LACEY LOWDOWN

Report from Cathy Parker

Both the semi-finals and finals were completed on Sunday at Trusts Stadium, Waitakere in the Wheelchair Nationals Tournament.

In A Division Auckland triumphed over Mid West in one semi whilst the Warriors avenged their three point defeat by Waikato in the playoffs with a 51-47 victory to progress from the other semi-final.

In the final Auckland started with a 10 point run set up by a strong full court press and the scoring spread around with Mark Sullivan and Panchpreet Dhillon each scoring a brace before Poko Mani scored the Warriors first points with Panchpreet returning the favour.

The Warriors then had a six point run with Auckland’s shooting going cold, Rewiti Cameron scoring a brace for the Warriors to take it to 12-8 to Auckland who then added four more points to close out the first quarter 16-10. The second quarter started in a similar fashion to the first with an eight point run to the Auckland Wheelbreakers – the first six from Jimmy Russell, the run halted by two free throws from Warren Putt before the Wheelbreakers added another six. Marty Oliver answered back with a two and Poko Mani with a long 3 pointer but Auckland had the last say ending the quarter up 32-16 and starting to look comfortable.

In what was now a familiar pattern the Wheelbreakers started the 2^nd half with an aggressive full court press and got several 8 second calls and turnovers to again have a six point streak. The Warriors scored most of their third quarter points from the charity stripe with Warren Putt dropping three and Marty Oliver two , Auckland closed the quarter with a 23 point lead 46-23, which was fortunate with two of their forwards in foul trouble.

The Warriors got the better start to the final quarter with an 8-4 run to take the score to 50-30 to the Wheelbreakers who then decided to put their foot on the Warriors throat and score the final 16 points on the trot, 12 of them to Jimmy Russell to take a deserved win 66-30 to back up last years win.

Auckland Wheelbreakers – Jimmy Russell 18, Ricardo Gozon 13, Panchpreet Dhillon 10. Te Puke o Te Whai Warriors – Rewiti Cameron 10, Poko Mani 8, Warren Putt 7.

In the B Division semi finals Auckland saw off Waikato B to reverse the playoff result and get to the final, whilst Northland were too strong for Taranaki in the other semi.

Auckland had won the playoff but finished second on count back to Northland and was keen to make amends and despite strong defence from both teams Auckland took the win and the title 35-21 giving Auckland both titles for the second year in a row and earning congratulations for club coach Glenn McDonald.

Auckland B – Dave Sherriff 12, Cathy Parker 8, Daniel Goulton 7

Te Raki Troopers Northland Brent Lynn 15.

Wheelchair Basketball Nationals Day one report from Cathy Parker

The first day of the Wheelchair basketball nationals at Trusts Stadium in Auckland saw 10 teams competing over two divisions with five teams in the A division and 5 in the B division. Day one saw all teams play their pool games so each team had four games (these are full length 10 min quarter stop clock games).

A Division saw the defending champs, Auckland Wheelbreakers, dominate (4-0) with the closest challenge from the newly formed Te Puku o Te Whai Warriors (2-2), who fielded a number of previous New Zealand representative players.

Auckland won that match up 54-38 pulling away to a comfortable lead after a fairly tight first three quarters.

The final match of the day was Auckland Wheelbreakers Vs last years beaten finalists Waikato (3-1), with Auckland dominating the game 73-30. The other close contests for the day were Waikato Vs the Warriors with Waikato just edging ahead at the end for a 42-39 win and Waikato vs the 2^nd new team at this years Nationals, Mid West (1-3).

Again Waikato just held the advantage 65-62.

The B Division games were generally much closer with Auckland Development, Te Raki Troopers – Northland and Waikato B all finishing (3-1).

Northland beat Waikato convincingly 40-19 to hold top honours after the pool games despite loosing to Auckland 30-36 – who in turn lost to Waikato 22-24 with a last second buzzer beater giving the honours to Waikato.

Taranaki (1-3) and Wheelington (0-4) rounded out B Division.

