Monthly Archives: October 2016

Oct 11 2016
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Ferns

Harmon, Cocks, Palvaast, Hunter, Edmondson and Bygate all back in action overseas

 

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Jordan Hunter debuted in the Australian WNBL 

The 2016-17 Australian WNBL season began at the weekend with five Tall Ferns in action whilst in Europe Jillian Harmon is currently the lone Kiwi flag bearer.

In the WNBL guard Jordan Hunter is the only New Zealand newcomer to the competition and her debut for Adelaide Lightning was almost one to remember. The Lightning overcame a three point three-quarter time deficit to force the tie into overtime but were eventually outscored 16-2 in the extra period going down 77-63 to Bendigo Spirit on Saturday night.

Hunter logged 24 minutes and snared a game high 3 steals in her typical high-energy fashion. Alas her shooting touch deserted her on the night failing to connect with any of her five attempts.

Last season Jess Bygate was in Adelaide colours but this season she has signed with Melbourne Boomers. The former Nelson Flyers forward will be heartened by Sundays result – her Boomers were too strong for Adelaide winning 75-69 although Bygate only contributed a solitary free throw and a steal.

Hunter, in her second game of the weekend, scored a couple of points and claimed 3 rebounds for Adelaide.

Incidentally Tall Ferns assistant coach and Adelaide head coach Chris Lucas missed the double header having a prior commitment to attend the overseas wedding of his son.

The big game of the round was a match up between last season’s Grand Final protagonists Perth Lynx and Townsville Fire in Townsville.

Townsville, winners of the WNBL for the past two seasons showed that they are still the team to beat. After an even opening quarter they dominated the middle proceedings forging a 68-48 three-quarter time lead before closing out an 84-62 win.

Returning Fire combo guard Micaela Cocks, last season’s Grand Final MVP, scored 13 points for the reigning champions – Chevannah Paalvast chipped in with 2 points and 3 rebounds.

Toni Edmondson scored 7 points and added 4 rebounds and a steal for Perth. It wasn’t all bad news for Perth as they had opened their campaign with a 93-90 victory at Sydney University Flames on Friday night. In that one the Cantabrian swingman had 4pts/4rebs/5assists/1steal.

Jillian Harmon has returned to Le Mura Lucca in the Italian League for a second season. Last week she continued where she had left off at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in France – who could forget her herculean performance back in June when she recorded 25 points (9/17FG) and 14 rebounds as the Tall Ferns went down to Cuba.

In the opening game of the season Lucca proved too strong for Vigarano winning 65-48 with the Tall Fern forward scoring a game high 19 points and adding a pair of steals and 3 rebounds.

Oct 10 2016
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Blacks

Fotu shines in mixed bag for Tall Blacks abroad

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Over in Europe there are just two players flying the flag for New Zealand and both are playing in Spain. Isaac Fotu is back for a second season at Zaragoza and Mike Karena is suiting up for Sammic ISB in the Spanish second tier competition.

Fotu and Zaragoza had a double header over the weekend. On Sunday, despite a team high 22 points (8/12FG) and 7 rebounds from the Tall Blacks forward Zaragoza suffered a second consecutive home defeat going down 75-69 to Bilbao.

48 hours earlier Fotu had 16 points and 8 rebounds in Zaragoza’s 80-71 victory at Unicaja. He slotted home all 7 of his free throws to go along with 3 from 7 from the field.

Zaragoza are now 1-2 this season

Karena helped his club Sammic to a 2-0 start to the season as they beat Tarragona 63-60 in overtime. Karena secured 6 rebounds to go with 6 points in the W.

In Australia it was partially a round of inactivity for the Kiwi’s in the opening round of the NBL season.

Reuben Te Rangi missed Brisbane Bullets outstanding start to the season due to injury. The Bullets, under former Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis, are 2-0 and top of the table after toppling defending champs Perth Wildcats at home on Thursday and Sydney Kings on Saturday.

