Category Archives: Kiwi’s Abroad

Jan 09 2017
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Ferns, Womens Basketball

Pro and college review of Tall Ferns in action

Basketball - Tall Ferns v Japan, 27 August 2009

Toni Edmondson

Perth Lynx put on a show to help Toni Edmondson celebrate her 200th WNBL game defeating Bendigo Spirit 108-67. Unfortunately for Edmondson she found herself in foul trouble and was limited to 5 points, 5 assists and a pair of rebounds in her 19 minutes of action.

Edmondson first played in the WNBL for the Christchurch Sirens ten years ago. She had stints with Adelaide, Bendigo and Dandenong before settling in Perth, playing 110 games for the franchise since signing in 2012.

Talking about the milestone Edmondson said, “I knew it was coming up I just didn’t know it was so soon. When you are start you don’t think you are going to be around that long – I generally take it season by season.”

 Micaela Cocks was one of five Townsville players in double figures on Friday night as the Fire demolished Canberra Capitals 93-60. The Tall Ferns guard finished with 14 points (5/9FG), 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Continue reading →

Jan 05 2017
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College Hoops, Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Ferns, Womens Basketball

Kiwi women in college – half term report

It is a bit of a challenge trying to keep tabs on the growing number of Kiwis playing in American college basketball. Here is a little summary of who is doing what in the Women’s teams with apologies in advance for those I have overlooked. Time permits to have a look only at players in NCAA Division 1 schools.

For convenience I have grouped the players by year groups.

Seniors 

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Kalani Purcell continues to impresses at BYU. The Tall Ferns forward is averaging almost a double double for the Cougars (12 points and 9.2 rebounds) as well as leading the team in steals. The Cougars were West Coast Conference regular season champions last year and have begun with a win and a loss in defence of that title. Purcell had 18 double doubles last season the most by a BYU player in a season – she has 6 already this season.

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Playing in the Big Sky Conference is former Freyberg High guard Freya Newton. She has started all 13 games for Idaho State Bengals that are currently 8-5 for the season. Newton is contributing a very useful 5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2 assists per game. Unfortunately she is not getting to play alongside Brooke Blair as her fellow senior went down with an ACL injury in the opening game of the season. Blair is now red shirting this season. Continue reading →

Jan 03 2017
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Blacks

Big Ten weekly honour for Webster

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Tai Webster was named Big Ten Conference Co-Player of the Week following the Nebraska Huskers’ road wins over No 16 Indiana and Maryland in the past week. The award caps off a fine week for both Webster and the Huskers.

Webster averaged 19.5 points on 52 percent shooting, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals across the two games as the Huskers opened conference play 2-0 for the first time since 2005-06 with both wins coming on the road.

Webster fuelled the Huskers’ comeback at Maryland on New Years Day, scoring the last seven points of the game including the go-ahead basket with 31.2 seconds left, as Nebraska scored the final 14 points in a 67-65 win.

Webster finished with 18 points and five assists, in handing Maryland only their second Big Ten home loss in three seasons.

The Tall Blacks guard picked up his sixth 20-point game of the season at No. 16 Indiana on Wednesday, finishing with 21 points, five rebounds and four steals, as Nebraska snapped the Hoosiers’ 26-game home win streak.

Webster shared the player of the week award with Minnesota’s Nate Mason, who had 31 points in the Gophers’ win at Purdue on Sunday.

Webster has made double figure scores in all 14 of the Nebraska’s games this season leading the scoring with 243 points at 17.4 per game. He also leads the assists category – 3.9 per outing – and is second in steals (1.4pg) and third in rebounding (4.8pg).

Jan 02 2017
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

Webster and Davidson continue good form

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It was a tale of agony and ecstasy on New Years Day for a couple of Kiwi’s involved in thrilling college basketball games.

Starting with the ecstasy Nebraska Huskers shocked No 16 Indiana, snapping its 26 game home winning streak, on Wednesday and rallied past Maryland, which entered the game 13-1 on the opening day of 2017.

Led by 18 points from Tai Webster, his 15th consecutive double digit game, the Huskers recorded a 67-65 come from behind victory at Maryland and improved to 2-0 in Big Ten Conference play.

