LACEY LOWDOWN

Plenty to like about the efforts of the kiwis playing NCAA Division II and III basketball. 

In particular Eva Langton, Chanel Brodeur-Muir, Raquel Sampson, Will Heather, Conor Flanagan and Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones are putting up some good numbers.

NCAA Division II Women

Chanel Brodeur-Muir (Senior at St Thomas Aquinas College, New York)

Chanel Brodeur-Muir is second on scoring (7.8ppg)and rebounding (5.4rpg) for the Spartans. Has scored in double figures on five occasions this season.

This season GP 11 GS 8 Points 86 Rebounds 59

Career GP 58 GS 12 Points 170

Eva Langton (Texas A&M International)

Eva Langton won the Lone Star Conference Player of the Week following an outstanding 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and 6 steals to go with 13 points in the win against St Edwards. The six steals were a career high.

This season GP 9 GS 9 Points 99

Career GP 49 GS 44 Points 345

Hannah Wentworth (Sophomore at Eckerd College)

Hannah played her freshman season at Utah State University Eastern. Scored a season high 9 points against Davenport in December. Leads the team in 3-point shooting at 44% (7/16).

This season GP 7 GS 0 Points 25

Tessa Talo-Tomokino (Sophomore at Northeastern State University)

Tessa started 12 of 22 games for the Riverhawks in 2020-21. Only played 16 minutes per game but led the team in FG% making 23 from 47 at 48%.

This season GP 4 GS 0 Points 12

Career GP 26 GS 12 Points 67

Raquel Sampson (Freshman at Auburn University Montgomery)

Scored a season high 11 points against Trevecca Nazarene. Is third on the team in rebounding averaging 4 boards per game.

This season GP 6 GS 0 Points 43 Rebounds 24

NCAA Division III Women

Rachel Pike (Freshman at University of Wisconsin Superior)

Rachel Pike scored a season best 7 points against Martin Luther in December.

This season GP 6 GS 0 Points 10

Katie Van Den Bogaert (Freshman at Whitworth University)

Katie scored two points in both the games she has played this season.

This season GP 2 GS 0 Points 4

NCAA Division II Men

Matt Brien (Senior at University of Nebraska at Kearney)

Matt Brien scored a season high 15 points against Sterling. Claimed 10 rebounds in the same game for a second career double-double. 

This season GP 9 GS 2 Points 22

Career GP 31 GS 13 Points 179

Conor Flanagan (Junior at University of West Florida)

Scored a season best 13 points against Clark Atlanta and has recently passed the career 400 points mark.

This season GP 12 GS 0 Points 66 Rebounds 39

Career GP 57 GS 33 Points 415

Sam Gold (Freshman at Holy Names University)

Three appearances to date for Sam Gold – 4 points and 4 rebounds against Chaminade.

This season GP 3 GS 0 Points 4

William Heather (Junior at Dallas Baptist University)

Made 5 from 7 three-pointer against Texas A&M Commerce. Has made 15 from 29 threes at 52%. Wil scored a career best 21 points against Colorado Mesa.

This season GP 9 GS 8 Points 94

Career GP 54 GS 31 Points 426

Josh Lowe (Senior at Lee University)

Josh missed the entire 2020-21 season after undergoing surgery – has started all 7 games for Lee. Scored a season high 14 points against Johnson.

This season GP 7 GS 7 Points 35

Career GP 59 GS 36 Points 302 Rebounds 191

Sean Murphy (Freshman at University of Nebraska Kearney)

Sean scored a season high 10 points against Chadron State and has claimed 8 rebounds in a game on  three occasions.

This season GP 11 GS 8 Points 44 Rebounds 59 

Oscar Oswald (Junior at St Edwards University)

The former Junior Tall Black out of Palmerston North Boys High School hasn’t played this season as he recovers from injury.

Tom Power (Junior at University of Hawaii at Hilo)

The Waikato forward has played just two games this season.

This season GP 2 GS 0 Points 0

Career GP 59 GS 8 PPG 1.0

Mac Stodart (Sophomore at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)

Mac Stodart has transferred to Colorado Springs after playing his freshman season at Concordia University where he made 13 appearances. Has a season high 9 points against Kansas Christian in this campaign.

This season GP 8 GS 0 Points 23

Career GP 13 GS 8 Points 166

Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (Sophomore at University of Hawaii at Hilo)

Tait-Jones leads the Hilo scoring (16.8ppg) and rebounding (7.5rpg). Has scored in double figures in all 10 games with a season high 26 points against Simpson.

This season GP 10 GS 10 Points 168 Rebounds 75 Assists 27

Career GP 17 GS 17 Points 366 Rebounds 177

Thomas Whyte (Junior at Assumption University)

The former Auckland Grammar guard has made three appearances this season scoring 3 points against Georgian Court.

This season GP 3 GS 0 Points 3

Career GP 13 GS 0 Point 14

Marvin Williams-Dunn (Sophomore at Ouachita Baptist University)

Marvin has played all 10 games for the Tigers this season – scored 6 points against Texas-Tyler.

This season GP 10 GS 3 Points 19

Career GP 27 GS 14 PPG 81

NCAA Division III Men

Alex Blackmore (Freshman at Castleton University)

The former St Pat’s Silverstream wing has made a good start to his career at Castleton, Season highs 14 points and 6 rebounds against Norwich. Third on the team in rebounding (45).