Dion Prewster was also confined to bench warming duties by the Kings.

I need to give a shout out to Rosmini College old boy Tohi Smith-Milner. In his second season as a Development Player at Melbourne United Smith-Milne logged 5 minutes on Sunday as Melbourne stuttered to a second successive defeat going down 89-79 at home against Adelaide. The power forward notched a solitary rebound in that time but just getting on court in such a star-studded lineup is a notable achievement.

One man who did see plenty of action was Jarrod Kenny. The Perth Wildcats guard is back to full fitness after a shoulder injury kept him out of the Tall Blacks campaign earlier in the year. Kenny had 5 points and 3 assists in the loss in Brisbane on Thursday and a couple of points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists as Perth escaped from the clutches of a second defeat with an overtime victory against Cairns Taipans 48 hours later in Perth.

Over 12,000 fans packed Perth Arena to see the Wildcats tie the game with 0.8 seconds remaining before dominating the extra period to win 84-74.

Oct 08 2016
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ANBL, NZ Breakers

Thoughts from Henare and Demopolous after Breakers beat Melbourne

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From Murray McKinnon

The Breakers shrugged off the pre-season blues to capture an early season scalp in beating Melbourne United 76-71.

The Breakers led 17-16 at the end of the first quarter and then went on a three point shooting spree courtesy of Corey Webster, Tom Abercrombie and newcomers Robert Loe and Ben Woodside. The ‘Chief’ made a couple of mid range jumpers to give the local team a 40-31 advantage going into the second half.

The third quarter was all Melbourne with former Breakers Cedric Jackson and Tai Wesley scoring inside and out. David Andersen and Ramone Moore also slotted in three pointers to put Melbourne ahead 52-48.

The Breakers responded in the final ten minutes in front of a crowd of 5639. Outstanding defensive work from Rob Loe and Akil Mitchell plus offensive output from Kirk Penny and Webster fuelled a 15 point Breakers run. However Wesley and Chris Goulding hit back to bring Melbourne within three points with less than two minutes remaining.

Melbourne desperate for possession and time their enemy were forced to foul sending Abercrombie, Mika Vukona and Woodside to the free throw line which converted into the Breakers final nine points and hold United at bay.

Paul Henare was pleased with the victory in his first time up as head coach in the Australian NBL.
“I’m really happy with the result, good to see all the guys on the floor and seeing the chemistry start to build. It is one game out of 28 and we’re going to enjoy it and move on,” said Henare.

“We didn’t play anyone over 30 minutes everyone got a decent hit out, the bigs worked extremely well together we’ve got four really good bigs there that we just keep rolling them in and you have confidence that they come in and do the job.”

Henare was not put off facing Melbourne in their first game on the season.
“Our belief in ourselves never wavered we knew we were facing a very good side and we knew we had to play some very good basketball to beat them and that’s what I’m proud of.”

The newcomers slotted in well in their debuts for the team.

“Rob Loe, he’s smart he knows the game he knows who he is as a player and you develop a level of trust because you just know what you are going to get out of Robbie and tonight he played out of his skin he was physical inside he battled on the boards and when he was on the floor the score was going the right way,” said Henare.

American point guard Woodside said that he has moulded well into the team.
“Adapting into the game is pretty simple when you have been playing basketball your whole life and for me it’s been smooth and I’ve really enjoyed it so far,” he said.

He also enjoyed his match up with Jackson, “He’s a great player and you’ve got to respect a guy like that who’s a winner and it’s great to go against a player like that.”

Jackson on the other had said it was weird playing against the Breakers for the first time.
“It was pretty weird, but as soon as the jump ball came up I just focussed and tried to get rolling.
“This game was a good learning lesson for us as a new group and we took a lot of positives out of this game, just minor tune-ups and I think we’ll be alright,” said Jackson.

Melbourne coach Dean Demopolous knows what it is like to lose at Vector Arena ( going down 78-91 to the Breakers seven months ago in last season’s semi-final).

