Category Archives: Tall Blacks

Apr 05 2017
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

Mixed fortunes in Spain for Fotu and Karena plus Rooney into semi-finals

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With Tom Abercrombie and Jillian Harmon inactive only three Kiwis were in action last weekend in Europe.

Erin Rooney and Artego Bydgoszcz are locked at 1-1 with Wisla Can in the Polish League semi-final play-off series. Artego won the first game 68-65 on Saturday but were beaten 81-66 in the second encounter on Sunday. Rooney played just 5 minutes on Saturday but was reinstated to a starting role 24 hours later and contributed 7 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

The other Tall Fern in Europe Jillian Harmon enjoyed a weekend off. Her club Le Mura Lucca had a break ahead of an Italian League quarter-final series against Pallacanestro Broni.

Zaragoza is now in last but one spot on the Spanish League ladder after falling 65-54 at Iberostar Tenerife. Tall Blacks forward Isaac Fotu scored 7 points and claimed 5 rebounds in the not unexpected result – Tenerife are top of the table. It doesn’t get any easier for Zaragoza next week visiting powerhouse FC Barcelona.

Sammic ISB improved to 21-6 at the top of the Spanish LEB Silver League table with a comprehensive 94-65 victory against the deliciously named Torrons Vicens L’Hospitalet on Saturday.

Mike Karena helped ensure Sammic were not the casualties of an upset by claiming 14 points and 7 rebounds in this one. Sammic face a tougher task next week against third placed Granada.

In Turkey Tom Abercrombie missed Demir IBB breaking a ten game losing streak against Ted Kolejliler Ankara. Demir beat the bottom of the table TKA 96-73.

 

Mar 29 2017
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

Rooney in a tussle, Fotu and Abbo in sticky situations.

Tom Abercrombie and Isaac Fotu are fighting rearguard actions in Europe but it is better news for Erin Rooney, Jillian Harmon and Mike Karena.

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Erin Rooney and Artego Bydgoszcz are locked at 2-2 in a five game dual in the Polish League quarter-final play-off series – Artego beat Energa Torun 61-60 in an exciting game three. Rooney played a steady hand scoring 7 points on 3 from 5 shooting in 26 minutes.

Torun bounced back in game four on Sunday to win 65-55 – Rooney had a quiet night in that one getting just 3 rebounds and a steal.

Le Mura Lucca relinquished top spot on the Italian League ladder in the very last game of the regular season going down 70-65 at fourth placed San Martino on Sunday. Jillian Harmon was busy with 18 points, 4 rebounds and a brace of steals but Lucca’s opening quarter of just 5 points proved to be their undoing.

Lucca will now face the winner of the Ubertide v Broni tie at home in the quarter-finals.

Zaragoza are having a tough time in the lower reaches of the Spanish League but a home loss by 45 points must be the low point of the season. Defeated 102-57 by sixth placed Gran Canaria, Zaragoza slipped one place to 15th on the 17 team Liga Endesa table. Tall Blacks forward Isaac Fotu was used sparingly scoring just 6 points in 18 minutes of action.

Mike Karena stacked the stats sheet with 14 points (4/11FG), 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals as Sammic ISB beat Valladolid 88-84 to remain at the top of the LEB Silver league table – the Spanish third division. Sammic appeared to be cruising at the three-quarter mark leading 77-61 but were given a scare by their mid table rivals in the fourth period before securing a sixth straight win

In Turkey it’s now 10 straight defeats for Demir IBB and Tom Abercrombie has been involved in half of the losses since arriving in Istanbul. At the weekend Abercrombie managed 9 points (3/6FG) and 3 rebounds as Demir fell 84-67 to third placed Besiktas.

Mar 27 2017
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Blacks

Tall Ferns shine in Oz

A number of Australian State competitions are underway and some of the 2016 Tall Ferns are already making a mark.

Toni Edmondson, fresh from a fine Australian WNBL season with Perth Lynx, put a dominating 19 points performance together as Perry Lakes Hawks beat Kalamunda Eastern Suns 84-59 in the second week of the Western Australian State League. Edmondson added 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals for good measure.

Basketball - Tall Ferns v Japan, 27 August 2009

Also in Perth forward Lisa Wallbutton went scoreless for Perth Redbacks but she did secure a team high 12 rebounds. Unfortunately the Redbacks fell 69-58 to Southwest Slammers.

Over in Melbourne Jess Bygate scored 14 points on debut for Sandringham Sabres in their 66-60 SEABL first round win against Canberra Capitals. Bygate also snared 5 rebounds for the Sabres.

Sunbury Jets made it three from three in the Victorian Big V League with an 89-72 home win against Ringwood Hawks. Tall Ferns coach Kennedy Kereama is in his second season with the Jets and he is yet to lose a game after Sunbury went unbeaten last season when gaining promotion from Division 1 to the Championship.

Former Colgate University stand-out Josie Stockill was in fine form for the Jets scoring 25 points (8/17FG) in addition to securing 9 rebounds and dishing a couple of assists. 2016 New Zealand Select point guard Shea Crotty scored three points for Sunbury knocking down her only shot of the game – a typical arching three.