This season GP 11 GS 0 Points 69

Lachie MacFarlane (Freshman at Orbelin College, Ohio)

Former Rangiora High School head boy Lachie McFarlane has played just the two games for the Yeomen.

This season GP 2 GS 0 Points 0

Ben Reeves (Sophomore at St Joseph’s College, Brooklyn)

Former Otago Boys High School guard Ben Reeves returns to New York for his sophomore season after all Division III programmes were cancelled in 2020-21 due to covid.

Career GP 9 Points 6

Noah Watson (Senior at Muhlenberg College)

Having started all 10 games for Muhlenberg Noah Watson scored a career high 20 points against S

Div 2 & 3 Mid-season

Plenty to like about the efforts of the kiwis playing NCAA Division II and III basketball. 

In particular Eva Langton, Chanel Brodeur-Muir, Raquel Sampson, Will Heather, Conor Flanagan and Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones are putting up some good numbers.

NCAA Division II Women

Chanel Brodeur-Muir (Senior at St Thomas Aquinas College, New York)

Chanel Brodeur-Muir is second on scoring (7.8ppg)and rebounding (5.4rpg) for the Spartans. Has scored in double figures on five occasions this season.

This season GP 11 GS 8 Points 86 Rebounds 59

Career GP 58 GS 12 Points 170

Eva Langton (Texas A&M International)

Eva Langton won the Lone Star Conference Player of the Week following an outstanding 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and 6 steals to go with 13 points in the win against St Edwards. The six steals were a career high.

This season GP 9 GS 9 Points 99

Career GP 49 GS 44 Points 345

Hannah Wentworth (Sophomore at Eckerd College)

Hannah played her freshman season at Utah State University Eastern. Scored a season high 9 points against Davenport in December. Leads the team in 3-point shooting at 44% (7/16).

This season GP 7 GS 0 Points 25

Tessa Talo-Tomokino (Sophomore at Northeastern State University)

Tessa started 12 of 22 games for the Riverhawks in 2020-21. Only played 16 minutes per game but led the team in FG% making 23 from 47 at 48%.

This season GP 4 GS 0 Points 12

Career GP 26 GS 12 Points 67

Raquel Sampson (Freshman at Auburn University Montgomery)

Scored a season high 11 points against Trevecca Nazarene. Is third on the team in rebounding averaging 4 boards per game.

This season GP 6 GS 0 Points 43 Rebounds 24

NCAA Division III Women

Rachel Pike (Freshman at University of Wisconsin Superior)

Rachel Pike scored a season best 7 points against Martin Luther in December.

This season GP 6 GS 0 Points 10

Katie Van Den Bogaert (Freshman at Whitworth University)

Katie scored two points in both the games she has played this season.

This season GP 2 GS 0 Points 4

NCAA Division II Men

Matt Brien (Senior at University of Nebraska at Kearney)

In his second season Matt scored a season high 15 points against Sterling. Claimed 10 rebounds in the same game for a second career double-double. 

This season GP 9 GS 2 Points 22

Career GP 31 GS 13 Points 179

Conor Flanagan (Junior at University of West Florida)

Scored a season best 13 points against Clark Atlanta and has recently passed the career 400 points mark.

This season GP 12 GS 0 Points 66 Rebounds 39

Career GP 57 GS 33 Points 415

Sam Gold (Freshman at Holy Names University)

Three appearances to date for Sam Gold – 4 points and 4 rebounds against Chaminade.

This season GP 3 GS 0 Points 4

William Heather (Junior at Dallas Baptist University)

Made 5 from 7 three-pointer against Texas A&M Commerce. Has made 15 from 29 threes at 52%. Wil scored a career best 21 points against Colorado Mesa.

This season GP 9 GS 8 Points 94

Career GP 54 GS 31 Points 426

Josh Lowe (Senior at Lee University)

Josh missed the entire 2020-21 season after undergoing surgery – has started all 7 games for Lee. Scored a season high 14 points against Johnson.

This season GP 7 GS 7 Points 35

Career GP 59 GS 36 Points 302 Rebounds 191

Sean Murphy (Freshman at University of Nebraska Kearney)

Sean scored a season high 10 points against Chadron State and has claimed 8 rebounds in a game on  three occasions.

This season GP 11 GS 8 Points 44 Rebounds 59 

Oscar Oswald (Junior at St Edwards University)

The former Junior Tall Black out of Palmerston North Boys High School hasn’t played this season as he recovers from injury.

Tom Power (Junior at University of Hawaii at Hilo)

The Waikato forward has played just two games this season.

This season GP 2 GS 0 Points 0

Career GP 59 GS 8 PPG 1.0

Mac Stodart (Sophomore at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)

Mac Stodart has transferred to Colorado Springs after playing his freshman season at Concordia University where he made 13 appearances. Has a season high 9 points against Kansas Christian in this campaign.

This season GP 8 GS 0 Points 23

Career GP 13 GS 8 Points 166

Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (Sophomore at University of Hawaii at Hilo)

Tait-Jones leads the Hilo scoring (16.8ppg) and rebounding (7.5rpg). Has scored in double figures in all 10 games with a season high 26 points against Simpson.

This season GP 10 GS 10 Points 168 Rebounds 75 Assists 27

Career GP 17 GS 17 Points 366 Rebounds 177

Thomas Whyte (Junior at Assumption University)

The former Auckland Grammar guard has made three appearances this season scoring 3 points against Georgian Court.

