Apr 04 2016
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

Plenty of action overseas over the weekend

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Impressive stats line from Tom Abercrombie

It has been a productive week for our overseas based international basketball players with all producing double figure scoring efforts in the last few days.

Europe –Men

A couple of our European based Tall Blacks have requested to be listed as free agents for next season’s Australian National Basketball League. Rob Loe and Duane Bailey appear on the list that was released last Friday and it will be interesting to see if they secure contracts in this part of the world.

Their current clubs had differing fortunes over the weekend.

Rob Loe and his Limburg club solidified fourth spot on the Belgium League ladder winning 72-64 against Port of Antwerp Giants. The Tall Blacks centre had 7 points (2/3FG) and 6 rebounds. Loe scored 13 points in the midweek loss, 80-68, to Proximus Spirou.

Plymouth Raiders had their work cut out visiting British Basketball League leaders Leicester Riders on Sunday so could have done without one of their key players being ejected from the game. Cory Dixon was shown the door, following a second technical foul, after just 10 minutes of play. Operating with a short rotation anyway the Raiders were always going to struggle from that point and not surprisingly lost 92-68.

Duane Bailey scored 16 points and added 6 rebounds and 3 assists as the Raiders cling on to the eighth spot with a 12-17 record – just three regular season games remain for the Raiders.

Tom Abercrombie appears to have slotted comfortably into his new surroundings at Turkish club Pinar Karsiyaka. The Tall Blacks and Breakers swingman produced an impressive stats line of 17 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block as Karsiyaka defeated TED Kolejliler 90-79 on the road.Karsiyaka have a 14-10 record and sit 6th on the Turkish League table.

Corey Webster played all 40 minutes for Koroivos as they lost 92-78 against PAOK and remain in relegation trouble in the Greek League. The shooting guard dished 7 assists and scored 12 points as Koroivos slipped to a seventh straight loss.

Isaac Fotu was in fine form for Zaragoza as they defeated Estudian 81-62 on Sunday. One of four Zaragoza players in double figures Fotu accumulated 16 points and also secured 7 rebounds during 25 minutes of court time. Zaragoza improved to 14th in Liga Endesa with an 8-17 record.

Europe – Women

 A third loss in a row has resulted in Le Murra Lucca bowing out of the Italian Cup at the semi-final stage. Lucca were defeated 68-60 by Famila Schio on Saturday despite yet another strong performance from Jillian Harmon.

The Tall Ferns forward scored 29 points and also contributed 6 rebounds and 4 steals in a losing cause.

Australia – Women

Tall Ferns Head coach Kennedy Kereama is also head coach of the Sunbury Jets in the Victorian Big V League. Kereama has recruited Tall Fern Jess Bygate for the 2016 season and the former Nelson Sparks forward produced an 11 points and 6 rebounds effort on Saturday as the Jets beat Chelsea on the road to move to 2-0 for the season.

Apr 04 2016
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James Blond Supercity Rangers, NZ NBL

Thoughts from coaches Flavell and Green

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Judd Flavell

By Murray McKinnon

The James Blond Supercity Ranges dug themselves out of a hole in the first quarter and went on to score their second win of the season beating the Zerofees Southland Sharks 87-79 at the AUT North Shore on Saturday.

The Sharks opened the scoring with a three from Ana Haku and with further shots from beyond the arc by Everard Bartlett and Derone Raukawa had the Rangers rattled to finish the first quarter ahead 31-18.

 

With a stern message from coach Jeff Green the Rangers set about rescuing the situation going on an unanswered 11 point run to level the score at 41 each. They went into the second half at 45 all.

Reuben Te Rangi set the stadium alight in the third quarter spurred on by a vocal group of supporters scoring 12 points, which included three threes. Just one point separated the teams the Sharks ahead 69-68 going into the final ten minutes.

The Ranges lifted their defensive intensity in the final quarter giving Eric Devendorf numerous scoring opportunities in transition.

Devendorf led the scorers with 28, Te Rangi collected 23 and Tait 17.

Jordair Jett sprained his left knee with minutes remaining in the game, but still was the top scorer for the Sharks with 19, and Alex Pledger had 16 and 11 rebounds with Haku on 14 and 12 rebounds.

Dillon Boucher said that defence in the second half was the key to the Rangers win.

