The Tall Ferns had a game to forget to conclude their programme at the Asia Cup in India on Saturday. The Kiwis went down 65-45 to Chinese Taipei in the 5th/6th play off game.
Japan won a third consecutive Asia Cup Final holding on to beat Australia 74-73.
The Tall Ferns put their collective foot down in the first quarter and it was plain sailing after that. 5th/6th play-off game tomorrow will round out the Kiwis Asia Cup campaign.
The Tall Ferns let slip a golden opportunity to not only advance to the Asia Cup semi-finals but also a place in the 2018 Fiba World Cup.
The Tall Ferns recorded a thrilling 59-53 come from behind victory against Chinese Taipei at the FIBA Asia Cup on Tuesday.
It was a little ugly at times but the Tall Ferns, on the back of a standout performance from Jillian Harmon, secured an important 71-50 Asia Cup victory over DPR of Korea in Bangalore on Monday.
Despite 14 points from forward Jillian Harmon China proved too good for the Tall Ferns in the Kiwis opening game at the FIBA Asia Cup in Bangalore.
The Tall Ferns are now in Bangalore ahead of their Asia Cup opener against China early on Monday morning.
What are their chances of a top four finish and a place in the 2018 Fiba World Cup
Sunday August 13th, 4.00pm at North Shore Events Centre is a date, time and place New Zealand Basketball fans should put in their diary.
It is not very often we get an American college team of the calibre of the University of California,Berkley visiting our shores. The Golden Bears, with Tall Fern Penina Davidson in their lineup, are playing just one game in New Zealand.
It is an opportunity not only to see Cal but also some of New Zealand’s most talented players including Tall Ferns Deena Franklin and Georgia Agnew (both Harbour Breeze), Charlisse Leger-Walker (Waikato Wizards), Connie Poletti (Canterbury Wildcats and Sariah Penese (Capital Flyers) in action.
Fine performance from Micaela Cocks
The Tall Ferns have finished tied for the best record at the William Jones Cup, following a 75-72 win over Japan on Sunday.
Their 4-1 record ties them with Japan, who were unbeaten coming in to tonight’s fixture.
“It was a truly competitive game, a game of good execution for both teams at both ends of the court,” head coach Kennedy Kereama said.
That comment is reflected in the stats, as the two sides couldn’t be separated at halftime at 37-37.
13 third quarter points for Micaela Cocks (she topped the Kiwi scoring during the tournament with 79 points in 5 games) helped the Tall Ferns take a hold of the match after the break though, as they pulled out to a nine point lead with a quarter to play.
It was no surprise to see Japan throw everything at them in the final stanza, but the Tall Ferns held firm to close out the three point victory.
“It’s always good to have really close games, because going into the World Cup Qualifiers (Asia Cup), that’s how we’re going to get better,” Cocks said.
Cocks had a standout game, shooting a game-high 27 points to go with five rebounds.
Her efforts were assisted by 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists for Antonia Edmondson, while Rebecca Ott was a force off the bench with a team high seven rebounds.
The win wraps up a strong William Jones Cup for the Tall Ferns, who continue to build towards the Asia Cup at the end of the month.
They’ll now head to Singapore for a series beginning 11 July, with Kereama happy with his side’s progress.
“Although we have a lot of experience, we have a lot of debutants as well, and we were very pleased with the performance of our veterans, as well as our younger players,” Kereama said.
“For us, it was a very successful tournament, but we’ll make some adjustments, and, of course, we’ve got lots of improvement to make.”
Tall Ferns 75 – Cocks 27/5r, Harmon 16/6r, Edmondson 13/7r, Ott 5/7r, Purcell 5/6r, Stockill 5, Agnew 4
Japan 72
The Tall Ferns have moved to 2-0 at the William Jones Cup, beating the Korea KB All Stars 58-40 in their second match of the tournament.
The Kiwis were led by a double-double from Antonia Edmondson and 12 rebounds from Kalani Purcell as they followed up yesterday’s 75-52 win over India with another strong showing.
“It was a good win and a big improvement on yesterday,” head coach Kennedy Kereama said.
“The team responded very well to our game plan and played four quarters of very good defence.”
Knowing the Korean side would pose a stern test, the Tall Ferns made a quick start, racing out to a 20-8 first quarter lead.
Korea bounced back by winning the second quarter, as the Tall Ferns went into halftime with a slim 26-24 lead.
Edmondson was just three rebounds short of a double-double by halftime, and it didn’t take long to complete the feat after the break, as the Tall Ferns out-rebounded their opposites 26-9 in the second spell to secure the victory.
“We had one patch where we were challenged on the offensive end where shots weren’t dropping, but we held our nerve and made great adjustments,” Kereama said.
“Antonia was a standout on offence but everyone made great contributions, and everyone was great defensively.”
Purcell added eight points and three assists to her game high 12 rebounds, while the Queensland based pair Micaela Cocks and Chevannah Paalvast contributed 9 points apiece. Josephine Stockill put in a solid showing off the bench, with six points, four rebounds and two blocks.
Once again, Kereama was able to ensure all eleven members of the playing squad saw court time in the win, as the team builds towards the all-important Asia Cup at the end of the month.
The Tall Ferns will meet the first of two China sides tonight, taking on China Blue at 10pm NZT.
Tall Ferns 58 – Edmondson 16/11r, Paalvast 9/4r, Cocks 9, Purcell 8/12r/3a, Harmon 6/4r, Stockill 6/4r, Ott 4
Korea KB All-Stars 40
LACEY LOWDOWN 