This season GP 3 GS 0 Points 3

Career GP 13 GS 0 Point 14

Marvin Williams-Dunn (Sophomore at Ouachita Baptist University)

Marvin has played all 10 games for the Tigers this season – scored 6 points against Texas-Tyler.

This season GP 10 GS 3 Points 19

Career GP 27 GS 14 PPG 81

NCAA Division III Men

Alex Blackmore (Freshman at Castleton University)

The former St Pat’s Silverstream wing has made a good start to his career at Castleton, Season highs 14 points and 6 rebounds against Norwich. Third on the team in rebounding (45).

This season GP 11 GS 0 Points 69

Lachie MacFarlane (Freshman at Orbelin College, Ohio)

Former Rangiora High School head boy Lachie McFarlane has played just the two games for the Yeomen.

This season GP 2 GS 0 Points 0

Ben Reeves (Sophomore at St Joseph’s College, Brooklyn)

Former Otago Boys High School guard Ben Reeves returns to New York for his sophomore season after all Division III programmes were cancelled in 2020-21 due to covid.

Career GP 9 Points 6

Noah Watson (Senior at Muhlenberg College)

Having started all 10 games for Muhlenberg Noah Watson scored a career high 20 points against Susquehanna.

This season GP 10 GS 10 Points 74

GP 52 GS 10 Points 343

In the third of our collegiate mid-term reports we take a look at the New Zealand athletes playing NAIA (the major alternative to NCAA) Division I hoops in the States and a couple of kiwis up in Canada.

Canada Division I Men

Hayden Collier (Senior at University of Regina)

The Cantabrian forward tallied 3 points and 11 rebounds in the season opener for the Cougars – doesn’t appear to have played any further games.

This season GP 1 GS 1

Career GP 14 

Canada Division I Women

Sofia Kennedy (Sophomore at University of Windsor)

Point guard Sofia Kennedy scored a career high 13 points against Waterloo and in the same game dished a season best 4 assists.

This season GP 7 GS 4 Points 31 Assists 11

Career GP 22 GS 5 Points 46 

NAIA Division I Women

Dominique Stephens (Sophomore at Rocky Mountain College, Montana)

The former Waikato rep is averaging a handy 6 points per game – Dominique scored a career high 20 points against Benedictine Mesa – named Frontier Conference Player of the Week after that performance.

This season GP 12 GS 0 Points 70 Rebounds 40 

NAIA Division I Men

Kone Nabil (Freshman at Trinity International University, Chicago)

The Mali born, Rotorua Boys High educated forward scored a season high 13 points against Missouri Valley – had 10 rebounds in the same game to record a first collegiate double-double.

This season GP 14 GS 1 Points 47 Rebounds 51

Piripi Korent (Freshman at Milligan University)

The former St Pat’s College Silverstream player has scored a season best 11 points on three separate occasions. One of three Milligan player to pull down over 50 rebounds.

This season GP 11 GS 2 Points 74 Rebounds 51

Corey Le’aupepe (Senior at Menlo College)

The former St Pat’s Town forward scored a career high 22 points against Cal Maritime. The leading rebounder (6.0rpg) is also second on the team in scoring (12.8ppg). Already well past 500 career points.

This season GP 12 GS 12 Points 154 Rebounds 72

Career GP 65 GS 38 Points 525 Rebounds 217

Finn McClure (Sophomore at Milligan University)

9 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists on the 2021-22 season opener for the Wellington guard who has since moved past 200 career points. 

This season GP 6 GS 6 Points 44

Career GP 23 GS 19 Points 204

Reihana Maxwell-Topia (Sophomore at St Francis University, Illinois)

Reihana scored a season high 14 points against MidAmerican Nazarene as he adjusts back to playing the power forward spot for the Fighting Saints.

This season GP 10 GS 0 Points 37 Rebounds 30

Career GP 32 GS 4 Points 100 Rebounds 73

Kael Robinson (Junior at Rocky Mountain College, Montana)

Playing alongside fellow Waikato native Maxim Stephens the former St John’s College wing scored a season high 15 points against Yellowstone. Shooting the three-ball at 42.9% (12/28).

This season GP 12 GS 2 Points 85

Jackson Smyth (Freshman at Southern Oregon University)

The Sydney raised, ex-Auckland Huskies guard scored a season high 7 points against William Jessup.

This season GP 11 GS 0 Points 27

Maxim Stephens (Sophomore at Rocky Mountain College, Montana)

Stephens leads Rocky in points (14.4ppg), rebounds (8.8) and blocks (12). Has scored in double figures in nine games – against Benedict Mesa had a massive double-double of 22 points and 22 rebounds! Approaching 600 career points with plenty more to come.

This season GP 12 GS 12 Points 173 Rebounds 105

Career GP 33 Points 562

As anticipated it is the fifth year seniors, along with Charlisse Leger-Walker, that are grabbing most of the headlines so far this NCAA Division I season. Tegan Graham, Kendell Heremaia, Tera Reed, Charlisse and Krystal Leger-Walker are performing some exceptional deeds for their respective teams.

5^th Year Seniors

Tegan Graham (Brigham Young University)

On the cusp of setting a new record for NCAA Division I games played by a Kiwi (the current mark is 136 games played by Jillian Harmon at Stanford University, 2005-09). Graham has already set one record that will take some beating.Against Oklahoma she made 10 shots from behind the arc from 17 attempts (59%) for a career high 30 points.