The semi finals of both divisions are Sunday morning from 9am.The B Division Final is at 1.00pm and the A Division at 2.45pm. Spectator entry is free.

Places after pool play

Place     A Division                                                 B Division

1^st             Auckland Wheelbreakers             Te Raki Troopers Northland

2^nd           Waikato A                                                Auckland Development

3^rd            Te Puku Te Whai Warriors            Waikato B

4^th            Mid West                                                  Taranaki

5^th            BOP                                                               Wheelington

Wheelchair basketball

The Nationals are a sanctioned BBNZ Nationals. Wheelchair basketball is played on standard basketball courts with standard height goals. Games are the same structure as stand up basketball – 10 minute stop clock quarters, 24 second shot clock, normal time outs, subbing etc.

The bulk of the rules are as for stand up basketball with some specific differences to cater for the the chairs in terms of obstruction and fouls, double dribbles are allowed (as some players need to carry the ball on their lap) and a travel is where a player pushes on the wheel more than twice without bouncing the ball.

Players are classified on a points system to ensure a mix of players can play, those with the highest level of disability have a 1 point classification through to players with minimal disability (or an able bodied player – yes they can play at any level under full international competition) having a 4.5 classification.

A team may only have five players totalling 14 points or less on the court ensuring the lower point players get fair court time. The lower point players (1-3) tend to be guards and the higher point players (3.5-4.5) forwards.

The final of the Girls Premier Grade competition will feature Mt Albert Grammar School and traditional rivals Auckland Girls Grammar School after both beat off the challenges of their North Shore rivals at the NSEC on Friday.

The Premier games were preceded by the Greater Auckland Under 15, Under 17 and Open Grade competitions – see results at foot of story.

Mt Albert Grammar had much the better of the first half against Westlake Girls High School leading 40-33 despite a late three point flourish from Zara Jillings, Chanel Brodeur-Muir and Tiarna Clarke (five triples between them in the second quarter). Sharne Pupuke-Robati and Trinity Paeu spearheaded a strong opening half from MAGS.

Jillings and Jordyn Maddix cut into the MAGS lead in the third, 55-50, at three-quarter time.

Back to back baskets from Mareta Davidson trimmed the MAGS advantage to a single point (57-56) in the middle of the fourth although Rhyannon Poto restored a three point advantage on the next play.

MAGS wrestled back momentum in the closing minutes as Pupuke-Robati and Jodea Joseph took the lead out to 66-59 with two minutes to play.

Paeu scored to extend the advantage and although Jillings landed a late three MAGS emerged deserved winners.

Final Score: Mt Albert 72 – Trinity Peau 26, Sharne Robati 22

Westlake 62 – Jillings 20, Clarke 11

Rangitoto College struggled early on against Auckland Girls Grammar School but with Riana Rangi-Brown converting down the lane on the final play of the half they had almost gained parity trailing 29-28 at the break. Mele Latu had 8 points for Grammar at the interval, Rangi-Brown the same number for Rangitoto.

Bella Elgar gave Rangi the lead for the first time in the game (35-33) but a long three from Karma Skilton-Roberts prompted a 10-0 AGS run and when Elianna Tuaiti landed another three they led 52-40 at the last break.

The tireless Tabitha Jenkins along with Robyn Blackstock and Gracie Hasler-Ewin kept Rangi in contention, the Grammar lead 54-44 with 5 minutes to play.

Grammar put their foot down with a closing 13-2 burst, Tyla Tuala landing a late trey, to help secure a berth in next week’s final for the regular season champions.