The Huskers were as many as 13 points behind in the second half and still trailed by nine with four minutes to play.

Nebraska ate further into the Maryland advantage before Webster took charge in the final three minutes scoring the last 7 points of the game to seal a dramatic win.

“I think just having belief in ourselves and our team. We wanted to play better in moments like this obviously after not having the start of the season we wanted. So to be in this position now is big to have our guys come through and step up and make plays,” said Webster referring to the 14-0 run that stole the win.

For the record the Tall Blacks guard also had 5 assists, 2 steals and a couple of rebounds.

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It was mixed emotions for Penina Davidson as the University of California Berkley Bears unbeaten start to the season came to an end in an epic 72-62 double overtime defeat at Arizona State.Cal had entered the game with a 13-0 record for the season – 1-0 in Pac 12 Conference play.

Despite the loss, on a personal note it was a night to remember for the Rangitoto College alumni. Davidson scored a career high 19 points (8/16FG, 3/5 3PG) – the Tall Ferns forward added stuffing to the stats line with 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.

Like Webster, Davidson is in good form at present having posted a massive double double, her first for the No 21 ranked Bears, of 12 points and 14 rebounds in her previous outing.

Jan 01 2017
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

Plenty of Kiwis were in action on New Years Eve

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Kalani Purcell

A bunch of Tall Ferns and Tall Blacks played on New Year’s Eve – see the round up of the action below.

None were more impressive than Kalani Purcell. The Tall Ferns forward threatened triple double territory as she strung together the impressive stats line of 13 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists and 5 steals as BYU Cougars beat Loyola Marymount 76-59. The win improves BYU to 1-1 in West Coast Conference action.

Also 1-1 in the WCC are St Mary’s Gaels after going down 73-71 at San Diego. Stella Beck followed up her 18 points outing last week with 14 points in this one making 7 of 10 from the field in a game that featured 16 lead changes.

Katelin Noyer was big for Fresno State, her 12 points (6/9FG) key in helping the Bulldogs eke out a 71-70 win at Nevada. Fresno are now 1-1 in Mountain West Conference play.

Krystal Leger-Walker had a relatively quiet night as Northern Colorado Bears improved to 2-0 in Big Sky Conference action. The Waikato guard had just the one basket plus 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals as the Bears mauled Portland State 91-62.

California State Northridge Matadors wrapped up non-conference action with an extremely low scoring encounter against Penn going down 47-36. Tessa Boagni, like her teammates struggled offensively with just 6 points but 2 blocks and 8 rebounds helped the Matadors stay in the contest.

Jack Salt had a team high 7 rebounds for Virginia Cavaliers but they were upset at home by Florida State going down 60-58 – just the second loss in the last 37 Atlantic Coast Conference games for the Cavs!

There was also a close home loss for Izayah Le’Afa as Sacramento State Hornets were beaten 90-82 in overtime by North Dakota. Le’afa had 7 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists as the Hornets slipped to 0-2 in Big Sky Conference play.

In Australia

 There was more New Year cheer across the Tasman. Micaela Cocks scored a season high 17 points (3/6 3PG) as Townsville Fire doused Melbourne Boomers 88-75 to improve to 9-7 after a fourth straight win.

Chevannah Paalvast also scored a couple of points in 13 minutes off the bench for Townsville and Jess Bygate snared three rebounds for Melbourne in the defeat.

Staying in the Sunshine State Reuben Te Rangi and the Brisbane Bullets beat Cairns Taipans 93-76 in the Queensland derby. Te Rangi only scored 6 points (2/2FG) but he put in a sterling shift as he was forced to play substantial minutes in the power forward spot covering for the injured duo of Cameron Bairstow and Anthony Petrie.

Jarrod Kenny was all poise and composure as Perth Wildcats secured a vital away win in Wollongong, beating Illawarra Hawks 95-87. Kenny had 8 points, 2 rebounds and a team high 6 assists for the Wildcats as they upset the in form Hawks.