Not only did those 30 points take her past 1,000 Division I career points – the 17^th New Zealander to do so – but set a record for the most 3-pointers ever made by a Kiwi in a single game of college basketball.

This season GP 11 GS 11 Pts 131 Rebs 32 Assists 53

Div 1 Career GP 134 GS 59 Points 1039

Kendell Heremaia (Fordham University)

Heremaia recently passed 1,100 career points and 100 career starts. Matched her career high 29 points at Seton Hall in November and leads the Rams rebounding count this season.

Sits 9^th on the all-time list for points scored by a Kiwi in Women’s Division I basketball and 5^th on the all-time appearances list.

This season GP 11 GS 11 Pts 132 Rebs 61 Assists 27

Div 1 Career GP 128 GS 101 Points 1106 Rebs 693

Krystal Leger-Walker (Washington State University)

Krystal Leger-Walker has already amassed over 500 career assists, a record by a Kiwi in Women’s NCAA Division 1 play. Already with 50 for the season she is almost certain to pass the 100 dimes mark for her fifth straight year.

With 123 starts she is only 5 shy of Erin Rooney’s NZ record 128 Division I starts.

This season GP 11 GS 11 Pts 81 Rebs 49 Assists 50

Career Stats GP 123 GS 101 Points 875 Assists 537

Akienne-Tera Reed (University of Southern California) 

Tera Reed now sits second on the NZ all-time Women’s Division I points scoring list (1,563 points) behind Erin Rooney (1,648pts). After an outstanding 4-year career at Virginia Commonwealth University Tera has transferred to USC where she has taken on a leadership role while also acting more of a facilitator (she leads USC in assists per game) than premier scorer.

This season GP 10 GS 10 Pts 77 Rebs 40 Assists 32

Career Stats GP 121 GS 117 Points 1563 

Seniors

Aimee Book (Fresno State University)

Aimee Book has transferred to Fresno State University for her senior year after three years at California State University Fullerton. Still finding her feet after missing the second half of the 2020-21 season through injury, she scored a season best 18 points against UC Merced in December. Needs 2 points to pass Brooke Blair (835 points) and move up to 17^th on the NZ all-time Division I scoring list.

This season GP 11 GS 7 Pts 74 Rebs 29

Career Stats GP 77 GS 50 Points 835 

McKenna Dale (Senior at University of Virginia)

Played 45 games for Brown in two seasons scoring 432 points McKenna Dale has transferred to the University of Virginia. The former Junior Tall Fern is yet to make the impact for the Cavaliers that she did for Brown.

This season GP 11 GS 0 Pts 18 Rebs 18

Career Stats GP 56 GS 21 Points 450

Lauryn Mapusua (Houston Baptist University)

Lauryn Mapusua played two seasons at Hutchinson Community College followed by a year at Central Arkansas University (2020-21). Scored a season high 11 points against Dartford in November.

This season GP 10 GS 1 Pts 35, Rebounds 16

Career GP 22 GS 4 Points 44

Tsubasa Nisbet (Georgia Southern University)

The Eagles co-captain has started 6 of 10 games this season. Scored a season high 7 points on two occasions. 

This season GP 10 GS 6 Pts 28, Rebounds 31

Career GP 70 GS 22 Points 168, Rebounds 154

Pareunora Pene (University of Tennessee Chattanooga)

Rotorua’s Pareunora Pene has played 58 games for the Mocs. A great role player she continues to do whatever is required for her team.

This season GP 8 GS 0 Pts 3, Assists 4

Career GP 58 GS 2 Points 60

Juniors 

Kaitlin Burgess (Boise State University)

Kaitlin Burgess has joined Boise State after playing two years at Junior College for Southern Idaho Golden Eagles. Averaging 17 minutes per game for the Bulldogs and is second best on the team from beyond the arc at 33% (15/45). Scored a season best 11 points against Oregon Tech.

This season & Div I Career GP 10 GS 0 Pts 43 Rebs 10

Grace Hunter (Florida International University)

Porirua’s Grace Hunter has joined Florida International University after playing two years for South Plains Junior College. Scored a season best 13 points against Georgia Southern – has made all 12 of her free-throws so far this season.

This season & Div I Career GP 8 GS 0 Pts 45 Rebs 10

Jade Kirisome  (St Mary’s College, California)

Fourth on the team in scoring (7.2ppg) Jade Kirisome scored a season high 17 points against North Carolina State before missing the last two games prior to Xmas.

This season GP 9 GS 5 Pts 65 Rebs 21

Career GP 67 GS 32 Points 387

Tara Manumaleuga (Texas Christian University)

Tara Manumaleuga transferred to Texas Christian after two years at the University of Arizona where she played 25 games for the Wildcats. Has scored a season best 9 points on two occasions. 

This season GP 8 GS 1 Pts 28 Rebounds 9

Career GP 34 GS 1 Points 78

Kaylee Smiler (Brigham Young University)

A defensive spark off the bench Kaylee Smiler has unfortunately missed 5 of BYU’s 10 games this season due to injury. Will be a key player for BYU in upcoming conference play.

This season GP 5 GS 0 Pts 19, Rebounds 11

Career GP 54 GS 0 Points 141, Rebounds 76

Amy West (St Mary’s College, California)

Amy West is one of only two players to have started all 11 games for the Gaels this season. Is second on the team for total rebounds.