“We gave up 31 points in that first quarter and no one was happy so we wanted to lock down that second quarter and I thought we actually locked down for the next three quarters and to only give up 79 point after 31 in the first quarter is a great defensive effort. We know we’re a potent scoring team and we know if we play a little bit of D we become very tough all of a sudden.”

He added that consistency is still an element that is missing.

“We needed to play well and I thought tonight we played well in patches, we weren’t consistent but we played well when we needed to. Unfortunately Jordair Jett went down injured and that helped our cause and we’re just looking forward to getting Mika Vukona back next week and to bolster our stocks a little and we feel like we need to go down to Taranaki and play a lot better than we did against them up here,” said Boucher.

Coach Green also emphasised the need to work on improving the defence.

“It is where we need to work harder and we got ourselves in a hole in the first quarter, but in the end it was our defence that brings us home because we can score with the best of them, but we’ve got to learn to stop people. 
From the second to the fourth quarter we did a good job we held them to 14 points in the second quarter and in that last quarter we just knuckled down defensively.”

Sharks coach Judd Flavell lamented the costly turnovers given up by his team.

“They’re a team that thrives on opportunities when we give them possession. We didn’t do a good job of looking after possession we gave up too many offensive rebounds in that second half and in that second quarter we had too many turnovers and we weren’t disciplined enough to keep the ball and look after it.

So hopefully we learn from that. And we need to because that’s definitely a game where I felt our own discipline let us down,” said Flavell.

The Sharks went on to Taradale where they beat the Indigo Hawks 101-87 on Sunday afternoon.

The Rangers next play Taranaki in New Plymouth on Sunday April 10.

Apr 03 2016
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Tall Ferns, WBC

Paalvast shines as top six found at WBC

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A WBC season high 42 points for Chevannah Paalvast

Most interest on day three of Women’s Basketball Championship (WBC) play in Nelson on Sunday centred around which team would claim the sixth and final play-off spot.

Entering the penultimate game of the day Capital Flyers, Nelson Sparks and Taranaki Thunder, all vying for that sixth spot, had three wins apiece.

Taranaki had the superior points differential record meaning Nelson Sparks needed to beat Waitakere Lady Rangers to edge out both Taranaki and Capital.

The Sparks found themselves 23-19 in arrears at quarter time against Watakere Lady Rangers and it got worse for the hosts as a Chevannah Paalvast inspired Rangers took control of the contest with an 18-0 run. Fresh from her Australian WNBL success with Townsville Fire Paalvast was in terrific form scoring 25 first half points to give her team a 50-32 lead at the break.

Kat Jones (20pts) and Jodi Hikuroa-Jeffrey (28pts) kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Sparks but despite plenty of vocal encouragement they were unable to threaten the Lady Rangers control of the game. Shooting a highly respectable 42% (19/32) from three point range the visitors eased out to a 96-73 victory on the back of 42 points from Paalvast, a competition high this season.

A philosophical Kat Jones was disappointed but paid credit to the opposition.

“The game got away from us in the second quarter and whilst we didn’t allow the margin to increase in the second half we were not able to get enough stops to threaten their lead.”

“We are not used to playing against a player of Chev Paalvast’s ability and also Deena Franklin was outstanding”

Earlier in the day Taranaki Thunder appeared to be heading for their fourth win of the campaign when they led ACM Lady Hawks 50-38 at three quarter time and were still ahead 57-54 with three minutes to play. Unfortunately the Thunder failed to score in the final four minutes of the game and fell to a 66-57 defeat.

Taranaki guard Jenna Kensington scored 15 points and Jess Tuki produced the stats line of the tournament 18pts/17rebs/3a/3b/3st but it was not enough as a 30 points haul from Jordan Hunter inspired an ACM come from behind victory.

Capital Flyers recorded a third straight win to keep their faint top six hopes alive. The Flyers, paced by impressive guard Kayla Kiriau (26pts), proved too good for Tauranga City Coasters winning 72-49. The Coasters were well in contention at half-time trailing by single digits but faded in the second half. Captain Courtney Wilson scored 13 points and the tireless Tayla Kendrick had 6 points to go with 16 rebounds but it was Capital that took the honours.

Leanne Walker was forced into action for an undermanned Waikato Wizards in their encounters with Oceana Gold Rush Otago and Taranaki Thunder. The fourty-six year old former Olympian played 16 minutes as the Wizards fell 68-46, trailing throughout, against the Gold Rush. Once again Otago produced a balanced scoring effort headed by 14 points each from Aleisha Ruske and Soraya Umaga-Jensen. Forward Kelcy Ballanytyne had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards.

