the team played between 17 and 23 minutes with captain Shalom Broughton, who has carried a heavy workload in the tournament to date, put on light duties with just 15 minutes of action.

A 30-12 first period in favour of the Kiwis set the tone for the remainder of the game as every quarter was won by a margin of thirteen points or more.

The scoring was led by Harbour swingman Joseph Hylton (16pts) but nine players scored eight points or more.

A one sided rebounding count, 59-23, laid the foundation for the convincing win with more sterner tests ahead when play-off action begins on Thursday.

The Men finished second in Pool play and cross over to play Victoria Country in a quarter-final on Thursday.

A number of the team featured prominently in individual statistical categories for the overall tournament. Tom Cowie is fourth in the three point shooting percentages (48%) having made 12 from 25 attempts. Cowie is also third in the assists category averaging 4.3 per game. Joseph Hylton has made 16 from 20 free throws at 80% and is fourth in that category. Mitchell Dance leads the New Zealand scoring with 113 points at an average of 18-8, 6^th on the competition scoring list. Shalom Broughton is eighth on the rebounding list with 52 at 8.7 per game,

NZ Scorers v Northern Territory; Joseph Hylton 16, Marvin Williams-Dunn 15, Mitchell Dance 13, Kainoa Lepou 13, Logan McIntosh 10, Tom Cowie 8/6 assists, Morgan Trott 8, Ezrah Vaigafa 8, Shalom Broughton 8, Jared Thornton 5

Full stats here.

The New Zealand Under 16 Men remained on course for a top two place in their pool at Australian State Championships in Melbourne on Tuesday by beating Queensland South 73-58.

Both teams had lost just once entering the contest but it was New Zealand that started the strongest taking the opening period 22-14. The Rosmini College trio of Joseph Hylton, Marvin Williams-Dunn and Mitchell Dance contributed 16 of the points.

New Zealand continued to hold the upper hand in the second with Kainoa Lepou and Dance making threes as the lead stretched to 40-25 at half-time.

Despite not scoring in the last three minutes of the third the Kiwis, with Logan McIntosh scoring 5 points in the quarter, led 58-41 at the last break.

When Tom Cowie made a basket to give the Kiwis a 65-47 lead with 5:50 to play it appeared a comfortable win was secured. However Queensland South had other ideas and mounted a 9-0 charge inside two minutes to close within 9 points.

Coach Dave Mackay was forced to use a couple of quick timeouts. His words obviously did the trick as the free scoring Dance responded with 8 straight points, including a pair of threes, to ease the New Zealand nerves.

Sam Broughton corralled 10 boards as the Kiwis edged the rebounding contest 48-42 whist Dance led all scorers with 27 points. His scoring splits of 59% (10/17FG), 50% (4/83PG), 75% (3/4FT), make fine reading.

Next game is Wednesday against Northern Territory.

NZ Scorers; Mitchell Dance 27/8, Shalom Broughton 10/10, Logan McIntosh 7, Joseph Hylton 6/7, Tom Cowie 6/3 assists , Marvin Williams-Dunn 6, Kainoa Lepou 5, Jared Thornton 2, Morgan Trott 2 Ezrah Vaigafa 2

Full stats here.

The New Zealand Under 16 Women played Western Australia Country on day four of the Australian State Championships in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The Kiwis established a 15-6 first quarter lead with Harbour guard Jordyn Maddix nabbing a couple of baskets and Charlisse Leger-Walker scoring six points.

Ella Bradley, Leger-Walker’s team mate at St Peter’s, Cambridge scored 6 points in the middle of the second period as New Zealand stretched their lead to 18 points, 33-15, with four minutes to play in the quarter.

The back end of the half wouldn’t have pleased New Zealand coach Angela Perrott-Hunt as WA mounted a 12-3 run to close within nine points.

Bradley made yet another basket to keep New Zealand ahead 40-29 at the interval. Leger-Walker and Bradley led all scorers at half-time with 11 points and 10 points respectively.

A dominant 26-9 third quarter quashed any prospect of WA further denting the New Zealand advantage. Maddix, Caitlin O’Connell, Sharne-Pupuke-Robati and Leger-Walker all scored multiple baskets in the scoring frenzy.

The final quarter was more sedate as New Zealand closed out a 78-52 win to improve their record to 3-2 ahead of a game against South Australia Country on Wednesday.

Prior to the game Leger-Walker and Pupuke Robati featured strongly in a couple of overall tournament statistical categories.

Charlisse was second in scoring (17.5ppg) and second in assists (5.3apg). Sharne was second in rebounding (11.8rpg) and fourth in points scoring (16.8ppg).

NZ Scorers : Charlisse Leger-Walker 16/8, Sharne Pupuke-Robati 12/8, Jordyn Maddix 11/8 assists, Ella Bradley 10, Gracie Hasler-Ewin 8/9, Briarley Rogers 7, Rashaan Smith 6 Isabelle Cook 4, Caitlin O’Connell 4

Full stats here.