Final Score: AGGS 67 – Latu 16, Skilton-Roberts 12, Elianna Tuaiti 12, Papa 11 Rangitoto 47 – Rangi-Brown 10, Jenkins 10, Elgar 7, Hasler-Ewin 7

Under 15 Girls semi-finals:

Mt Albert Grammar 29 – Anna Teu 14, Monica Kelly 7 St Kentigern College 22 – Zara Smith 10, Aimee Johnson 6

Avondale College 36 – MacLani Michael 14, NgatikaPaton-Young 14 Massey High 52 – Harmony Rangi-Brown 21, Rose Maeli 11

Under 17 Girls semi-finals:

Mt Albert Grammar 35 – Sharne Pupuke-Robati 16, Jada Manase 7 St Mary’s College 25 – Jazzmyne Fulu 10, Safenunuivao Williams 8

Avondale College 31 – Mariah Ropati 12, Tessa Nikolaison 8, Teneva Ropati 7 Massey High 47 – Shauna Povey 19, Terrina Aratangi 13, Laticia Jost 9

Open Grade Girls semi-finals:

Westlake Girls 73 – Jessica Moors 18, Emme Shearer 15, Christine Ling 10 Rutherford College 35 – Odessa Lawson 15, Nikita Murray 9

Birkenhead College 38 – Rashaan Smith 24, Beth Marshall 6 Epsom Girls 34 – Sarah Scouler 9, Charlotte Armstrong 9, Aira Benitez 8

The finals of all four competitions will be held at NSEC on Thursday August 25th.

Taine Wattie – photo courtesy of Sylvia Wilkins

The main features of the final full round of Auckland Secondary Schools Premier Boys Grade action on Friday night was that three of the four games went to overtime and Rangitoto College wrapped up the regular season title.

Rosmini College, Kelston Boys High School and Liston College all prevailed in additional time.

Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Josh Hidalgo scored triples on the opening possessions for their respective teams as Westlake Boys High School entertained neighbours Rosmini College.

A Taine Wattie tip in gave Rosmini the lead but back to back jumpers from James Moors took Lake ahead 12-11 early on.

Ethan Martin connected with a three but Perrott-Hunt landed his second triple to help Rozza to a narrow 21-19 quarter time lead.

James Moors continued his good form with a quick 7 points in the second quarter and buckets from Hidalgo and Reuben Fitzgerald helped Lake out to a 38-33 advantage.

Moors capped an outstanding first half with a defensive block. The Westlake swingman had 22 points at the interval with his team ahead 46-39.

A Peter Jenkins drive opened the second half scoring and when Will Heather dropped a bucket four minutes later Rosmini had wrestled back the advantage with a 16-5 run.

Hidalgo and Fitzgerald reclaimed the lead only for Nathan Curran and Taine Wattie to edge the visitors back ahead 61-56 at three-quarter time.

Another run from Rozza with Marvin Williams-Dunn and Wattie sharing 12 points took them to a healthy 73-58 lead. Moors replied with a triple plus an And 1 play but Westlake needed a timeout trailing 76-64 with 4:50 to play.

Isaac Letoa capitalised on two Rozza turnovers but Jenkins and Dance took Rosmini to an 80-69 lead and apparent safety with 4 minutes left on the clock.

Letoa and Westlake thought otherwise. The Westlake captain scored his side’s next 9 points as they closed to within seven with three to play.

Moors converted a deep three – 82-76 with two minutes to play.

With 1:47 left Wattie, who had had a fine game up to that point, departed with a fifth foul. Worse still it was of the technical variety.

Moors converted the resulting free throw and Letoa sunk another freebie to draw Westlake within three, 82-79 with 1:03 to play.

Pressure defence from the hosts drew a 24 seconds violation from Rozza with 39 seconds left.

Westlake advanced the ball after a timeout and under intense defensive pressure Letoa tied the scores (82-82) with a polished long range three.

It appeared that Rosmini would have the final possession but they gifted it to Westlake with an inbounds turnover. A Letoa jump shot rimmed out and overtime ensued.

Westlake had done remarkably well to come from 15 points down in the middle of the fourth quarter but they visibly tired in overtime.

A couple of Williams-Dunn threes gave Rosmini some breathing space before Perrott-Hunt and Dance sealed a hard fought 98-89 victory.

