Both New Zealand Men’ and Women’s teams opened their FIBA Under 17 Oceania Championship campaign with a comfortable wins against Samoa in New Caledonia on Monday.
The Women won 93-35 and the Men 78-37.
Ahead 52-22 at half-time New Zealand Women’s Head Coach Hernando Planells was able to give all of his players plenty of game time.
All 12 players responded by putting points on the board with Arielle Williams, Olivia Williams, Caitlin O’Connell and Ella Paleaae-Cook all making double figures
Sophie Adams led the rebounding count with 7 boards and Jess Moors was a beast on defence claiming 6 steals.
New Zealand plays Guam tomorrow morning at 10am before rounding out pool play on Wednesday against Australia.
New Zealand 93– Arielle Williams 17, Olivia Williams 16, Caitlin O’Connell 11/4a, Ella Paleaae-Cook 10, Ashlee Strawbridge 8, Rochelle Fourie 6, Emilee Tahata 6, Sophie Adams 5/7r, Paris Mason 4, Chynelle Marama 4/5a, Hannah Matehaere 4, Jess Moors 2/6st
Samoa 35– Shaylee Coulter-Faamafu 11/9r, Charlize Lealiiee 8/4r.
The U17 Men also eased past Samoa winning 78-37.
Robbie Coman got off to a hot start, going two from three from both the line and field to race out to six points. Samoa struggled to score the ball from the get-go and trailed the Kiwis 24-13 at quarter time.
Harbour’s Sean Murphy ended the half with 16 points and was the only Kiwi to pass the 10-point mark at that time with a 45-21 lead established.
The Kiwis put together a 15-0 run to commence the second half and cruised to the win thereafter – a game against Guam the next assignment on Tuesday afternoon.
New Zealand 78– Sean Murphy 16, Robbie Coman 14, Finn Lally 10, Harry Payne 8, Reihana Maxwell-Topia 8/8r, Ezrah Vaigafa 6, Campbell Atkinson 4, Connor Ngan 4, Zeke Stallworth 4, Alex McNaught 2, Rishon Royce 2/6r.
Samoa 37– Derhyse Matautia 7, Jordan Brunt 7.
LACEY LOWDOWN 