In Europe

Mike Karena enjoyed an exceptional night amassing 19 points (8/13FG) and 7 rebounds as Sammic ISB edged Alcazar 75-73 in Spanish Liga Endesa Silver action. Sammic are up to third on the ladder with a 10-5 record.

Karena, the Canterbury Rams forward, is enjoying a fine campaign averaging 12 points and 6 rebounds at the halfway mark of his first season in Europe.

Dec 31 2016
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Ferns

W’s for Davidson, Boagni and Beck to see out 2016

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Stella Beck

Like the Tall Blacks in college the USA based Tall Ferns have begun conference play and it’s been a tale of mixed fortunes in the opening round.

Penina Davidson and University of California Bears began Pac-12 action with a bang. Davidson had a career high 14 rebounds, including 8 off the offensive glass, as Cal won 74-64 at Arizona for a 13th straight win. The former Rangitoto College forward also landed 12 points and muscled 2 blocks.

Also quick out the blocks were St Mary’s Gaels as they got their West Coast Conference programme off to the best possible start. Stella Beck was a huge contributor scoring a game high 18 points at a very accomplished 75% (6 from 8) from the field as the Gaels beat Loyola Marymount 74-59.

Also in the West Coast Conference Kalani Purcell hoovered up a game high 15 rebounds but Brigham Young Cougars were run down at Santa Clara 64-63. BYU led most the game but could only manage 10 points in the final frame. Purcell, who played all 40 minutes, also had 15 points but will be disappointed to have given up 9 turnovers.

Shalae Salmon had her best game of the season for BYU nabbing 10 points (5/7FG), 3 boards, 2 assists, 2 blocks and a steal.

Mate v Mate

 In a non-conference game Tessa Boagni and Jacinta Beckley found themselves in opposition as Beckley’s Seattle University Redhawks entertained Cal State Northridge Matadors on Friday. Both players had double figure outings with Boagni recording a double double of 15 points and 11 rebounds (plus 3 blocks) and Beckley snaring 5 steals to go with a career high 16 points.

The pair were prominent in the closing minutes – Beckley landed a three to tie the game up, 61 apiece, with 70 seconds to play. However Boagni bookended that effort with a pair of crucial blocks and also landed a late free throw as Cal State edged home 68-64.

In Australia

 Toni Edmondson celebrated her 200th WNBL game in Perth but it wasn’t a night to remember for the Cantabrian, as the Lynx were outclassed 93-69 by Sydney Flames. Edmondson claimed 3 rebounds and 3 steals to go with 4 points as Perth remain 4th on the ladder with a 9-6 record.

 

It has been a struggle all season for Adelaide Lighting as they prop up the WNBL with a 0-15 record. The latest loss was against Sydney University Flames going down 89-72 on Thursday. Jordan Hunter did have the satisfaction of earning a starting spot in the Flames line-up and responded with a season high 9 points (4/8FG) to go with 4 assists and 2 steals.

Dec 30 2016
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Blacks

Season high for Izayah Le’Afa and Tai Webster keeps rolling

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The interesting stage of the American college season has arrived with teams embarking on conference schedules.

No 12 ranked Virginia Cavaliers opened Atlantic Coast Conference play with an upset 61-53 win at No 6 Louisville on Thursday. Centre Jack Salt only scored two points but he did snare a game high 7 rebounds in the victory.

Also upsetting higher seeded opposition on enemy territory were Tai Webster and Nebraska. The Huskers won 87-83 at Indiana to open their Big Ten Conference campaign in style with the Tall Blacks point guard scoring 21 points. He also came up with 4 steals a brace of assists and 4 rebounds. What made the win even more meritorious was the fact that Indiana had won 26 straight home games leading into Thursday’s encounter.

Incidentally that is fourteen straight double-digit scoring performances from Webster, one of only two seniors on a very young Huskers team.

Freshman Tai Wynyard has found it difficult to gain quality court time at powerhouse Kentucky Wildcats averaging just three minutes an outing in the 8 appearances he has made in the current campaign. The Wildcats swept aside University of Mississippi Rebels 99-76 on Friday with Wynyard required for just 2 minutes and not troubling the scorers.

