Krystal Leger-Walker continued the good Tall Ferns form she enjoyed at the FIBA Asia Cup with a stats stuffing 17 points (6/7FG, 3/3 3PG, 2/2FT), 8 assists, 7 steals and 3 reboundsas Washington State thumped Northwest Nazarine 113-45. Charlisse L-W finished with 16 points (6/18FG) and 9 rebounds.
The University of Southern California won a totally one sided affair against Antelope Valley 120-34. After a standout 4-year career at Virginia Commonwealth Tera Reed began her time at USC with 9 points (4/5FG), 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a couple of steals
Amiee Book also transferred at the end of the last academic year. Sheplayed her first game at Fresno State following her move from the University California State Fullerton during the off-season. In fact it was her first outing since mid-January having incurred a season ending ankle injury back then. Book finished with 5 points, and a couple of rebounds.
In the NAIA Rocky Mountain forward Maxim Stephens bossed the boards against Warner Pacific sweeping up a colossal 16 rebounds to go with 9 points in a 10-point (72-62) loss to Warner Pacific.
Debutants:
Neither troubled the scorers but Paora Winitana (BYU) and Akiva McBirney-Griffin (University California Irvine) made their NCAA Division I debuts over the weekend.
Sam Mennenga kicked off the 2021-22 season with a nice double-double of 14 points (6/7FG) and 10 rebounds (5 at the offensive end) as Davidson College Wildcats clawed Ferrum 98-56 in a pre-season encounter.
Kruz Perrott-Hunt, a 2019 Junior Tall Black World Cup teammate of Mennenga, has also started the season with a flourish. KP-H scored with his first 3-point shot of the season before going on to post 12 points, 6 assists and 3 steals as South Dakota eased past Simpson College 98-47.
Another former Rosmini College guard Marvin Williams-Dunn scored with his only shot in the game – a three – as Ouachita beat Philander-Smith 76-64.
Jessica Moors had her first taste of collegiate basketball as Colorado State University crunched Chadron State 78-43. The 2020 Harbour Breeze guard scored 4 points (making all 4 of her free-throw attempts) and also snared 4 rebounds in 17 minutes on court.
Victoria Ikenasio also scored her first points on debut as Saint Peter’s University Peacocks strutted past New Jersey City 77-60. The 2021 Tall Ferns Camp attendee scored 2 points for the Peacocks.
Kobe King-Hawea began her Division I college career with 7 points as University of Texas at Austin beat Oklahoma Baptist 77-44. Kobe’s brother is former Tall Black Dyson King-Hawea.
In contrast to the debutants Kendell Heremaia is now a 5th year senior at Fordham University. The Rams co-captain dished 3 assists and made one of three 3-pointers as Fordham made light work of Post University winning 84-44 in the Bronx.
Tsubasa Nisbett is also an experienced campaigner. The Georgia Southern co-captain compiled 10 points (5/7FG) and 6 rebounds as the Eagles soared over Allen University winning 111-56.
The trio of Kiwis at Brigham Young University all got on the scoresheet as the Cougars clawed Westminster 73-52.
Tegan Graham scored 7 points, Kaylee Smiler 3 points and Arielle Mackey-Williams 4 points (2/4FG) on debut.
It’s not often you make your college debut against international opposition but that’s what Hannah Wentworth did for Eckerd College.
Recovering from injury, the sophomore transfer from Utah State Eastern, was restricted to just 10 minutes of action as Eckerd took on the Chilean national team.
Te Araroa Sopoaga, Samantha Jenkins and Safena Te Nana-Williams have begun their Junior College careers in impressive fashion this week.
Heck of a debut from Safena Te Nana-Williams for Central Maine College Mustangs. The former St Mary’s College, Ponsonby guard amassed 20 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 7 steals in just 17 minutes!!
Twin sister Leata Te Nana-Williams had 4 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists while Taranaki’s Harata Coleman scored 3 points as the Mustangs butted Northern Vermont – Lyndon 102-67.
Coleman, having transferred from Barton Community College, went even better a couple of days later top scoring with 14 points in the 67-42 win against Villa Martin.
Te Araroa Sopoaga was another to fill the stats line on debut as Cloud County Community College fell agonisingly short in their opening fixture going down 80-79 at Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa.
Wellingtonian guard Sopoaga, who played for Otago Gold Rush last year whilst at Otago University, top scored for Cloud with 20 points and also plundered 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks in an outstanding performance.
Samantha Jenkins made three 3-pointers and totalled 15 points on debut for Dawson Community College as they climbed over Rocky Mountain College 89-46 in their season opener.
Jenkins played at Nayland College, Nelson before moving to Wellington where she suited up for Queen Margaret College.
Isaac Fotu, with a commanding 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks, helped Tochigi Brex beat Chiba Jets 100-75 to improve to 5-4 in the Japanese League East Division.
Also in Japan the Paul Henare and Zico Coronel coached Susanoo Magic are 6-3 in the West Division.
Taki Fahrensohn is averaging 11 points per game but his club Ehingen Urspring are 0-6 in the German Second Division.