Westlake coach Phil Campbell lamented a below average rebounding performance from his team but will look forward to the likely return of the injured Thabo Manyere for the semi-final rematch in two weeks time.

Another tight encounter is on the cards.

Final Score: Westlake 89 – Moors 37, Letoa 17, Fitzgerald 13, Hildago 12, Jenkins 13 Rosmini 98 – Wattie 23, Dance 20, Perrott-Hunt 17

In another overtime game Kelston Boys High School coach Jeff Fahrensohn gained bragging right over son Taki as Kelston beat Auckland Grammar School in a thriller 88-86.

Kelston appeared certain to win the game in regular time after stealing the ball with 14 seconds to play and holding a 73-70 advantage. Rather than keep possession and draw the likely foul Kelston opted for a layup and missed!

In a frantic close Thomas Whyte saw an attempted three hit the ring and bounce out only for Taki Fahresohn to gather an offensive rebound, dribble out and launch an off balance shot that hit nothing but net on the buzzer to tie the game at 73 apiece.

The two teams went toe for toe in overtime before Kelston and their go to man Linus Jakzst (32 points on the night) had the final possession with 12 seconds to play and the scores locked at 86 all.

With the Kelston bench counting down the seconds Jakzst made the match winning play much to the delight of the home team and supporters.

Earlier Kelston had opened an early 21-10 lead but pegged back to 37-32 by half-time. Kelston had a 57-48 buffer at the third break before AGS made their fourth quarter run.

Final Score: Kelston 88 – Jakzst 32, Matangi Prescott 23, Liam Milne 13, Kale Lawson 10 AGS 86

It was a low scoring affair at Mt Albert Grammar with the hosts going down 54-45 to Rangitoto College.

Normally a free scoring team Rangi opened up with an acceptable 18 points in the opening quarter to lead by 8 but that was as good as it got.

A cold Auckland night must have got to both teams as MAGS shot just 29% from the field (18/62) with Rangi only marginally better, 20/64, at 31%.

Brayden Inger has been in good form of late and he had 14 points at the interval with Rangi 33-20 ahead.

As he has been all season Michael Gardner was the main scoring threat for Mt Albert and he scored 11 points, including a brace of threes, in the third period as MAGS trimmed the Rangi advantage (43-36).

Rangitoto guard Cam Stone sunk a triple and Harry Clarke collected half a dozen points in the final ten minutes as the regular season champs recorded their twelfth win of the season.

MAGS coach Daryl Cartwright was pleased with his team’s defensive work, “We battled back to striking distance but couldn’t execute at the end. It was a good effort defensively holding them to under sixty.”

Final Score: MAGS 45 – Gardner 25, Trent Kimiangatau 8, Jack Morrison 6 Rangitoto 54 – Inger 15, Clarke 12, Dan Fotu 8, Logan Anderson 8

In the final game of the round Liston College saved their best until last beating Onehunga High School 97-96 in the third overtime game of the night. The win was Liston’s first of the season

Final Standings with one game between Rosmini and Kelston to be played on Monday August 8th. The top four teams will contest the semi-finals on August 19th.

12-2 Rangitoto College

10-3 Rosmini College

10-4 Westlake Boys HS

8-6 AGS

———————————–

7-7 MAGS

5-8 Kelston Boys HS

2-12 Onehunga HS

1-13 Liston College

Terai Sadler had a strong game for Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats

Day two was the moving day at the 2016 Women’s Basketball Championship (WBC) Play-offs tournament in Porirua on Friday with the finalists for both the Championship and Plate competitions found.

The big news was that 2015 champions Oceana Gold Rush Otago were defeated, in an extremely tight game by Waikato Wizards. The Wizards will meet Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats in the Final on Saturday.

The plate competition will be played between Auckland Counties Manukau Lady Hawks and hosts Capital Flyers.