This season GP 11 GS 11 Pts 31, Rebounds 39

Career GP 40 GS 18 Points 135

Charlotte Whittaker (Redshirt Junior at University of Colorado)

Charlotte is sitting out the 2021-22 season as she recovers from hip surgery.

Career GP 50 GS 11 PPG 5.5 RPG 2.6

Sophomores

Tayla Dalton (St Mary’s College, California)

A 90% free-throw shooter Tayla Dalton is averaging 18.5 minutes per game – has scored a season best 11 points twice.

This season GP 11 GS 7 Pts 63 Rebs 20

Career GP 37 GS 10 Points 186

Victoria Ikenasio (St Peter’s University, New Jersey)

Only a small sample size but Victoria Ikenasio leads St Peter’s Peacocks field goal percentage at 50% (5/10). Averaging 7.2 minutes per game.

This season GP 10 GS 0 Pts 26 Rebs 21

Career GP 36 GS 2 Points 85, Rebounds 83

Kobe King-Hawea (University of Texas at Austin)

Melbourne educated, Kobe King-Hawea played two-years in junior college before signing with UTA. She has struggled for opportunities at the highly rated Texas with the 9-1 Longhorns ranked #12 in the country.

This season & Div I Career GP 3 GS 0 Points 10

Charlisse Leger-Walker (Washington State University)

Charlisse recently picked up the Pac 12 Player of the Week Award as she continues to put up big numbers. Currently leads the team in minutes played (36.1mpg), scoring (17.2ppg) and steals (2.3spg). Has scored in double figures in all but one game and 20 points or more on five occasions.

This season GP 11 GS 11 Pts 189 Rebounds 61, Assists 38, Steals 25

Career GP 35 GS 35 Points 594, Rebounds 188, 113 assists, 79 steals

Helen Matthews (Wofford College)

Helen Matthews is second on the team for assists made (2.1apg). Scored a season best 14 points against Brevard in early December – had 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the same game.

This season GP 12 GS 2 Pts 76 Rebounds 33, Assists 25

Career GP 35 GS 8 Points 217

Emme Shearer (University of Portland)

Emme Shearer equaled her career high with 16 points against Weber State. Also had 5 steals in that game and leads the Pilots in that statistical category with 2.2spg.

This season GP 12 GS 11 Pts 77, Rebounds 28, Steals 25

Career GP 39 GS 26 Points 266

Freshmen

Arielle Mackey-Williams (Brigham Young University)

Arielle Mackey-Williams is getting limited opportunity on a senior laden roster at #20 BYU but did score a season best 9 points in the final game before Xmas against Montana State.

This season GP 8 GS 0 Pts 15

Jess Moors (Colorado State University)

Jess Moors played a season high 13 minutes against Colorado Christian snaring 3 rebounds to add to her first collegiate field goal.

This season GP 7 GS 0 Points 3 Rebs 11

Olivia Williams (University of California Irvine)

Olivia Williams has made a strong start to her collegiate career making a start in every game to date. Averaging 5.3ppg she scored a season high 13 points against Westcliff. 

This season GP 11 GS 11 Pts 58 Rebounds 19

Redshirt Freshmen

Rochelle Fourie (University of California, Northridge) Emilee Tahata (La Salle University) and Jayzelee Waihi (Wichita State University)

All three players are sitting out the 2021-22 season as they recover from injuries.

We begin the mid-season review with a look at the NCAA Division I Men where Dan Fotu, Sam Waardenburg, Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Callum McRae are grabbing most the headlines.

5^th Year Seniors

Sam Waardenburg (University of Miami)

Sam Waardenburg, having missed all of last season due to a foot injury, has bounced back strongly starting all 12 games for the Hurricanes. Second on the team in assists per game (2.0apg) he leads the Hurricanes in 3-point shooting at 42% (11/26). Scored a season best 16 points against UCF. Recently became the 17^th New Zealander to score over 500 points in NCAA Division I Men’s basketball.

This season GP 12 GS 12 Points 89 Rebounds 45

Career GP 95 GS 47 Points 504 Rebounds 398

Seniors

Tobias Cameron (Abilene Christian University)

Tobias Cameron scored a career high 17 points against Incarnate Word in December. His shooting percentages this season read an impressive 59% field goals, 44%  and 85% from the free-throw line.

On track to play his 100^th game in February but yet to make a start for Abilene.

This season GP 11 GS 0 Points 64 Rebounds 37

Career: GP 88 GS 0 Points 214

Dan Fotu (St Mary’s College, California)

Second on the team in scoring Dan Fotu is averaging 10.4ppg. Scored a career high 22 points against Notre Dame in November.

With 670 career points sits 8th on the all-time list of NZ scorers in NCAA Division I Men’s basketball.

This season GP 14 GS 0 Points 146 Rebounds 57

Career GP 106 GS 47 Points 670

Harrison Young (Junior at Texas Christian University)

This season GP 2 GS 0 Points 0

Career GP 3 GS 0 Points 0

Juniors

Flynn Cameron (University of California, Riverside)

Flynn Cameron has started all 10 games and scored a season best 18 points against California Baptist. Second on the team in scoring (11.3ppg) shooting the 3-ball at a team best 44% (26/59).