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Josie Stockill

Jordan Hunter, based in Adelaide, is expected to make her debut for Sturt Sabres when they begin their season next weekend.

Mar 22 2017
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

A mixed bag in Europe this week

Despite a change of coach a couple of games ago Zaragoza, with another loss, are flirting with the Liga Endesa relegation zone after a 100-92 loss at Andorra. Former Rangitoto College favourite Isaac Fotu finished the game with 10 points (5/8FG) and 5 rebounds. Zaragoza now has an 8-16 record, just one win above the drop zone.

In contrast Mike Karena and Sammic ISB are flying high. Sammic head the LEB Silver ladder, the Spanish third division, with a 19-6 record. Karena put together another strong performance nabbing 21 points (8/12FG) and 6 rebounds in the latest Sammic success – an 89-82 win against mid-table Zornotza.

In Turkey Thomas Abercrombie’s club Demir IBB continue to struggle slipping to a ninth straight league defeat. Up against defending champions Fenerbache in Istanbul Demir was well beaten 89-68.

In his fourth game for Demir Abercrombie scored 7 points (3/8FG) and also totaled 3 rebounds and a block.

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Erin Rooney scored 9 points for Artego Bydgoszcz in Polish League quarter-finals play-off action. Artego went down 75-61 at Energa Torun in the first game in the best of three tie on Saturday.

48 hours later Artego leveled the series with a nail biting 68-67 victory in game two. Rooney enjoyed 30 minutes of court time in that one producing 5 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal.

The deciding game is on Saturday.

In Italy top of the table Le Mura Lucca thumped Umbertide 87-46 to improve to 18-3 for the season. Starting forward Jillian Harmon was only required for 18 minutes but still scored 17 points on 8 from 9 shooting. Harmon has amassed 352 points this season averaging 17.6 points per game.

Mar 19 2017
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College Hoops, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

Salt best not enough but Wynyard, Davidson and Goulding winners

After beating North Carolina Wilmington in the first round at the NCAA Tournament Virginia was held to a season-low 17 points in the first half and 30.2 percent shooting on the night as the Cavaliers went down 65-39 to Florida. The turning point came late in the first half,when Florida started a 21-0 run that was their most lopsided of the season.

Jack Salt was one of the better performers for Virginia securing a collegiate career high 10 rebounds whilst also scoring 8 points.

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Also exiting was Sam Waardenburg and the Miami Hurricanes beaten in the first round by Michigan State. Waardenburg, a redshirt freshman, will hope Miami can return to the Big Dance next season when he will be eligible to play.

The Kentucky Wildcats beat state rivals Northern Kentucky 79-70 in the first round but Tai Wynyard didn’t take the floor.

Also in the winner’s circle was the University of California Berkeley who defeated Louisiana State University 55-52 in the first round of the Women’s Tournament. Cal’s starting forward Penina Davidson scored with her only shot and also collected 3 rebounds in the win.

Sunday’s victory marked the seventh straight time the Golden Bears have won at least their first-round game in the NCAA Tournament. They will play top seed Baylor in the second round, for the second time in three years, on Tuesday (NZ time).

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Also worthy of mention is the performance of Mary Goulding who played a big part in Fordham University Rams overcoming Georgetown, 60-49 in the first round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.

The Cantabrian forward posted a career-best 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting with 10 rebounds, five on the offensive glass, in 37 minutes and also added three assists.

Fordham next face Penn State on Monday.

Mar 18 2017
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College Hoops, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

8 x 3 = Zero at WNIT

Eight was the unlucky number for the three Tall Ferns involved in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) on Friday (NZ time). All three registered 8 points but all three, and their respective teams, exited the tournament in the first round.

 Jacinta Beckley was playing her first game since she fractured her hand in early February but was unable to prevent the Seattle Redhawks going down to Wyoming 68-52. Seattle only trailed by 4 points at the half, 28-24 but was comfortably outscored in the final two periods.

Brigham Young Cougars (BYU) gave up 29 turnovers against Washington State, as they were downed 72-64. BYU scored from nine of their opening ten shots but it went downhill from there for the hosts. Kalani Purcell added 8 rebounds and 9 assists to her 8 points.

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St Mary’s Gaels visited Colorado State and were beaten 80-68 in overtime after giving up a double-digit advantage in the fourth quarter. The scores were tied at 62 each in regulation before Colorado dominated the additional five minutes. Stella Beck snared 4 rebounds in addition to her 8 points.

It was better news at the Big Dance.

The Virginia Cavaliers came from behind to beat University of North Carolina Wilmington at the NCAA Tournament in Orlando, Florida on Friday.

Progressing past the first round for the fourth straight time at the Big Dance, Virginia had to come back from as many as 15 points in arrears before eventually claiming a 76-71 victory.

Jack Salt scored with his only field goal attempt, a two handed dunk, finishing with three points, 3 rebounds and a block.

Mar 16 2017
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

Fotu and Karena gain in Spain

Zaragoza broke a three game losing streak with a thumping 85-59 victory against Obradoiro on Sunday. Power forward Isaac Fotu finished the game with 10 points (4/7FG), 8 rebounds an assist, a block and a steal. The win lifts Zaragoza to 12th on the 17 team Spanish League ladder with an 8 win, 15 loss record.