Fellow Freshman Izayah Le’Afa had managed eight starts at Sacramento State Hornets but the point guard had struggled to get his shooting game going in the early part of the season. Le’Afa had connected with only 4 of 21 three-point attempts and an overall 7 from 33 from the field.

That changed a little on Friday, the former St Pat’s College standout recording a season high 10 points in the opening Big Sky Conference game. Unfortunately the Hornets went down at home to Northern Colorado 69-53 but Le’Afa will be encouraged after connecting with 2 from 5 triples on 4 from 7 shooting overall.

It isn’t good news from Spain where Zaragoza suffered a disappointing loss at lowly Joventut, going down 84-80, and slipping into the bottom half of the Liga Endesa table with a 5-8 record. Isaac Fotu managed 8 points (4/6FG) and 4 rebounds in the defeat.

Other News

 Junior Tall Black Quinn Clinton has committed to the University of New Mexico for the next four years. The Canterbury shooting guard joins the Lobos after helping the JTB’s advance to the 2017 FIBA U19 World Championships following their victory over Australia at the Oceania Championships.

Clinton follows in the footsteps of fellow JTB’s Sam Waardenburg (University of Miami) and Takki Fahrensohn (University of Portland) in committing to an American college programme. Others from the team, including guards Tobias Cameron and Isaac Letoa, are likely to follow suit in the near future.

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Quinn Clinton

Dec 23 2016
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

No rest ahead of Xmas

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Penina Davidson

Xmas may be looming but it has been business as usual for many of the Tall Ferns and Tall Blacks in college and Europe this week.

Penina Davidson has been by far the busiest with the University of California Berkley Golden Bears playing three games in as many days at a tournament in Las Vegas.

No problems with the schedule for the Bears winning three from three to extend their unbeaten run this season to 12 games. Cal recorded victories against Southern Mississippi 71-51, Oklahoma 82-74 and Arkansas State 80-55. Starting forward Davidson averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds across the three games.

Kalani Purcell produced her fourth double double of the season, as BYU was downed 82-70 by No 9 University of Washington on Thursday. The Tall Ferns swingman scored 16 points to go along with 10 rebounds.

New Zealand Select international Shalae Salmon is gathering more court time for BYU in her freshman season. The Wellington forward played 12 minutes in this one collecting 4 points and 2 rebounds.

5 points (2/2FG) and 5 rebounds from Jack Salt helped Virginia Cavaliers hold off the University of California, Berkley 56-52 on Thursday. The Cavs now ranked No 12 open Atlantic Coast Conference play next week at No 10 Louisville.

For the 13th straight game Tai Webster was in double figures as Nebraska Huskers concluded non-conference action with an 81-76 victory against Southern. The former Westlaker had 10 points, 5 rebounds and a game high 5 assists as Nebraska improved to 7-6 for the season.

Mate v Mate

Cal State Northridge Matadors snapped a 10 game losing streak in the series against St Mary’s Gaels winning 73-61. Tessa Boagni added 7 rebounds and 3 steals to 5 points as the Matadors improved to 6-5 with a hard fought 73-61 win. Stella Beck led the Gaels scoring effort with 15 points and also dished 4 assists in their last non-conference game of the season.

This was a pleasing return for Boagni, the Cantabrian centre having missed a couple of games due to concussion.

In Europe

 Jillian Harmon helped Le Mura Lucca improve to 11-1 at the top of the Italian League. The power forward scored 16 points (8/16FG) and garnered 7 rebounds and 4 steals as Lucca comfortably beat Vigarano 75-52 ahead of a two weeks break over the holiday period.

Mike Karena with 10 points and 6 rebounds helped Sammic ISB climb to third equal spot on the Spanish Liga Endesa Silver Standings with a 75-67 win against Avia. Both teams have a 9-5 record.

Dec 20 2016
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Ferns

Electric Edmondson heads Tall Ferns overseas performances

Basketball - Tall Ferns v Japan, 27 August 2009

Toni Edmondson

An outstanding shooting performance in the Australian WNBL headlines this week’s efforts by Tall Ferns overseas.