This season GP 10 GS 10 Points 113 Rebounds 45

Career GP 71 GS 31 Points 384

Quinn Clinton (St Mary’s College, California)

Due to injury Quinn Clinton has been limited to one appearance this season.

This season GP 1 GS 0 Points 0

Career GP 45 GS 0 Points 103

Callum McRae (University of California, Riverside)

Callum McRae missed all of last season but has started all 10 games this season. Scored a season high 16 points against San Diego and season best 16 rebounds against Florida A&M. Leads the team in rebounds averaging 8.5rpg. 11^th on the NZ all-time list of points scorers in NCAA Division I Men’s basketball.

This season GP 10 GS 10 Points 84 Rebounds 85

Career GP 74 GS 50 Points 634 Rebounds 436

Angus McWilliam (University of California, Riverside)

Angus McWilliam is yet to take the court this season due to injury.

Career GP 53 GS 14 Points 236

Kruz Perrott-Hunt (Junior at University of South Dakota)

Kruz Perrott-Hunt scored a career best 25 points against Tennessee State in November. Leads the team in scoring (13.7ppg) and assists (2.2apg). 12-points shy of 400 career points.

This season GP 13 GS 13 Points 178 Rebounds 43

Career GP 60 GS 45 Points 388 

Sophomores

Sam Mennenga (Davidson College)

Sam Mennenga has started all but one of his 33 career games to date. Scored a season high 17 points against Penn and had 10 rebounds against Delaware.

This season GP 12 GS 12 Points 86 Rebounds 62

Career GP 33 GS 32 Points 212 Rebounds 166

James Moors (Sophomore at Colorado State University)

James Moors has the best field goal shooting percentage on the Colorado State team at 67% (18/27). Has recorded a season best 8 points on two occasions.

This season GP 10 GS 0 Points 36

Career GP 38 GS 21 Points 202 rebounds 112

Tom Webley (Sophomore at University of Hartford)

Tom Webley has had limited opportunities this season with 9 minutes the most court time he has seen in a single game.

This season GP 9 GS 2 Points 5

Career GP 21 GS 9 Points 69

Freshmen

Taine Murray (University of Virginia)

Taine Murray scored a season best 14 points against Iowa in late November.

This season GP 10  GS 0 Points 27

Mason Whittaker (American University)

Mason Whittaker scored his first collegiate points against Longwood in mid-November.

This season GP 4 GS 0 Points 3 Rebounds 4

Paora Winitana ( BYU)

A walk-on at BYU Paora Winitana is yet to make an appearance.

Akiva McBirney-Griffin, a Freshman at University of California Irvine is sitting out the 2021-22 season as he recovers from injury.

Ahead of a short festive season break for the NCAA Division I players Yuat Alok scored in double figures for the third time in the last five games as New Mexico State beat Texas Permian Basin. The senior forward scored 14 points on 6 from 9 shooting and at the defensive end downed 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal. New Mexico are an impressive 11-2 this season.

There were 4 points and 4 rebounds for Sam Mennenga as Davidson achieved a notable result knocking off #10 ranked Alabama 79-78 on Wednesday.

24 hours later Mennenga scored 8 points and added 6 boards as Davidson beat Johnson & Wales 106-64 for an eighth consecutive win.

Other Men’s Results:

St Mary’s 75 (Dan Fotu 2pts, 1reb) Missouri State 58

South Dakota 57 (Kruz Perrott-Hunt 8pts, 3rebs) Kansas City 68

Abilene Christian 74 (Tobias Cameron 5pts, 3 rebs, 2a) Longwood 58

In women’s Division I play #19 ranked BYU improved to 10-1 on the season by defeating Montana State 89-67.

Freshman Arielle Mackey-Williams made her highest score of the season making 9 points (4/5FG), Kaylee Smiler scored 5 points and Tegan Graham continued her good form with 10 points (3/6FG) and 4 assists. 

Other Women’s Results:

St Mary’s 55 (Tayla Dalton 7pts, 1reb, 1bl, 1stl/ Amy West 2pts, 6rebs, 1a) Cal Berkeley 73

Texas 70 (Kobe King-Hawea 3pts, 1reb) Princeton 53

A team high 21 points from Kruz Perrott-Hunt wasn’t enough to get South Dakota across the line as the Coyotes fell 82-73 to Oral Roberts in the opening game of the Summit League. The Tall Blacks guard shot 9 from 14 from the field including 3 of 4 from the 3-point arc. The Coyotes leading scorer now has 170 points this season at 14.2ppg. 

Another former North Harbour representative Sam Waardenburg posted 12 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists as Miami accounted for Stetson 82-72. Those 12 points carried Waardenburg past 500 career points – only the 16^th New Zealand man to have reached that mark in NCAA Division I hoops.

Tobias Cameron scored 11 points as Abilene Christian had its own way against Howard Payne winning 112-41. That’s the third double figure outing by the former Junior Tall Black in the 10 games Abilene have played this season.

Charlisse Leger-Walker continues to do the heavy lifting for Washington State University. The Cougars lost their second game in as many days defeated 69-62 by Stony Brook in a game that had 5 lead changes and 13 ties.

Once again Charlisse topped the Cougars scoring with 19 points to add to 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Krystal L-W chimed in with 9 points, and two’s in rebounds, steals and assists – Washington State will now enjoy a 12-day break before Pac 12 Conference play gets underway.