Also in Germany Matt Freeman is averaging 10.8ppg for Karlsruhe Lions (3-3) in the same division.
In the Romanian League Max Darling (averaging 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game) has helped propel his club Neptun Constanta into the top six on the ladder with a 4-4 record.
Ashley Taia, who made her Tall Ferns debut at the Asia Cup in Jordan last month, came up with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals but couldn’t prevent Wetterbygden falling 75-66 to Norrkoping in the Swedish League. Wetterbygden have lost three games on the bounce to slip to 2-4 on the season.
Gracie Roberts-Hare scored 6 points (2/2 3PG) as Lekdetec crushed Binnenland 76-45 to improve to 2-2 in the Dutch League.
Callum McRae and Flynn Cameron were both in double figures as University of California Riverside eased to a comfortable 90-56 win against Cal State LA in a pre-season game.
Cameron scored 10 points while McRae, having missed all of last season due to injury, posted 11 points and 4 rebounds.
At Davidson University Sam Mennenga scored a game high 13 points to lead the black team to victory over white in another pre-season scrimmage.
James Moors, like Mennenga a former Westlake and Harbour standout, made a nice start to the season recording 17 points on 7 from 8 shooting as Colorado State thumped Adams State 92-55.
Corey Le’aupepe and Menlo University made a fine start to the season. Menlo beat Warner Pacific 87-78 with the Wellington forward scoring 19 points making 7 from 9 from the field.
Maxim Stephens continued his good early season form with 17 pointsdespite Rocky Mountain Battlin Bears going down 63-60 to College of Idaho.
Tegan Graham (9 points) knocked down 3 from 4 three-pointers as the powerful Blue team beat White 77-40 in BYU’s scrimmage game. Graham led BYU scoring from beyond the arc last season making 46% (38/83) of her shots from deep.
For the white team Kaylee Smiler scored just a single point whilst Arielle Mackey-Williams contributed 2 points and 3 rebounds.
American Amanda Wayment has signed to play for Goldfields Giants in NBL1 West in 2022. The former BYU forward has been a standout for Auckland Dream in the last two NBL seasons.
Some bits and pieces in no particular order from the last 7 days.
Nice to see Sam Waardenburg back in action for Miami University Hurricanes after missing all of last season due to injury. 4p/4r/5a/3b/1st for the former Rangitoto College standout as Miami beat Nova Southeastern 106-95 in a pre-season hit out.
Freshman Taine Murray scored 7 points in his first outing for the University of Virginia, albeit in an internal scrimmage.
In the women’s scrimmage McKenna Dale also had her first run for Virginia since her transfer from Brown University.
No fewer than 5 Kiwis were on show as St Mary’s College California held its men’s and women’s scrimmage. Dan Fotu, Quinn Clinton, Tayla Dalton, Amy West and Jade Kirisome will all have enjoyed the run before the season proper gets underway in early November.
Tsubasa Nisbett (Georgia Southern University) and Tera Reed (University of Southern California) have been named co-captains of their respective teams.
Congratulations also to Molly Cockburn, a sophomore at Miles Community College,elected President of the Student Senate for 2021-22 academic year.
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones was named PacWest Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2020-21 after leading Hilo’s scoring (16.5 points per game). He has been named to the preseason All-PacWest team.
Some teams are already underway in NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) Division I:
9 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Finn McClure on the Milligan University season opener for the Wellington guard.In the same game, a 102-83 loss to Cumberlands, Piripi Korent, the former St Pat’s College Silverstream guard scored 5 points on debut.
Maxim Stephens posted 15 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks in just 15 minutes as Rocky Mountain Battlin Bears overcame Yellowstone Christian 108-79. Kael Robinson had 6 points and a couple of boards on his Bears debut.
For Rocky Mountain women Dominique Stephens had a nice double of 7 points and 9 boards in a 59-50 loss to Montana State Billings. She followed that with 8pts/5rebs/3blks/2stls in the 83-60 win against Viterbo Hawks.
The Canadian university season is also underway and Cantabrian senior Hayden Collier tallied 3 points and 11 rebounds in the season opener for Regina University Cougars.
In NZ New Tall Fern Lauryn Hippolite was named Sportsperson of the Year at last night’s Blues and Golds Awards, which celebrated student achievement in sport, and service to the community. Hippolite will link up with Melbourne Boomers as a Development player in early January.
The Sky Sport Tall Ferns have named a squad of 14 players ahead of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup to be held from 27 September to 3 October and played at the Prince Hamza Hall in Amman, Jordan.
“The last 18 months has been tough. We’re desperate to get back on the floor and represent New Zealand, and this is an awesome opportunity to do just that. It won’t be easy, we’re missing some experienced players and we won’t have a pre-tournament camp due to the trans-Tasman bubble being shut, but when we step onto the hardwood in late September with the black jersey on and the fern on our chests, we’ll be ready,” said Molloy.
The squad will be reduced to 12 before the team travels to Jordan so who makes the cut?