The New Zealand Under 16 Women had a tough two game schedule on day three of the Australian State Championships in Melbourne on Monday. The Kiwis came away with a win in the morning and a loss in the afternoon.

In the morning game 20 points and 15 rebounds from Sharne Pupuke-Robati and a triple double threatening 22 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists from Charlisse Leger-Walker helped propel New Zealand past ACT 77-62.

New Zealand established a 20-13 lead in the first quarter helped by threes from Jordyn Maddix and Briarley Rogers.

The Kiwis gained a double-digit advantage midway through the second period but were unable to fully shake off a determined ACT team.

A Leger-Walker triple ended a four minutes scoring drought in the third, Rosalia Samia and Gracie Hasler-Ewin also made baskets but the lead was still only ten points, 53-43, at three-quarter time.

A decisive 10-3 run at the start of the fourth, that included 6 points from Pupuke-Robati, gave the Kiwis the breathing space they wanted to record a second straight win.

NZ Scorers v ACT: Charlisse Leger-Walker 22/8/8, Sharne Pupuke-Robati 20/15, Jordyn Maddix 9, Briarley Rogers 6, Gracie Hasler-Ewin 6/8, Isabelle Cook 5 Caitlin O’Connell 3 Ella Bradley 4, Rosalia Samia 2

Taking on Victoria Metro is a daunting task at the best of times, after all they have won 14 of the last 16 Australian U16 Women’s National Championships.

Giving them a 23-6 start is not a wise move but unfortunately that was the hole the Kiwis had dug at the end of the first quarter.

New Zealand responded well in the second but still trailed 48-26 at the interval.

Guards Jordyn Maddix and Briarley Rogers both landed triples but a turnover count of 15-3 at the half hurt the Kiwi effort.

NZ continued to keep pace with their more fancied rivals and shaded the third (16-14) as Rosalia Samia, Sharne Pupuke-Robati, Gracie Hasler-Ewin and Maddix all found the basket.

An 8-0 start from the opposition in the final period killed off any hope the Kiwis had of putting a dent in the Victoria lead. The reliable Pupuke Robati broke the run but the Kiwis ran out of gas at the end of a long day losing 80-53.

NZ Scorers v Vic Metro: Sharne Pupuke-Robati 21/ Charlisse Leger-Walker 9/7, Gracie Hasler-Ewin 6, Jordyn Maddix 5 Briarley Rogers 4, Rosalia Samia 4, Isabelle Cook 3, Caitlin O’Connell 1

The New Zealand Under 16 Men improved their record to 3-1 on day three of the Australian State Championships in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Back to a full compliment of ten players New Zealand proved too good for New South Wales Country winning 87-55 with all ten players making scoring contributions.

Mitchell Dance made an early three to help New Zealand to a first quarter 19-11 advantage that was stretched to 45-25 by half-time.

The Kiwis kept NSW scoreless in the final four minutes of the half blowing the game open with a 12-0 run as Kainoa Lepou, Shalom Broughton, Logan McIntosh, Jared Thornton, Marvin Williams-Dunn and Ezrah Vaigafa all made baskets.

The second half was a closer affair although NZ was always in control much to the delight of the travelling supporters.

The Kiwis won the rebounding count 47-34 with NZ captain Broughton collecting 14 including 5 offensive boards.

Ahead of the game Tom Cowie led the competition stats for three points made (11), three points percentage (73%) and assists made (3.7). Unfortunately the James Hargest student was 0/2 three point shooting in this game although he did dish a game high 6 assists.

Next game is Tuesday against Queensland South who are currently 3-0.

NZ Scorers v NSW Country; Joseph Hylton 15 Dance 13/7, Tom Cowie11/6 assists, Shalom Broughton 10/14, Ezrah Vaigafa 9, Marvin Williams-Dunn 7, Logan McIntosh 6, Jared Thornton 6, Kainoa Lepou 6, Morgan Trott 4

The New Zealand Under 16 Men’s team didn’t dwell on the loss to Victoria Metro for too long on day two at the Australian State Championships in Melbourne.

The disappointment of giving up a 19 points half-time advantage against Vic in the opening game on day one was buried in emphatic style.

The Kiwis took their frustrations out on Western Australia Country handing out a 131-45 hiding to the boys from the far West, a score more fitting the MCG than the Kilsyth Sports Centre.

With a second game later in the day against South Australia Country coach Dave Mackay was able to share the workload amongst his young charges, all nine players used logging between 18 and 27 minutes.

North Harbour guard Mitchell Dance threatened a triple double with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists but all the team made useful contributions to the scoring effort.