Emme Shearer and Amiee Book were in opposition as Fresno State Bulldogs entertained Portland Pilots. It was Shearer that departed the grinner as Portland won 67-50. The former Westlake Girls’ standout knocked down a pair of threes on her way to 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a block. Book also made a brace of threes and finished with 8 points and a block. 

Other scores:

St Peter’s New Jersey 65 (Victoria Ikenasio 4pts, 5rebs) Canisius 55

Georgia Southern 88 (Tsubasa Nisbett 2pts, 2 rebs, 1a) Bethune-Cookman 59

Wofford 64 (Helen Matthews 5pts, 5rebs, 4a) Northern Kentucky 84

Many Junior Colleges have begun the festive season break but there are still a few performances of note to report before the season gets back into full swing in early January.

Utah State Eastern, with Ella Bradley and Maclani Michael in the thick of the action, won an overtime game against Colorado Northwestern 98-88.

Bradley, the multiple NZ age-group championship winner, posted an impressive stat line of 16 points (4/5 3PG), 5 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 assists. Michael was also handy from deep making 3-6 triples to record 10 points.

Williston State suffered two defeats at the hands of Mesa College at the weekend. But that didn’t stop Keeley Tinipiling up the numbers. She recorded a double-double in both games averaging a colossal 17.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.5 steals across the two fixtures.

Keeley has 225 points and 142 rebounds to her name this season – she sits 22^nd on the Junior College Division I scoring list and 13^th on the rebounding table.

Parehuia Delamere (Western Texas) and Te Araroa Sopaga (Cloud County) both appear in the national Top-20 for steals with 3.0 and 2.9 per game respectively.

Dawson College guard Samantha Jenkins is not far behind Tini’s scoring tally with 200 points already to her name.

Western Nebraska finished the first half of the season with a 72-57 win against Laramie County. Taranaki’s Izzy Cookscored 7 points (3/3FG) for the 14-1 Cougars ranked #10 in the nation.

Te Aroha’s Dejaan Schuler scored 5 points as #17 Casper College slipped to a 57-44 loss against Salt Lake.

The Kiwis were a little subdued in #8 Southern Idaho’s 63-49 win against Southern Nevada. Kyra Paniora had 2 points, 3 rebounds and a steal while Ashlee Strawbridge also had a steal to accompany 3 rebounds.

Central Maine pulled away in the final minutes to beat Southern Maine 54-48.  Safena Te Nana-Williams added 8 points to 6 rebounds and a steal while sister Leata knocked down a couple of threes in her 7 points. Harata Coleman didn’t contribute points but did come up with 3 rebounds and a steal.

In men’s action Nico Hill scored 15 points and grabbed a team high 7 rebounds as Missouri State – West Plains defeated United Prep 95-94. Shooting the three-ball at a tidy 37% Hill is averaging 10.5ppg.

South Georgia Tech beat Chattahoochee Valley 69-60 with Nate Wilson contributing an active 3 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks and an assist.

The BYU against Washington State fixture threw up a meeting involving five Kiwis and also a rematch of sorts between contestants from the 2015 National Secondary Schools Grand Final in which St Peter’s School Cambridge beat Wellington Girls’ College.

Back in 2015 Tegan Graham was a leading figure on the Wellington College team that finished runners-up to Krystal and Charlisse Leger-Walker and the victorious St Peter’s team. 

In a spicy contest on Sunday (NZT) Graham exacted a degree of revenge for that defeat six years ago as BYU underlined their Top-20 ranking with a 71-53 win – the Wellingtonian posting an impressive 15 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, a block and a steal.

Despite being pinged with three first quarter fouls Charlisse Leger-Walker still played the leading hand for Washington State as she made 6 from 10 from beyond the arc for 21 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. That was a new career high in 3-pointers made.

Krystal Leger-Walker filled most of the stats columns with 5 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals for Washington State.

BYU welcomed back former Waikato teammate of the L-W sisters Kaylee Smiler. Despite being absent for the last month with a knee injury the whippy guard provided her usual defensive hustle finishing with 2 points, 2 rebounds and a steal.

BYU freshman Arielle Mackey-Williams entered the action for the final minute of the game.

It was one way traffic at Fresno State with the Bulldogs chewing up UC Merced 81-29. Amiee Book led the Bulldogs scoring with a game high, and season best, 18 points making 8 of her 10 shots.

Other Women’s Scores

Boise State 54 (Kaitlin Burgess 6pts, 2a, 1reb) Pepperdine 56

USC 77 (Tera Reed 4pts, 3rebs, 3a, 3 steals) Texas Southern 45

St Peter’s, New Jersey 68 (Victoria Ikenasio 2pts, 2rebs) Niagara 64

Wofford 49 (Helen Matthews 2pts, 1reb) Clemson 84

Georgia Southern 71 (Tsubasa Nisbett 2pts, 2rebs, 1a, 1stl, 1 block) Kennesaw State 72

Yuat Alok was in the scoring groove again as New Mexico State proved too good for state rivals Northern New Mexico winning 93-60.

Alok finished with 16 points (6/8FG, 3/4FT) as well as 5 rebounds – 4 of which were off the offensive glass.

Sam Mennenga scored just two points as Davidson College defeated Radford 74-54 but it did bring up the 200^th career point for the former Westlake forward. He also tallied 4 rebounds, an assist and a steal.