Toni Edmondson put on a shooting clinic converting 6 from 7 three points attempts as she amassed 24 points for Perth Lynx on Sunday – 22 points coming in a five minutes spell either side of the three-quarter time mark!

For the record Perth beat bottom placed Adelaide Lightning 102-52. Edmondson remarked, “It’s definitely been a while since I felt like that.” Unfortunately most of us never get to experience the feeling Edmondson was referring to.

Also in the WNBL Melbourne Boomers wound up their pre Xmas programme with a welcome 70-50 win against Canberra Capitals. Jess Bygate shot a perfect 4 from 4 for the Boomers and also corralled 5 rebounds.

In Europe Jillian Harmon continues to light up the Italian league. The power forward accrued 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists as Le Mura Lucca remained top of the table after defeating San Martino 76-61. Oh and she had the small matter of 5 steals as an aside!

 Despite a poor shooting night (1/7FG) Kalani Purcell was still able to make a major contribution to BYU Provo Cougars 60-40 success at Utah State. The Tall Ferns forward only scored three points but did contribute a team high 8 rebounds and 5 assists as the Cougars improve to 6-4 for the season.

Mate v Mate

Chevannah Paalvast and Micaela Cocks will head into the festive season a little happier than Jordan Hunter after Townsville Fire improved to 8-7 in the WNBL following a 74-68 road win against Adelaide Lightning. The Lightning bolted to an early 22-16 lead but were doused (35-25) in the second half.

Hunter failed to score but was productive in other areas in her 33 minutes collecting 3 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal. For the Fire Paalvast had 3 points plus a pair of rebounds and assists whilst Cocks dished 2 assists to accompany 4 points and 6 rebounds.

It is also bragging rights for Stella Beck over Krystal Leger-Walker as St Mary’s Gaels defeated Northern Colorado Bears 75-65 on Saturday. Beck, a former Hutt Valley player is having a fine season and almost recorded a double double as she registered 14 points and 9 rebounds. Leger Walker made 6 points for the Bears.

Dec 12 2016
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Ferns

Tall Ferns continue to shine overseas

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Kalani Purcell

Kalani Purcell put in another powerful double shift as Brigham Young Cougars had a win and a loss last week. Purcell put together her third double double (11pts/11rebounds) of the campaign as BYU beat Weber State 73-64 on Thursday. Three days later Purcell played the full 40 minutes as BYU fell 65-56 to Utah. The Tall Ferns swingman had a small matter of 5 steals to go with 15 points and 5 rebounds in that one.

The University of California, Berkley has made a best ever 9-0 start to the season and Penina Davidson has been in the thick of the action. The Tall Fern centre put together a fine 16 points (6/9FG) and 8 rebounds performance as the Bears beat Lehigh 96-63.

 Stella Beck scored 12 points and added 6 rebounds but St Mary’s Gaels were beaten on the buzzer 68-66 by UC Davis. The Gaels have a 4-5 record but three of the five losses have been by 5 points or less.

Krystal Leger-Walker contributed 10 points as Northern Colorado Bears flew past Air Force 71-44 to improve their record to 6-2.

In Australia

Despite a team high 14 points from Toni Edmondson Perth Lynx slipped to a surprise 92-71 heavy defeat against Dandenong in the Australian WNBL. The loss pushes Pert back to third on the ladder with an 8-5 record.

Townsville Fire got back to winning ways with a comfortable 93-66 home win against Melbourne Boomers on Saturday. Chev Paalvast scored a couple points for the Fire and Micaela Cocks 7 points. Townsville are now 7 wins, 7 losses for the season.

In Europe

 Jillian Harmon scored 11 points as Le Murra Lucca (8-1) remained top of the Italian League. Lucca defeated Umbertide 58-38 on the road to continue their successful start to the season.

Other News

Tessa Boagni has missed the last couple of Cal State Northridge games with concussion but hopes to suit up against Stella Beck and St Mary’s next Monday.

The Junior Tall Ferns were disappointing in the gold medal game at the FIBA Oceania Champs going down 107-52 against Australia. Virginia Commonwealth University bound Akiene Reed had the consolation of being named in the All Star Five.

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