Walker did even better against Taranaki scoring 9 points in 23 minutes although it was daughter Krystal who did most the damage as Waikato edged a tight one 58-56. Krystal scored 14 points and forward Miriam Stevens 13 points for the Gold and Blacks. Jess Tuki scored 17 points for the Thunder and Joellen How chipped in with 9 points.

The Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats breezed to a comprehensive 68-26 win against Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix to preserve their unbeaten record. Jaimee Lee-Tito (15pts/8rebs) led the scoring and rebounding for the Phoenix but the collective ability of the Wildcats proved too much for the Northerners. Import Ashley Gayle had a double double of 15 points and 13 rebounds for the ‘Cats’ who also had four players with 8 points.

So it is Taranaki Thunder that will join Canterbury, Otago, Waikato, ACM and Waitakere in the championship section when the WBC comes to an exciting conclusion in Porirua next month.

Taranaki coach Angelo Hill was delighted with the efforts of his young team.

“We have five players still at school and another just out of school so for this group to have made the top six is a credit to their effort and commitment. The older players have been excellent in mentoring the younger one’s and there is a really good spirit in the team.”

“We just need to stay healthy between now and the next tournament in Porirua in order to give a good account of ourselves. I’m enjoying coaching this team and they have come a long way in a short time.”

Oceana Gold Rush Otago will host Canterbury Wildcats in Dunedin on April 17 in the final round robin game of the season. That fixture will determine top seeding in this season’s WBC competition.

WBC Current Standings

8-0 Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats

7-1 Oceana Gold Rush Otago

7-2 ACM Lady Hawks

6-3 Waitakere Lady Rangers, Waikato Wizards

3-6 Taranaki Thunder (Qualify top 6 on count back)

3-6 Nelson Sparks, Capital Flyers

1-8 Tauranga City Coasters

0-9 Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix

Apr 01 2016
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WBC, Womens Basketball

WBC Day I review from Nelson

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Shea Crotty helped the Canterbury Wildcats remain unbeaten in 2016 WBC

Taranaki Thunder secured an important win early on Day 1 of the 2016 Women’s Basketball Championship (WBC) second tournament on Friday at Saxton Arena.

The Thunder upset hosts Nelson Sparks winning 52-36 and in so doing boosted their chances of a top six finish and an opportunity to contest the championship section in Porirua early next month.

Jess Tuki was a rebounding machine for Taranaki, grabbing 11 by half-time, eventually finishing with 17 to add to 8 points. Iritana Hohaia complimented Tuki nicely with 12 points (5/9FG) whilst Jodi Hikuroa-Jeffrey fought something of a lone hand for Nelson recording 16 points.

Waikato Wizards were given a huge fright by Capital Flyers coming from four points down at three-quarter time to eventually win 52-50. Miriam Stevens (19pts) eased her team over the line with 11 final quarter points. The Flyers, led by Tegan Graham’s 16 points, were denied their first win of the season but bounced back later in the day.

Graham (28pts) combined for 52 points with Kayla Kiriau to give the Flyers their break out win, 85-74, against Taranaki Thunder. They led 36-32 at the main break and controlled the tempo in the second half to record a deserved win.

The long journey south caused Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix a few problems as they managed just two points in the opening quarter against ACM Lady Hawks. They did improve as the game progressed but still went down 59-25 to the Aucklander’s who were paced by Jordan Hunter (18pts) and Hailey Moala (13pts).

A key game featured the unbeaten Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats and Waikato Wizards. The scores were tied 22 apiece at half time but the inside domination of Canterbury forwards Fran Edmondson (11p/15r) and import Ashley Gayle (13p/11r) proved the difference as the Wildcats ran out 58-53 to the good.

Tauranga City Coasters were outclassed by Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats 110-33 in the opening game of the day but demonstrated a huge improvement against Oceana Gold Rush Otago later in the day losing in heartbraking fashion 65-62. The Coasters were ahead 62-60 with under a minute to play but committed an inbounds turnover allowing Aleisha Ruske the opportunity to make the go ahead three for the defending champions with 34 seconds remaining. Rebecca Hughes missed a jump shot on the next play for the Coasters who were then forced to foul allowing Janet Main (12pts) to ice the game for Otago.