NZ Scorers v WA Country; Dance 31/10, Joseph Hylton 23/7, Logan McIntosh 17, Ezrah Vaigafa 16/9 assists, Jared Thornton 12, Marvin Williams-Dunn 10, Tom Cowie 8, Morgan Trott 8, Shalom Broughton 6, Kainoa Lepou DNP

Full stats here.

New Zealand carried the momentum gained from the morning win into the evening encounter with South Australia Country moving out to a 28-15 first quarter lead, Ezrah Vaigafa and Tom Cowie landing threes to help the cause.

Cowie went on to have an exceptional scoring game putting on a three point shooting exhibition. The Southland guard converted eight from ten from beyond the arc and finished with a game high 30 points in a display labeled by NZ Coach Dave Mackay as, “Super impressive.”

South Australia edged the second quarter by a point but NZ still held sway 47-35 at the break. Cowie scored 10 points in the third quarter as the Kiwis extended the advantage to 67-49.

Unlike yesterday New Zealand made no mistake in the final quarter winning 84-65 with Cowie finishing the game in emphatic style by knocking down a trio of triples on the last three possessions of the game. The win completes a successful day and the team moves their record to 2-1.

Cowie was well supported on the scoring front by Mitchell Dance, Shalom Broughton and Marvin Williams-Dunn.

“It was a tough day with two games. We also faced some adversity with only eight players in the second game. The team is finding different ways to win which is good.

“We have learnt a lot of lessons from the tough loss on day one and I feel confident going into the remaining pool games,” said Mackay.

NZ Scorers v SA Country; Cowie 30/7/4 Dance 19, Shalom Broughton 10/11, Marvin Williams-Dunn 9, Morgan Trott 6, Ezrah Vaigafa 6, Jared Thornton 4/8, Kainoa Lepou DNP Joseph Hylton DNP

Full stats here.

Double double performances from Charlisse Leger-Walker and Sharne Pupuke-Robati propelled New Zealand Under 16 Women to an outstanding 63-53 victory against NSW Metro on day two of the Australian State Championships in Melbourne on Sunday.

In a tight opening New Zealand led 33-30 at half-time. Guards Jordyn Maddix, Rosalia Samia and Caitlin O’Connell all landed three point efforts to compliment the 12 points registered by Charlisse Leger-Walker in the half.

The two teams went toe to toe in the third period. Pupuke-Robati made a couple of baskets and Maddix and Leger-Walker both made threes as the Kiwis maintained the advantage to lead 46-41 with ten minutes to play.

Defences dominated the first five minutes of the final period, just six points scored in that time – 4 by NSW and a solitary basket from Leger-Walker for the Kiwis.

The hyphenated pair of Leger-Walker and Pupuke-Robati extended the NZ advantage to seven, 54-47 with 3:45 to play the NSW coach calling a time out.

The same pair cancelled out a pair of NSW baskets then Gracie Hasler-Ewin pushed the advantage out to nine (60-51) with 90 seconds to play and NSW called their final timeout.

That came to nothing as Leger-Walker capped an outstanding performance by scoring the last three points of the game to lead New Zealand to a 63-53 win. The Waikato guard finished with a mighty impressive stat line of 26 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and a block.

“We were a different team today,” enthused NZ Coach Angela Perrott-Hunt after the game.

“We learnt quickly from yesterday’s game. There was an urgency and desperation about our performance but we need to play like that every game.

“Charlisse was very good, she needed to make an adjustment after fouling out yesterday and she did just that. Now we have to prepare for two games tomorrow,” she added.

On Monday New Zealand face ACT in the morning and Vic Metro in the evening.

NZ Scorers: Leger-Walker 26/14, Pupuke-Robati 16/10, Maddix 6, Samia 4, Hasler-Ewin 4/6, O’Connell 3 Ella Bradley 2, Isabelle Cook 2

Full stats here.

The Under 16 New Zealand Women went down 79-65 against Queensland North on the opening day of the Australian U16 State Championships in Melbourne on Saturday.

New Zealand began poorly allowing Queensland North to establish a 30-15 opening quarter lead. Exchanges were fairly even after that.

In the second quarter Hawkes Bay’s Rosalia Samia made a three and Sharne Pupuki-Robati made five points but the Kiwis trailed 52-36 at half-time.

Queensland kept the margin around the twenty points mark for most of the second half despite double digit scoring efforts from Samia, guard Caitlin O’Conell, Charlisse Leger-Walker and Pupuke-Robati. The Auckland forward also gathered 15 rebounds.

Experienced guard Leger-Walker fouled out in just 19 minutes, which seriously hampered the New Zealand cause.

New Zealand next face powerful New South Wales Metro on Sunday at 1.30pm local time.

NZ Scorers: Leger-Walker 13, O’Connell 11, Pupuke-Robati 10pts/15rebs, Samia 10, Ella Bradley 6, Gracie Hasler-Ewin 5, Rashaan Smith 3, Jordyn Maddix 3, Briarley Rogers 2

View full stats here.