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Also in Spain Mike Karena led all scorers with 18 points (7/11FG, 4/5FT) as Sammic ISB maintained top spot on the LEB Silver ladder, the Spanish third division, with a 63-52 win 83-75 against fourth placed Lucentum. The 2016 Tall Black also added a handy 7 rebound.

It wasn’t a good weekend in Turkey for Thomas Abercrombie and his club Demir IBB.

Abercrombie failed to score from five attempts for Demir who were pummeled 79-52 by Anadolu Efes. Perhaps a predictable result when 14th plays second although Demir was at home.

Neither Erin Rooney, playing in Poland for Artego Bydgoszcz or Jillian Harmon playing in Italy for top of the table Le Mura Lucca were in action last weekend.

Mar 15 2017
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College Hoops, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

Beck, Purcell and Beckley headed for WNIT

In addition to the four Kiwis, Penina Davidson, Jack Salt, Tai Wynyard and Sam Waardenburg, participating in ‘The Big Dance’ three Tall Ferns will be playing in the 2017 Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). The tournament, once more prestigious than NCAA Division 1 tournament is competed for at the same time.

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Jacinta Beckley (University of Seattle Redhawks)

Disappointingly Beckley fractured her hand in a game in early February and has been unable to suit up for Seattle in Western Athletic Conference games since. Beckley has had a strong season for Seattle, the fourth highest scorer on the team has averaged 8.0 points per game. She hopes to be fit for the opening round of the WNIT when the Redhawks visit Wyoming.

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Stella Beck (St Mary’s University Gaels)

After losing to Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference final last week Saint Mary’s will make its eighth straight postseason appearance beginning Friday as the Gaels travel to Colorado State for a first round matchup.

Beck in her penultimate year at St Mary’s has had an outstanding season and was named in the 2017 All- Academic West Coast Conference first team.

Beck leads Saint Mary’s in scoring at 13.2 points per game, posting double-figure scoring in 23 of 30 games played. She also leads the team in assists (3.2 per game) and steals (1.6 per game).

The Gaels (20-12) won 20 games for the sixth consecutive year in 2016-17 while finishing among the top-three in the West Coast Conference for the fourth time in the last five years.

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Kalani Purcell (Brigham Young University Provos Cougars)

Purcell is about to bring the curtain down on an outstanding two-year career at BYU.

She has racked up a colossal 16 double doubles this season in 31 games.

The power forward is averaging a double double with 12.9 points and a team- and league -high 10.6 boards per game. She also leads the Gaels in assists (4.9 per game) and blocks (1.3 per game).

Purcell was named this year’s West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and picked up her second-straight WCC Women’s Basketball All-First Team honour.

The BYU Cougars (20-11) will host the Cougars of Washington State on Friday.

Mar 14 2017
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College Hoops, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

Four Kiwis headed for The Big Dance

Four Kiwis will be lining up at the men’s and women’s NCAA Division 1 tournaments that begin this week.

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Jack Salt (University of Virginia Cavaliers).

Salt has had a solid season for the 22-10 Cavaliers starting in all 32 games.

His 3.6 points per game and 3.9 rebounds don’t do justice to his value to the Cav’s where his 6’11” frame provides a significant inside presence for coach Tony Bennett’s Atlantic Coast outfit.

Virginia is drawn to play UNC Wilmington in the first round on Friday (NZ time).

 

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Penina Davidson (University of California Berkeley Golden Bears)

Davidson is making her second appearance at the tournament being one of three Bears to have represented Cal when they last appeared in the tournament in 2015. The 19-13 Bears will face LSU in the first round in Waco, Texas on Sunday (NZ time).

The Tall Ferns forward has averaged 6.8 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game in her 31 appearances this season. She scored a season high 19 points against Arizona State on New Years Day.

 

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Tai Wynyard (University of Kentucky Wildcats)

 Kentucky (29-5) is on an 11 game winning streak entering a record extending 56th appearance at the NCAA Tournament. The Southeastern Conference champions have been paired with Northern Kentucky in the opening round in the South Region.

Wynyard has been a bit part player in his first year with the Wildcats logging just 54 minutes in 15 games.

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Sam Waardenburg (University of Miami Hurricanes)

The Hurricanes (21-11) face Michigan State in the first round hoping to improve on their 2-1 record in the 2016 tournament.

Waardenburg, a redshirt freshman, is ineligible to play this season so will be restricted to towel waving supportive duty during the tournament. It is to be hoped he can perform that duty with the same vigour shown by Oklahoma Sooners redshirt freshman Matt Freeman last year.

Mar 13 2017
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College Hoops, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

Wynyard and Salt headed for the ‘Big Dance’

 

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Tai Wynyard courtesy of Kentucky Wildcats winning their conference and Jack Salt’s Virginia Cavaliers receiving an invitation look to be the only Kiwis heading into the 2017 NCAA Tournament beginning later this week.

For a full roundup of the conference tournaments played last week visit the BBNZ website

http://bit.ly/2njFB9Q

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