15 year old Tauranga guard Briarly Rogers was outstanding leading all scorers with 19 points (8/12FG).

Otago won the battle for second spot on the WBC ladder beating Waitakere Lady Rangers 70-57. The Rangers welcomed back Chevannah Paalvast (12pts) fresh from her Australian WNBL success with Townsville Fire but it was the performances of Soraya Umaga-Jensen (17pts) and Natalie Visger (15pts) in Otago colours that caught the eye.

In the last game of the day Kat Jones kept Nelson’s slim championship play-off hopes alive with a dominating 19 points, 10 rebounds performance as the Sparks kept Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix winless with a hard fought 44-39 victory. Sian Telfar (9pts) top scored for the Phoenix despite leaving the court early in the third period after sustaining an eye injury.

WBC Current Standings

6-0 Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats

5-1 Oceana Gold Rush Otago

5-2 ACM Lady Hawks

4-2 Waikato Wizards, Waitakere Lady Rangers

3-3 Taranaki Thunder

2-4 Nelson Sparks

1-5 Tauranga City Coasters

1-6 Capital Flyers

0-6 Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix

Mar 30 2016
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Tall Ferns, WBC

WBC Preview

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 Chevannah Paalvast is a welcome addition to Lady Rangers team.

The New Zealand Women’s Basketball Championship (WBC) resumes this weekend with Nelson hosting the second of three tournament weekends played to decide the best women’s provincial basketball team in the country.

The tournament is played this Friday to Sunday, (April 1-3) with all games played at Saxton Arena, 142 Saxton Road East, Nelson, with ten provincial teams contesting the 2016 championship.

The WBC takes on the same format as last year with some games played outside the three tournament weekends, in an attempt to promote the women’s games and profile the players in their local associations.

One of these was played in Auckland earlier in the month when Waitakere Lady Rangers travelled down the Western Motorway and recorded an exciting 84-79 overtime win against Auckland Counties Manukau Lady Hawks.

The major news from the Waitakere camp is that Tall Fern Chevannah Paalvast returns to her former club. Paalvast recently won an Australian WNBL championship with Townsville Fire and her appearance will be a major boost to Rangers coach Aik Ho and his charges.

“Chev is an excellent addition to our squad especially as we have lost the services of veteran guard Amanda Buck. Her experience will be of enormous help to our younger players and obviously her on court ability speaks for itself,” said Ho.

The Lady Hawks will have a settled line up in Nelson but will have to manage without the vastly experienced Hailey Moala (nee Purcell) in the third tournament as she is off to play club basketball in the Queensland State League.

Defending champions Oceana Gold Rush Otago were heartened by a 72-70 overtime victory against Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats at Cowles Stadium on Good Friday.

Although a non-championship game the performance was a boost for Otago as coach Todd Marshall explains.

“It was a really pleasing result, we were able to hit our shots down the stretch and trust in each other, the game could have gone either way, it was good for the team to play in front of Canterbury’s crowd and show good composure in overtime”

“Both Janet Main (21pts) and Bronwyn Kjestrup (18pts/8rebs) led the way defensively as well as on offense, the longer the game went the more our players were able to take their opportunities on offense to help spread the load”

Marshall is looking forward to the games in Nelson this weekend.

“We have four games that we will need to be up for if we want to be in with a chance of winning. Soraya Umaga-Jensen comes back into the squad bringing some added experience and toughness, however Nicole Ruske is unavailable as she will be away with the Junior Tall Ferns in China”.

Canterbury assistant coach Sally Farmer turned out for the Wildcats last Friday scoring 11 points in 19 minutes of action. It is unclear if the 39-year-old double Olympian will suit up in Nelson but this is what Canterbury coach Lori McDaniel said about the former Tall Fern earlier in the season.

“Sally has agreed to be on the roster and we are hopeful she will play in at least one tournament. I think it is great for the younger players to have someone of Sally’s experience willing to be in the mix.”

Will that tournament be Nelson this weekend?

Jessica Tuki could well be back in contention for a Tall Ferns recall after her outstanding performances for Taranaki Thunder in the opening tournament in Tauranga.

The Thunder are in a rebuilding phase with a very young squad and will need Tuki at her dominant best if they are to threaten a top six finish.

Taranaki’s encounter with 2012 Champions Nelson Sparks on Friday looks to be one of the key match ups in deciding top six play-off places. The Sparks, with home court advantage, will start out favourites but Kat Jones and her team will be taking nothing for granted.