Semi- Final 1 Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats 70 Taranaki Thunder 38

 A Courtney Hamblin three opened the Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats scoring but it was Taranaki Thunder via Jess Tuki and Jenna Kensington that made the stronger start (11-3) causing Canterbury coach Lori McDaniel to call an early timeout and introduce veteran Sally Farmer. Things didn’t improve immediately and it took the emergence of import Ashley Gayle to spark a red and black scoring run. The Nakki led 18-15 at quarter time but there was evidence that the absence of Tuki, pinged for a second personal foul, would hurt her team.

Taranaki coach Angelo Hill inserted Tuki back into the fray to start the second quarter. His gamble misfired when his main rebounding weapon immediately picked up her third foul. Gayle and Fran Edmondson began to dominate inside and it was the American who gave her team the lead midway through the period.

A Shea Crotty three got the sizeable Canterbury support cheering and an identical effort from Tessa Morrison carried them to a 40-27 half-time lead.

Edmondson moved into double double territory with a classy baseline move, Vanessa McCarthy replied for Taranaki but they trailed 49-32 at the third quarter mid point. Bailey Gavin scored five quick points for the Thunder but a Sally Farmer bucket not only extended the Wildcats advantage to 20 points, 57-37, but it also drew a fourth personal on Tuki.

The final period was one way traffic as Canterbury moved into Saturday’s Grand Final with a 70-38 win.

Leading Scorers;

Canterbury – Edmondson 14p/10r, Gayle 11/8, Sadler 11/7, Crotty 9

Taranaki – Tuki 15, Gavin 6

Semi-Final 2 Waikato Wizards v Oceana Gold Rush Otago

 The Wizards led by forward Kelcy Ballantyne edged the first quarter 14-10.

A quality second quarter ensued with no quarter given at the defensive ends. Triples from Aleisha Ruske and Soraya Umaga-Jensen helped Otago edge to a 29-24 half-time lead No player had more than 6 points at the break, both teams with a balanced scoring effort.

Stifling defence from both teams kept the scoring low but the interest high, Otago finishing the third quarter with a 6-2 run to sneak ahead 40-38, at three-quarter time.

With 5 minutes to play Waikato led 46-43 after a Ballantyne break. Alyssa Hirawani stretched it more but Natalie Visger made a basket plus the bonus; 48-46 to Waikato with 2:59 to play.

Much to the delight of her Hutt Valley fan club Umaga-Jensen tied the scores only for Kendell Heremaia to reinstate Waikato’s advantage with a basket and a pair of freebies. Visger again made it close but Waikato held their nerve, the dependable Miriam Stevens converting a pair of free throws to send the Wizards into the final.

Leading Scorers;

Waikato – Heremaia 17, Hirawani 11, Ballantyne 8p/7r, Stevens 8, Lenden 8

Otago – Visger 12, Umaga-Jensen 10, A Ruske 8

Earlier in the day:

Waikato Wizards 91 Waitakere Lady Rangers 66

 There was plenty at stake in this game, the winner progressing to the Championship semi-final the loser dropping into the Plate competition.

Even-stevens early on Waikato stretched away in the middle stages leading 43-31 at half-time and 67-47 at three-quarter time. The fourth quarter was just a formality as Waikato breezed into the semi’s.

Leading Scorers;

Waikato – Stevens 17, Perrott-Hunt 14, Hirawani 14

Waitakere – Finnigan 11, Vetters 11, Leslie 11

 Oceana Gold Rush Otago 61 Taranaki Thunder 54

 The game was decided in the third period as Otago turned a 27-24 mid term deficit into a decisive 50-36 three quarter time lead. Otago’s 26-9 third period run was fuelled by a brace of threes from both Bronwyn Kjestrup and Soraya Umaga-Jensen.

Taranaki attempted to unsettle Gold Rush with some full court pressure and did manage to reduce the arrears to 6 points (58-52) with 2 minutes to play.

Jess Tuki then pulled it to within 4 points inside the last minute but following a Todd Marshall time out the Southerners remained composed to book a semi-final match up with Waikato later in the day.