St Mary’s California 53 (Dan Fotu 2pts, 1reb) San Diego State 63

Kendell Heremaia piled on 18 points (6/11FG) as Fordham dominated Lafayette to win 71-36. That’s the 1,100-career points mark reached by Heremaia, going past former Tall Fern Jillian Harmon (1,096 points), and up to ninth on the all-time list of New Zealand Division I (Women) scorers.

Travelling cross-country from California to the east coast St Mary’s Gaels found it hard going against Number 2 ranked North Carolina State going down 101-73 against the Wolfpack. 

The Kiwi trio at St Mary’s stood up against the quality opposition – Jade Kirisome came up with a season high 17 points (7/11FG, 3/5 3PG), Tayla Dalton scored 9 points (4/8FG) and Amy West finished with 5 points and 6 rebounds.

The Gaels followed that with a game winning shot on the buzzer to pip Coastal Carolina 61-58; 11 points and 4 rebounds for Dalton in that one. 

Helen Matthews scored 9 points (plus 3 rebounds and an assist) as Wofford Terriers defeated Appalachian State 78-65.

Underlining his immense value to South Dakota Kruz Perrott-Hunt remained on court for the final 10 minutes against Bellarmine despite being on 4 fouls. Perrott-Hunt made 19 points (3/5 3PG, 8/8 FT), 7 rebounds and 4 assists as he led the Coyotes to a 78-64 victory in their last non-conference fixture.

Other Results (Men)

Davidson 79 (Sam Mennenga 4pts, 3rebs, 2a) Northeastern 69

Miami 72 (Sam Waardenburg (5rebs, 1a) Fordham 66

St Mary’s 76 (Dan Fotu 3pts, 7rebs, 1 block) Stanislaus 39

New Mexico State 64 (Yuat Alok 4pts, 1reb) Washington State 61

Other Results (Women)

USC 76 (Tera Reed 6pts (2/2 3PG), 4rebs, 4a, 1 steal) CSU Northridge 51

Portland 70 (Emme Shearer 4pts, 1 steal) Stephen F Austin 59

UC Irvine 74 (Olivia Williams 2pts, 2rebs, 2a) San Jose State 66

Keeley Tini threatened another double-double as Williston State eased past Dickinson State 75-54. The ex-Westlake standout secured 9 rebounds to go with 21 points making 8 from 14 from the field and 5 from 6 from the charity stripe. Tini is only 10 points shy of 200 points for the season. 

Samantha Jenkins is even closer to the 200 mark after she scored 12 points, and snaffled 5 steals, as Dawson College proved too good for Dickinson State winning 73-45. Jenkins is now on 194 points from 14 games – the leading Kiwi scorer in Division I Junior College Women’s basketball. 

Waiaaria Rogers put together her best scoring game of the season in Marshalltown’s 95-67 loss to North Iowa Area. The former Rangitoto College sharp-shooter dropped 4 from 7 from beyond the arc on her way to 14 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists.

Cloud College were outscored 23-13 in the final quarter and fell 71-58 at #14 Butler. 

Kay-Hauata Phillips was one of three Cloud players in double figures with 10 points to accompany 7 rebounds and 1-each if assists, blocks and steals.  Te Araroa Sopoaga (6pts/5rebs/5assists/1block/3steals) also filled the a box score line while Te Oriwa Tuipolotu had 2 points and a rebound.

Sopoaga, averaging 3 steals per game, is in the top 20 in the country for that statistical category as is Western Texas guard Parehuia Delamere.

Rashaan Smith scored 8 points as #10 Western Nebraska proved way too good for Central Wyoming winning 92-53 to move to 12-1 this season. Back from injury Izzy Cook scored 4 points and grabbed a brace of rebounds.

Also returning from injury was Briarley Rogers in Weatherford’s 75-61 loss to Midland. Briarley knocked down 2 of 3 three-pointers for 6 points in her first game back after five weeks on the sideline.

Co-captain Safena Te Nana-Williams had a game high 5 assists to go with 8 points and 2 steals as Central Maine beat Bryant and Stratton 78-75 despite being outscored 24-9 in the final quarter. Leta Te Nana-Williams and Harata Coleman chipped in with 3 and 2 points respectively.

22^nd ranked Casper College are on a six-game win streak after defeating Allen County 66-44. Dejaan Schuler came up with 6 points (2/2 3PG) for the T-Birds

Maclani Michael came up with 6 points and 5 rebounds as Utah State Eastern beat Southern Nevada 79-60.

Southern Idaho are now 11-1 after defeating Colorado Northwestern 82-58. Southern Idaho are ranked #9 – the highest placed team with Kiwi players. Kyra Paniora (4pts/5rebs/2 assists) and Ashlee Strawbridge(4pts/5rebs/2assists) both started for the Golden Eagles against Northwestern. 

It was tough going for Dodge City as they went down 78-45 to #25 ranked Hutchinson.

Jenna Rose Mafua will have taken heart from her 4 points, 5 assists and impressive 5 steals against highly ranked opposition

Rosie Campbell contributed 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 rebounds as Southeast beat Union 97-35.

In Men’s action Nico Hill came up with 9 points and 4 rebounds but Missouri State–West Plains went down 87-73 to Midland.

Nate Wilson was busy in South Georgia Tech’s narrow 84-78 loss to Florida Southwestern State. Nate came up with 9 rebounds, 3 points, a couple of rebounds and a block.