Another player looking for an international recall is Krystal Leger-Walker. The Waikato Wizards guard, like Tuki, debuted for the Ferns in 2014. Still only 18 Leger-Walker is a key player for the 2013 and 2014 WBC runners-up who have recently recruited Georgia Perrott-Hunt and Olivia Bell from North Harbour.

Capital Flyers, Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix and Tauranga City Coasters all struggled in tournament one and it will need a major change in fortune for any of these teams to be in championship contention come finals time in Porirua in May.

Games get underway at 8.30am on Friday with the hosts entertaining Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix and the undefeated Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats taking on Tauranga City Coasters.

WBC current standings:

4-0 Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats

4-1 Waitakere Lady Rangers

4-2 ACM Lady Hawks

3-1 Waikato Wizards, Oceana Gold Rush Otago,

2-2 Taranaki Thunder

1-3 Tauranga City Coasters, Nelson Sparks

0-4 Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix

0-5 Capital Flyers

Mar 27 2016
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James Blond Supercity Rangers, NZ NBL

Rangers v Rams post game thoughts

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“At least I have a job for another week” says Jeff Green

By Murray McKinnon

The James Blond Super City Rangers are on the board, grabbing their first win of the NBL season with victory over the Canterbury Rams, 103-87, at the AUT Sports Centre on Saturday.

Play was even through the first quarter, with the Rangers left open from the arc, allowing Lindsay Tait, Reuben Te Rangi and right on the buzzer Brook Ruscoe to slot in three pointers. Rangers were ahead 27-25 going into the next 10 minutes.

With the score at 46-36 mid-way through the second quarter Canterbury, fresh from beating the Southland Sharks at home, burst into life with ten unanswered points, Ethan Rusbatch and new point guard Justin Graham pivotal in the run.
However the Rangers responded going to the break ahead 52-46 helped by a corner three  from Josh Bloxham.

The up tempo affair continued in the third period with the two teams trading baskets leaving the Rams still six points in arrears at three-quarter time.

It was a struggle for the Rams in the final quarter the Rangers winning the period 29-19. Terrence Roberts was in top form in the last few minutes for the Rangers putting on a great show of eight points in succession including a couple of dunks and a long range three.

Tait was outstanding with 19 points, 15 assists and five defensive rebounds. Devendorf ended with 21 points and five rebounds and Roberts 17 points and six rebounds.

Rusbatch was the Rams top scorer for the second straight game with 22 points, Marcel Jones had 20 points and 11 rebounds and Marcus Alipate contributed 15.

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Rams coach Mark Dickel offers no excuses for loss

Coach of the Rams Mark Dickel said that the tough travel schedule was not a factor in losing.
“No excuses, Super City played really well they were desperate and they wanted the game more than we did and all credit to them they really deserved the win, we just didn’t play hard enough or well enough to deserve to win,” he said.
Dickel added that he has a good team if they put the effort in.
“We’re more than capable if we play the game right and we share the ball and everyone hustles, we’ve got good players but you gotta to put the effort out on the court.”

Rangers’ coach Jeff Green said it was great to get the monkey off their back and secure a win.
“At least I’ve got a job for another week, I’ve never started off 0-3 in my whole career whether it’s mini-ball or the NBL so it was new territory for yourself and the team and to start to think about what was going wrong,” said Green.

The Rangers coach said there were three factors that went into their win.
“It was a combination of the defence which we haven’t been able to play on a consistent basis. I think we played great defence which led to great offence so we got a lot of easy points off transition. So that put them under a lot of pressure and then I thought offensively in the half court our execution was outstanding we ran some plays that were good. And the third factor was our big guy Terrence Roberts came to play he showed he is 6ft 10in with a 7ft 2in wing span he didn’t foul out that’s because I took him out before he fouled out. But it was all about defence, we ran them off the three point line, they got hot for a little bit but then we kept extending it and they’d come back which is what basketball is all about, swings and roundabouts,” he said.

Green finally saw the team in action that he knew he had.
“When you’re consistent on both ends of the court that’s the sort of team that I know we’ve got. We’re undersized, they’re a beast they got seven offensive rebounds in that third quarter which kept them in it but if they hadn’t got those it would have been a bigger blow-out..”