Leading Scorers;

Otago – Umaga-Jensen 15, Kjestrup 14, Main 10

Taranaki – Tuki 15p/10r, Keech 12

Plate Competition

 Waitakere Lady Rangers v Auckland Counties Manukau Lady Hawks

 The encounter between the two teams hit hardest by Tall Ferns selection (four in total) played for a place in the Plate Final. Triples from Breanna Jones and NZ Under 16 representative Sharne Robati helped ACM to a 22-15 first quarter advantage.

Oklahoma native Lauren Vetters added some starch to the Waitakere defence and with Darci Finnigan adding some points the margin was just eight points, 38-30, at half time. It was still only a 10 points margin, 55-45, entering the final quarter.

Interestingly the first five baskets scored by each team in the final period were scored by ten different players – ACM still ahead 67-56 with three minutes to play.

A Leiani Tautiepa jump shot and a Mina Tamatoa put back stretched the lead further, ACM moving into the Plate Final with a 17 points victory.

Leading Scorers;

ACM – Robati 16, Jones 14p/12r, Turton 13, Purcell 13

Waitakere – Finnigan 15, Vetters 14, Milani 11

Capital Flyers 91 Tauranga City Coasters 41

 The Flyers led by livewire Junior Tall Fern Sariah Penese raced out the blocks to establish a 29-13 first quarter advantage. Despite 9 points from Kaatia Watene the Coasters were struggling to find the basket and trailed 45-23 at half-time. Capital’s Tegan Graham (11pts) joined Penese (15pts) in double figures at the break.

Courtney Stubbins scored 9 points in the period as Capital moved ahead 66-36 at three-quarter time eventually cruising to a 91-41.

Leading Scorers;

Capital – Penese 23, Graham 16, Kiriau 13

Watene 10, Hughes 10

Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix 35 Nelson Sparks 53

 Nelson Sparks remained unbeaten with a comfortable win against Te Tai Tokerau. Both teams struggled in a low scoring first half edged by Nelson 21-17 – a couple of neat baskets from Lauren Hippolite the difference between the two teams.

The Sparks found more of a scoring rhythm in the second half as Kirsty Thompson, Kat Jones and Aimee Book found a route to the hoop.

Jaimee-Lee Tito and Reana Hetaraka-Sadler showed some nice touches for the Phoenix but the Sparks progress was rarely interrupted as they moved on for an encounter with the unbeaten Capital Flyers.

Leading scorers;

Nelson – Hippolite 12, Jones 10p/8r, Book 9

Te Tai Tokerau – Tito 10, Hetaraka-Sadler 8, Riwai 8

Capital Flyers v Nelson Sparks

 This game was a virtual semi-final with the winner earning a place in the Plate Final on Saturday. It was the home team that made the early running through Tegan Graham and Junior Tall Fern Sariah Penese dominated the opening exchanges to lead 20-4 at quarter time. Nelson improved greatly in the second period sharing the spoils to trail 34-17 at the interval with Lauren Hippolite nabbing 7 points.

Nelson staged a terrific comeback in the second half as Hippolite and Jodi Hikuroa-Jeffrey kept the Capital defence under pressure. Remarkably the Sparks got the difference down to 5 points, 53-48 early in the final period but Capital re grouped to book a place in the final. Nelson guard Hikuroa-Jeffrey continued her good form with a game high 25 points

Leading Scorers;

Capital – Penese 23, Graham 15, Morris 13

Nelson – Hikuroa- Jeffrey, Hippolite 19

In a non-competition games the Junior Tall Ferns were too good for Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix winning 67-28.

Leading Scorers;

JTF’s – Rainsfield 22, Jillings 17

Te Tai Tokerau – Tito 10

Later in the day the Junior Tall Ferns were given a tougher workout by Tauranga City Coasters before winning 69-59.

Leading Scorers;

JTF’s – Jillings 18, Rainsford 12, Baudry 10

Tauranga – Hughes 15, B Rogers 13, Watene 10Can