“New Zealand played a hell of a game tonight and I thought we played well also, somebody’s got to lose it’s us tonight and hopefully on Sunday (United entertain Adelaide) it’s the other team,” said Demopolous.

“We lost, but I think we are going to be a very good team. It’s a work in progress, I’ve got a bunch of new faces, but I love our energy and I’ve loved it for a long time.”

Demopolous was pleased with his two former Breakers players Ced and Tai.
“They’ve been terrific, great attitudes, they work hard every day, they come early, stay late, they’re men not kids and I respect them and value their opinions and judgement on things especially their play. As they assimilate into this group as David Anderson is and Ramone Moore I see a lot of good things happening for Melbourne United.”

Abercrombie top scored for the Breakers with 14, Vukona had 12 and Webster 11. Wesley led the scorers for Melbourne with 15 (in just 14 minutes), Jackson was on 14 and Moore, Andersen and Goulding all contributed nine points.

Oct 03 2016
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Double Delight for Auckland at Wheelchair Nationals

Report from Cathy Parker

Both the semi-finals and finals were completed on Sunday at Trusts Stadium, Waitakere in the Wheelchair Nationals Tournament.

In A Division Auckland triumphed over Mid West in one semi whilst the Warriors avenged their three point defeat by Waikato in the playoffs with a 51-47 victory to progress from the other semi-final.

In the final Auckland started with a 10 point run set up by a strong full court press and the scoring spread around with Mark Sullivan and Panchpreet Dhillon each scoring a brace before Poko Mani scored the Warriors first points with Panchpreet returning the favour.

The Warriors then had a six point run with Auckland’s shooting going cold, Rewiti Cameron scoring a brace for the Warriors to take it to 12-8 to Auckland who then added four more points to close out the first quarter 16-10. The second quarter started in a similar fashion to the first with an eight point run to the Auckland Wheelbreakers – the first six from Jimmy Russell, the run halted by two free throws from Warren Putt before the Wheelbreakers added another six. Marty Oliver answered back with a two and Poko Mani with a long 3 pointer but Auckland had the last say ending the quarter up 32-16 and starting to look comfortable.

In what was now a familiar pattern the Wheelbreakers started the 2nd half with an aggressive full court press and got several 8 second calls and turnovers to again have a six point streak. The Warriors scored most of their third quarter points from the charity stripe with Warren Putt dropping three and Marty Oliver two , Auckland closed the quarter with a 23 point lead 46-23, which was fortunate with two of their forwards in foul trouble.

The Warriors got the better start to the final quarter with an 8-4 run to take the score to 50-30 to the Wheelbreakers who then decided to put their foot on the Warriors throat and score the final 16 points on the trot, 12 of them to Jimmy Russell to take a deserved win 66-30 to back up last years win.

Auckland Wheelbreakers – Jimmy Russell 18, Ricardo Gozon 13, Panchpreet Dhillon 10. Te Puke o Te Whai Warriors – Rewiti Cameron 10, Poko Mani 8, Warren Putt 7.

 

In the B Division semi finals Auckland saw off Waikato B to reverse the playoff result and get to the final, whilst Northland were too strong for Taranaki in the other semi.

Auckland had won the playoff but finished second on count back to Northland and was keen to make amends and despite strong defence from both teams Auckland took the win and the title 35-21 giving Auckland both titles for the second year in a row and earning congratulations for club coach Glenn McDonald.

Auckland B – Dave Sherriff 12, Cathy Parker 8, Daniel Goulton 7

Te Raki Troopers Northland Brent Lynn 15.

Oct 02 2016
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Wheelchair Nationals report – Day 1

Wheelchair Basketball Nationals Day one report from Cathy Parker

The first day of the Wheelchair basketball nationals at Trusts Stadium in Auckland saw 10 teams competing over two divisions with five teams in the A division and 5 in the B division. Day one saw all teams play their pool games so each team had four games (these are full length 10 min quarter stop clock games).