Mar 24 2016
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NZ NBL, Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns

Basketball duo tie the Knot

BAWARDS_083Shea Ili has had a frantic few weeks and things aren’t about to slow down anytime soon for the Breakers and Tall Blacks point guard. It’s his very own version of ‘March Madness’.

As soon as the Breakers season ended, following their Australian NBL Grand Final series loss to the Perth Wildcats, Ili was back on a plane heading for Wellington to link up with the Saints for the start of the local New Zealand NBL competition.

As if a heavy basketball schedule wasn’t challenging enough Ili returns to Auckland to marry fiancée Morgan Roberts today.

The pair have been sustaining a long-term relationship for the past seven months since Roberts began attending Oregon Tech University on a basketball scholarship last August. Roberts is an outstanding player in her own right earning a Tall Ferns trial last year after eye-catching performances for the North Harbour Under 23 and Harbour Breeze WBC teams.

Following the nuptials the pair will embark on a brief honeymoon before continuing their basketball careers on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean and yet more time apart.

Ili made a strong impression on the Breakers coaching staff during the recent campaign and despite being a development player was preferred to the more experienced Shane McDonald in all five play-off games. The deciding third game in Perth was an experience the 23 year old admits caught him off guard.

“It was an experience to learn from but I felt like I wasn’t prepared to play in front of such a massive crowd. It was so loud you couldn’t even hear your teammates.”

Playing directly opposite Perth’s Damian Martin, the Grand Final MVP and five times NBL Best Defensive Player, enabled Ili to see first hand the level he wants to take his game to.

“It was definitely something to learn from playing against such a great defensive player. I look up to him and the way he plays, it’s how I want to be – a pest on defence.”

Taking his game to a higher level is the major motivation behind his move to the capital. At the Saints he falls under the guidance of former Breakers guard, now Wellington coach, Kevin Braswell.

“I’m enjoying playing for Wellington with the responsibility of being the starting point guard. My role is to lead the team and take them as far as I can. One of the main reasons for going to Wellington was to be mentored by Kevin, he’s been around the world playing basketball and I thought it was a good opportunity especially to help my scoring and offensive game.”

The Saints have given their point guard leave of absence to tie the knot, although not for long.

“We go to Fiji for four days then when we get back I head straight down to Southland to play the Sharks and Morgan heads back to college,” says Ili.

Having had his first taste of international basketball in 2015 the former Onehunga High School standout is keen to make the Tall Blacks team again but it could come at a price for the hoops duo.

“We will be together for a couple of weeks when Morgan’s academic year is finished in June but if I make the Tall Blacks I probably won’t see her again for over a year.”

It’s likely Skype will be keeping Shea and Morgan linked for some time yet.

Mar 22 2016
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NZ Breakers, Uncategorized

Vickerman’s parting speech

ANBL - SkyCity Breakers v Melbourne United, 21 November 2014

Dean Vickerman “Everyone changing a little” turned the season around  

By Murray McKinnon

The SKYCITY Breakers celebrated another successful season in the Australian National Basketball League with their annual awards dinner at SKYCITY Convention Centre last Friday. The most successful of any New Zealand sporting franchise playing in a trans-Tasman competition, the Breakers reflected on a year in which they finished the regular season in fourth place and went on to play in their fifth grand final series in the past six years.

It was a night of reflection as the club said farewell to foundation administrator and current CEO Richard Clarke and Head Coach Dean Vickerman, with 13 and 9 years’ service respectively.

Both were afforded worthy and emotional tributes from players, colleagues and coaches. 
Vickerman in his stirring farewell speech spoke of being an Aussie and being accepted instantly as a Kiwi and for his respect for owners Paul and Liz Blackwell.

“I’d like to thank Paul and Liz Blackwell. They have been absolutely amazing they just help you with your decisions in life. They are parents of the largest family and the most diverse and growing family in New Zealand, the SKYCITY Breakers, they impact for the better every day. We talk about it as being the greatest ownership in pro sports and to me you’re the greatest parents in sport.”

He then went on and paid tribute to Richard Clarke.

“The next person I want to thank is Richard Clarke. He challenged me every day about the processes of how we did things and how I did things. He never let me look too far ahead, that was the job of Mike Fitchett to make sure that he was looking ahead for me. But Richard always challenged me with the ‘why’ and there was a great place that we got to in our relationship was about the ‘why’. And for ever as a coach I take away from our relationship will be have a self- assessment and I’ll always judge myself about how well I’m coaching and the ‘why’.”

