Impressive 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 blocks by Josie Stockill
It was a good week for Tall Ferns overseas with a major milestone for Micaela Cocks, bragging rights for Stella Beck and an outstanding opening day performance from Josie Stockill Continue reading
37 points from Zara Jillings including 6 threes
The Waikato sisters Charlisse and Krystal Leger-Walker debuted for opposing teams in the third round of the Mexicali Fresh Summer Jam. Continue reading
26 points from Megan Craig for the Sparks
The second round of the inaugural Mexicali Fresh Summer Jam Women’s competition began with The Suns winning their second consecutive game defeating team Sky 69-59.
Tiarna Clarke made the first three baskets for the Suns but Ayla Hoeta and Deena Franklin restored the balance, 22 each at quarter time.
Courtney Le’au’anae made a triple in the second quarter but team Sky trailed 37-33 at half time.
Team Sky had the better of the third period as Hoeta cut the margin and Annabelle Jenkins edged them ahead 48-47.
That was as good as it got for team Sky as the Suns guards Clarke, Claire McCurran and Breeze Leonard dominated the scoring in the final period. The trio scored 17 fourth quarter points to help the Suns, along with young Auckland forward Sharne Pupuke-Robati to a ten points victory.
Final score;
Suns 69 – Clarke 13, McCurran 13, Leonard 12, Pupuke-Robati 10
Sky 59 – Hoeta 16, Jenkins 10, Katelin Noyer 8
Game two was a good contest in the first half before the Storm, paced by 20 points from Jordan Hunter, left the Sparks in their wake to ease to a 70-55 win.
Megan Craig and Stevie Theyers (two triples) were prominent in the first quarter helping the Sparks to a 21-15 early advantage, pegged back slightly at half time 33-30.
Tall Ferns centre Craig (26pts) produced a strong display but she didn’t have it all her own way in the paint as Millie Nathan, Milomilo Nanai and Coola Baudry all demonstrated good touch under the hoop.
The third quarter, won 22-8 by the Storm (8pts from Nanai), proved decisive before Rangitoto College forward Tabitha Jenkins with three early scores in the final period sealed the deal for the Storm.
Final score;
Sky 55 – Craig 26, Theyers 10, Rebecca Hughes 9
Storm 70 – Hunter 20, Nanai 18, Jenkins 10, Nathan 10
The major news of the week was that Tall Ferns coach Kennedy Kereama has been appointed coach of Sunbury in the Victorian Big V League.
Tall Ferns coach on the move
Useful contribution off the bench from Chevannah Paalvast
For the second week running Townsville Fire posted a century of points in the Australian WNBL this week demolishing Adelaide Lightning 101-41. The Lightning were outplayed in all facets of the game, they trailed 57-24 at half time and never looked like threatening the defending champions. The Lightning’s cause was not helped when Jess Bygate fouled out in 13 minutes with just two rebounds to her name. Continue reading
A big boost for women’s basketball in the Auckland region comes with the news that the 2015 Mexicali Fresh Summer Jam will feature a four team competition alongside the successful men’s version. Continue reading
Our two Tall Ferns playing in Europe, Erin Rooney and Jillian Harmon were in outstanding form at the weekend both top scoring for their respective teams.
In arguably her best performance as a professional player Cantabrian point guard Erin Rooney logged a game high 38 minutes scoring 19 points and adding 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Her shooting stats were also outstanding connecting with 8 from 12 shots that included 3 from 5 threes.
Unfortunately her fine effort didn’t earn COB Calais a win as they went down 80-68 against Villeneuve D’Ascq. However this was a much-improved effort by Calais following last week’s 40 points flogging at Nantes in the first round of the French league.
Jillian Harmon put together a hugely impressive stat line of 26 points (11/15FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals.
Her performance paced Le Mura Lucca to their second straight Italian League win as they defeated Parma 93-81. Lucca put together a strong 31-13 first quarter performance and was always in control thereafter.
In Australia the WNBL season got under way with four Tall Ferns in action.
Townsville Fire unfurled last season’s WNBL championship banner prior to the game against Bendigo Spirit but the visitors spoilt the celebration winning 72-64 in front of a crowd of 2,000.
Micaela Cocks scored the first points of the game with an And 1 play as the Fire built an 11 points advantage before the Spirit reeled in the defending champions. Cocks went on to record 13 points (5/10Fg) and Chevannah Paalvast, on debut, scored with her only shot of the game.
Also on debut was Jess Bygate, the Tall Ferns forward scored 11 points (4/10FG), for the Adelaide Lightning – defeated 94-72 by Melbourne Boomers.
Better news further west as Toni Edmondson appeared in the starting five for the Perth Lynx. Edmondson had a handy 6pts/2rebs/4assists as the Lynx began their campaign with an 81-70 win against Sydney University Flames.
The Lynx trailed at half time but a 29-18 third quarter dominated by the hosts turned the game in favour of the red and blacks.
Corey Webster wasn’t the only Tall Black venturing on court overseas at the weekend. Continue reading
Two of the Kiwi international players based in Europe were in action at the weekend. Continue reading
During the next few months Laceylowdown will be keeping an eye on the performances of our Tall Blacks and Tall Ferns playing overseas. To date seven Tall Blacks and six Tall Ferns have secured full time contracts for the 2015-16 season. Eight players will be suiting up in Australia but in this article we focus on the three Tall Blacks and two Tall Ferns playing the next season in Europe Continue reading
LACEY LOWDOWN 