A Division saw the defending champs, Auckland Wheelbreakers, dominate (4-0) with the closest challenge from the newly formed Te Puku o Te Whai Warriors (2-2), who fielded a number of previous New Zealand representative players.

Auckland won that match up 54-38 pulling away to a comfortable lead after a fairly tight first three quarters.

The final match of the day was Auckland Wheelbreakers Vs last years beaten finalists Waikato (3-1), with Auckland dominating the game 73-30. The other close contests for the day were Waikato Vs the Warriors with Waikato just edging ahead at the end for a 42-39 win and Waikato vs the 2nd new team at this years Nationals, Mid West (1-3).

Again Waikato just held the advantage 65-62.

The B Division games were generally much closer with Auckland Development, Te Raki Troopers – Northland and Waikato B all finishing (3-1).

Northland beat Waikato convincingly 40-19 to hold top honours after the pool games despite loosing to Auckland 30-36 – who in turn lost to Waikato 22-24 with a last second buzzer beater giving the honours to Waikato.

Taranaki (1-3) and Wheelington (0-4) rounded out B Division.

The semi finals of both divisions are Sunday morning from 9am.The B Division Final is at 1.00pm and the A Division at 2.45pm. Spectator entry is free.

Places after pool play

Place     A Division                                                 B Division

1st             Auckland Wheelbreakers             Te Raki Troopers Northland

2nd           Waikato A                                                Auckland Development

3rd            Te Puku Te Whai Warriors            Waikato B

4th            Mid West                                                  Taranaki

5th            BOP                                                               Wheelington

Wheelchair basketball

The Nationals are a sanctioned BBNZ Nationals. Wheelchair basketball is played on standard basketball courts with standard height goals. Games are the same structure as stand up basketball – 10 minute stop clock quarters, 24 second shot clock, normal time outs, subbing etc.

The bulk of the rules are as for stand up basketball with some specific differences to cater for the the chairs in terms of obstruction and fouls, double dribbles are allowed (as some players need to carry the ball on their lap) and a travel is where a player pushes on the wheel more than twice without bouncing the ball.

Players are classified on a points system to ensure a mix of players can play, those with the highest level of disability have a 1 point classification through to players with minimal disability (or an able bodied player – yes they can play at any level under full international competition) having a 4.5 classification.

A team may only have five players totalling 14 points or less on the court ensuring the lower point players get fair court time. The lower point players (1-3) tend to be guards and the higher point players (3.5-4.5) forwards.

Oct 01 2016
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School Basketball

Waardenburg has “Huge respect” for Palmerston Boys after Secondary Schools Nationals Final

 

 

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Rangitoto College Boys and St Peter’s School, Cambridge Girls, have retained the 2016 Secondary Schools Championship titles.

St Peter’s saw off the challenge of Mt Albert Grammar while Rangitoto College survived a stunning second half comeback, likely one of the greatest in the history of the tournament, to thwart Palmerston North Boys.

A big crowd packed the Manawatu Arena for what turned out to be a sensational Boys Final featuring the home team Palmerston North Boys and Rangitoto College.

At half-time Rangitoto were in cruise mode leading 60-35 but what transpired in the second half was remarkable.

If it had been all Rangi in the first half it was all Palmy in the third quarter as they mounted a 31-8 charge inspired by 20 points in the period from centre Callum McRae. Palmy closed the third just two points adrift 68-66 and the delirious home crowd was in full voice.

After the two teams exchanged baskets for large chunks of the fourth the frenzied Palmerston onslaught appeared to have been quelled by Rangi as Sam Waardenburg and Kaycee Anibueze scored back to back baskets that gave Rangi a 77-73 lead with a just two minutes to play.

However Palmy weren’t finished as Oscar Oswald scored four quick points and drew an offensive charge – the scores tied 79 apiece with seconds to play.