Vickerman then reflected on the past season.

“To the playing group and the wives and partners thank you for your commitment to the vision that we had as a team for the amazing roller coaster ride that we went on this year and you took me on and you took everybody else on. It started with Corey being in the NBA and then went to Melbourne where there was an absolute debacle of a referring decision. We had a great home stretch going on where we just felt a little invincible at home.”

“We had Breaker babies and then the announcement of Richard and myself and some of the leadership moving on. We went through a losing streak and then we played just an amazing game of basketball in Adelaide when we needed to. We make the playoffs we go ahead and sweep the number one seed in the comp and then we challenged for another championship under trying conditions. It was a difficult time to go and try and win that third game in Perth, but we never made any excuses and they never made any excuses and we gave it everything we had.”

Vickerman touched on the losing streak that the Breakers endured.

“On Wednesday I went out and sat with Andrew McFadden from the Warriors and we created a bit of a relationship over the last couple of years and we sat there and talked about how do you get out of that losing streak, how do you win when you are in it. We talked about the tough times of what you went through with the injuries and different things but most of all it was about everybody just changing a little bit. Everybody just stepping up their leadership and that’s how we got out of it, everybody just stepped up a little bit more, took ownership of what they did as a player and then the leaders could just go and play and play freely and do the thing they do best for the team. So I want to thank everyone of the playing group and the support staff and the office staff for that, to get out of that hole and to go and win eight out of the last ten games and give ourselves a chance to win the championship was pretty special.”

On being accepted into New Zealand.

“When we moved to another country or join any team one of the first things you want is an acceptance. When we moved to New Zealand it is was easy for me to be accepted as I knew a few people who I had competed against, but to have our family just so accepted by the Breakers’ family was unbelievable and a memory that we will have of the Breakers. But one of the memories as a family that we will take away was in Melbourne the whole playing group, support staff and everyone who was in Melbourne had gone and practiced a Haka and I thank Paul Henare for organising it. And to sit there when they did the Haka you felt unbelievable acceptance in the New Zealand culture and great respect for it to have that Haka presented to you and to your family in the spirit that they did it and how well they did it was just a great memory.”

On deciding to leave.

“To move on was something in the back of my mind. To say yep I’m an Aussie in New Zealand and as much as I was accepted and some people call me somewhere in the middle between an Aussie and a Kiwi, but I was always an Aussie and it was always part of my role to be here and when I took the job in that three years I really said I want to get this done and give it all my energy for three years and do the best I can, but I want to leave it to a Kiwi and to now have Paul Henare take over and succeed as head coach, have Judd Flavell move up to assistant coach and have Mike Fitchett move up to the next assistant coach role, I’ve walked away unbelievably satisfied with what I’ve been able to achieve in helping to develop those guys to take on this role and to have Kiwis own this team for the next period of time.”

Mar 21 2016
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Kiwi's Abroad, Tall Ferns, Uncategorized

Micaela Cocks – Grand Final MVP

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Micaela Cocks -WNBL Grand Final MVP

Micaela Cocks has achieved something very few New Zealand basketball players have achieved in overseas competition, men or women. Not only did she win a back-to-back Australian WNBL championship with Townsville Fire but she also walked away with the Grand Final MVP award.

Townsville entered game two of the best of three WNBL Grand Final series with a 1-0 advantage courtesy of a 73-57 victory in Perth last weekend and secured the title with an 80-70 triumph.

The former North Harbour point guard scored 13 points at a terrific clip – 4 from 7 shots made including all three attempts from beyond the arc – and added 3 rebounds and 3 assists. These numbers, added to her 15 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists in the first game earned Cocks the Rachel Sporn medal much to her surprise.

“It feels good to get this award but I wasn’t expecting it at all and I just went into the games trying to focus on my defence. It feels amazing and especially to be back-to-back champions, it’s hard thing to do and we did it,” she said

Game two was a carbon copy of the first as the Lynx entered the final quarter of the game holding a narrow lead – 57-61 in this one – but struggled to score against the lock down defence employed by the defending champions. In game one Perth was outscored 28-7 in the final period and in game two it was 23-9 as Townsville made the most of home court advantage to secure a second championship in as many years.

Fellow international Chevannah Paalvast didn’t get on the court for Townsville in game two whilst Toni Edmondson battled hard for Perth Lynx finishing with three points, two points and four assists.