Haize Walker was fouled on the drive and he made the first of two free throws to edge Palmy ahead 80-79 with just 7 seconds to play.

The second freebie was missed. Rangi secured an untidy rebound, worked the ball just over the half way line to Cameron Stone and he launched a speculative three point attempt.

As the full time buzzer sounded the ball found nothing but net and Stone was submerged by a sea of Rangi players. A courageous, remarkable comeback by Palmerston was denied – Rangitoto home by the skin of their teeth 82-80.

Earlier Jack Henry and Walker made opening quarter threes for Palmerston North but 14 first quarter points from Dan Fotu propelled Rangitoto to a significant 31-16 advantage.

The lead grew to 39-18 as Sam Waardenburg and Zack Te-Puni connected from long range prompting a Palmerston timeout.

Rangi were almost unstoppable as they headed to the half-time break 60-35 ahead on the back of shooting splits 63/71/100. Six players landed shots from beyond the three point arc as they jointly connected with a stunning 10 from 14 attempts.

Palmerston North started the third with a 12-4 run as they consistently went inside to centre McRae. The tactic continued to work dividends as the 7 footer proved almost impossible to stop.

The momentum stayed with Palmerston North before Stone had that final say.

Tournament MVP Sam Waardenburg remembers it as the craziest game he has ever been involved in.

“Just the way it ended, my last high school game ever, with a great group of guys, it was ridiculous I still can’t believe it.

“I knew there were seven seconds left after the free throw shot but after that went up there was a lot of loose ball stuff going on I had no idea how long remained.

“I’m just so happy Cam let the shot fly. It was just a crazy moment and I had no idea if there was time left or the game was over.

“I have huge respect for the Palmy boys, they were gracious in defeat and the haka that their team and supporters performed after the game was awesome,” he added.

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Final score; Rangitoto 82 – Fotu 27/7rebs/5assists, Waardenburg 18/8, Stone 9/5assists, Te Puni 9,Anderson 8

Palmerston North 80 – McRae 33/17, Oswald 22, Henry 10, Walker 6

The 3rd/4th play-off game was won 63-56 by New Plymouth Boys against Auckland Grammar.

The sustained excellence of Charlise Leger-Walker carried St Peter’s School Cambridge to a second consecutive title. She produced a stunning 35 points (14/28FG) and added 14 rebounds. There were terrific supporting roles from fellow Junior Tall Fern Kendell Heremaia, junior international Ella Bradley and the tireless Georgie Edgecombe but it was Leger-Walker who stole the show and led her team to victory.

St Peter’s led 21-18 at the end of an entertaining opening quarter. Both teams, relying on key players playing big minutes, appeared fatigued but Leger-Walker landed a banked three on the stroke of half-time to keep St Peter’s ahead 32-27 at the interval.

The Junior Tall Ferns guard led all scorers with 15 points at the break, teammate Heremaia had 9 points. For Mt Albert the forward duo of Trinity Paeu (10pts) and Sharne Pupuke-Robati (9pts) led the scoring.

The St Peter’s advantage stretched out to double figures in the third prompting a timeout from Mt Albert. Jada Manase made a three for MAGS but it was still St Peter’s advantage 50-38 at three-quarter time.

Manase led a Mt Albert surge early in the fourth as they closed to within 6 points, 57-51 with just under five minutes to play. However, St Peter’s defensive specialist Edgecombe snuffed out any thoughts of a sustained Mt Albert effort. She snared a pair of steals and made baskets on successive plays for St Peter’s to extend to 65-51 and break the Mt Albert resistance.

Mt Albert battled hard but there was nothing left in the tank and St Peter’s ran out deserved winners.

Final score: St Peter’s 68 – Leger-Walker 35/14 rebounds, Heremaia 17/10, Bradley 8/6.

Mt Albert 53 – Paeu 14/8, Pupuke-Robati 13/10, Manase 10

Auckland Girls Grammar won the 3rd/4th play-off game beating Westlake Girls 69-67.

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