US College – Women

Kalani Purcell tasted her first NCAA Tournament action on Sunday but Brigham Young University-Provo Cougars fell in the first round going out 78-69 to Missouri.

Trailing 60-49 at three quarter time the Cougars made a terrific effort in the fourth quarter getting within two points 66-64 with 2:19 to play. Unfortunately that was as close as it got for BYU as Missouri hung on to advance to round two.

As she has been all season Purcell was at he heart of the BYU effort reeling off yet another impressive stats line of 19 points (7/10FG), 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

Europe – Women

Le Mura Lucca (22-2) still hold on to top spot in the Italian Serie A despite losing 68-66 to second on the table Familia Schio (20-3) on Sunday. Lucca’s twelve game winning streak was ended by their nearest rivals in a tight and absorbing contest. The scores were tied at 66 apiece but a controversial turnover call allowed Schio possession with 20 seconds on the clock. The defending champions made the go ahead basket with just 6 seconds to play and held on to gain a valuable away win to solidify their second place on the standings. 

 Tall Fern Jillian Harmon scored 16 points for Lucca.

Mar 17 2016
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Tall Ferns, WBC, Womens Basketball

Franklin powers Waitakere Lady Rangers to win

A dominant performance from Deena Franklin propelled Waitakere Lady Rangers to an exciting 84-79 Women’s Basketball Championship overtime win against the Auckland Counties Manukau Lady Hawks at Allan Brewster Recreation Centre on Wednesday evening.

The former Harbour Breeze player produced a 34 points and 17 rebounds display that will have caught the eye of national selectors. Waitakere coach Aik Ho was impressed with his forward’s form.

Deena

Deena Franklin

“Deena’s a warrior, she’s been consistent at the last tournament and in this game. She’s definitely got a shot at the Ferns; we’ve talked about that. The challenge for Deena is to play out in the three spot a bit more and you saw her handling the ball tonight. Really proud of her as traditionally she’s been chucked on the inside to be the workhorse”.

Franklin got the scoreboard ticking early in the game and aided by a pair of Stevee Theyers threes helped the visitors to a 23-15 quarter time lead. Waitakere continued to pick holes in the ACM zone defence and increased the advantage to 43-31 at the half.

Whatever Hawks coach Tania Hunter said during the interval worked a treat as her charges embarked on a 9-0 run. The run was capped by a Breana Jones triple as the Rangers failed to score in the opening four minutes of the second half.

The momentum was with the Hawks as Jones, Jordan Hunter and Milomilo Nanai, back from injury, continually found their way to the hoop to level the scores at 53 apiece entering the final stanza.

Fortunes ebbed and flowed in the fourth quarter as the lead changed hands on numerous occasions. Franklin scored with just under three minutes to play to give Waitakere a 68-64 lead but Jones struck back with a three. Katelin Noyer then sank a long two to give Waitakere a 70-67 lead with ninety seconds remaining but again Jones hit a triple (5/10 3PG) and although both teams had scoring opportunities the game headed to overtime with the scores locked at 70 all.

The Hawks, last year’s beaten finalists, continued to struggle to contain Franklin who scored the first couple of baskets of the overtime period. Her inside presence was complimented by a mature performance from Junior Tall Ferns point guard Darci Finnigan and the all round ability of Maria Milani as the visitors ran out winners, 84-79.

The win moves the Lady Rangers to second on the standings and naturally pleased Ho.

“Awesome game from the girls, I thought we had a good chance in regulation time when we had the last possession but it happened in overtime instead. I’m proud of the defence and also giving up so few turnovers against a good Lady Hawks team.”

Both teams head to the second WBC tournament in Nelson, April 1-3.

Final score:

ACM Lady Hawks 79 – Jones 23, Hunter 17/6/6a, Nanai 17, Hannah Turton 8, Hailey Moala 7/9r.

Waitakere Lady Rangers 84 – Franklin 34/17r, Milani 16/9r, Theyers 9/8r, Courtenay Le’au’anae 8.

WBC current standings:

4-0 Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats

4-1 Waitakere Lady Rangers

4-2 ACM Lady Hawks

3-1 Waikato Wizards, Oceana Gold Rush Otago,

2-2 Taranaki Thunder

1-3 Tauranga City Coasters, Nelson Sparks

0-4 Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix

0-5 Capital Flyers

 

 

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