The Covid outbreak in New Zealand prematurely shut down our own NBL competition but the good news for Head Coach Guy Molloy is that with nine of his players based in Australia all but Penina Davidson (based in a locked-down Melbourne) have been playing weekly in the competitive NBL1 competition.
Of the nine players based in Australia seven of them appear to be certain selections.
Micaela Cocks, the veteran of the side will run the point with forwards Kalani Purcell and Penina Davidson two more certain starters.
Ash Karaitiana is another contender for a starting spot having impressed in her international appearances to date as is experienced wing Chevannah Paalvast.
It will be difficult to leave Mary Goulding out of the 12 based on her current form. Goulding has enjoyed a remarkable season in the NBL1 Western Conference with East Perth Eagles where she has led the conference in both scoring and rebounding averaging a stunning 24 points and 13.6 boards per game!
Ash Taia will not be a name familiar to many New Zealand basketball fans.
After schooling in Brisbane she played three-years at Indiana State University playing 79 games for the Sycamores. Since graduating in 2018 Taia has played professionally in Australia.
“Ashley is a wing player who plays physically at both ends and can really shoot the ball. She is a star performer for Logan Thunder in the NBL1 competition and has had Australian WNBL experience with Adelaide Lightning and Canberra Capitals,” said Molloy when announcing her selection.
Taia shapes as a natural replacement for the retired Toni Farnworth.
Tessa Boagni and the Leger-Walker sisters, Krystal and Charlisse, were arguably the three standout players in the New Zealand NBL before it was derailed by Covid.
Boagni marked her return to competitive basketball following childbirth with a massive 34 points and 21 rebounds performance for Canterbury Wildcats against Harbour Breeze in the opening round of the NBL season. It looks a given that she will be the back-up centre to Davidson.
Krystal and Charlisse have never played together for the Tall Ferns but are certain to be given that opportunity in Amman.
Having lost the services of Stella Beck, due to an ankle injury sustained in training, coach Molloy will be delighted to have Krystal available and pushing for the point guard starting berth.
Brooke Blair and Zoe Richards have enjoyed fine seasons in Australia but both appear to be in one on one battles with the New Zealand based duo of Lauryn Hippolite and Ash Kelman-Poto for the last two spots.
Blair averaged 14.6 points per game for Brisbane Capitals in NBL1 and, as she has done throughout her career, shot the three-ball at a more than useful clip (40%).
Hippolite is a fine two-way prospect blessed with speed and athleticism and seemingly suited for contests against the quick guards that Japan and Korea boast.
Molloy described the 21 year-old as, “A crafty left-hander with excellent shooting range and I expect she can make her presence felt in coming years for the Ferns.”
Is 2021 a year too early for the Nelson product?
If selected Ash Kelman-Potu would also be a debutant. Molloy certainly liked what he saw from the power forward at a selection camp earlier in the year.
“Ash had a strong camp in Auckland and although she is battling a chronic ankle injury at the moment, I like the physicality she brings to the team.”
Since then the Harbour Breeze standout has undergone surgery to fix the knee problem, and is back in full training, but as a consequence missed the opening rounds of the NBL season.
In contrast Zoe Richards headed to Western Australia and has regular game time under her belt. She was a consistent performer for Rockingham Flames averaging 8.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Will Richards add to three international appearances she made in 2019 or will Molloy opt for the physical presence of Ash K-P?
We will find out soon as the FIBA Asia Cup begins in just four weeks time with a critical game against Korea looming on September 27. To progress to the next phase of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Australia, New Zealand must finish in the top 4 at the Asia Cup.
They’ll face Japan, Korea, and India in Group A which excites Molloy who says the draw is as exciting as it is challenging.
“There’s no easy draw in a tournament like this. Japan are five time defending champions and were silver medallists at the recent Olympic Games, so that will be a fantastic test for us as a team. Korea are ranked 19th in the world and we have some recent history with them having played them in Auckland in 2019, it’ll be good to see them again.”
Despite having beaten Korea 69-65 back in 2019 in Auckland repeating that performance, with no preparation camp or warm-up games, will be a big ask against opposition that have win the FIBA Asia title on no fewer than 12 occasions.
Why is the Korea tie important?
Take a look at the opposition in Group B – China, Australia, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines.
Assuming we beat India (ranked 70th) in the world and lose to #8 ranked Japan the Korean game becomes highly significant if we are to make the semi-finals and advance to the next World Cup Qualifying Tournament in February 2022.
Lose to Korea and we will likely finish third in Group A therefore facing a cross-over game against the second placed team in Group B – either Australia ranked #3 in the world or #7 China.
Topple Korea, finish second in the pool, and the path becomes significantly easier. A victory against Chinese Taipei (#34) or the Philippines (#51) wouldn’t be a given but you would prefer that match up to a Top 10 nation.
Game schedule (tip-off NZ time):
Monday Sept 27 v Korea (8pm)
Tuesday Sept 28 v Japan (8pm)
Wednesday Sept 29 v India (11pm)
Thursday Sept 30 play-off (TBC)
The Sky Sports Tall Ferns FIBA Asia Cup 2021 14-player Squad
Brooke Blair – Brisbane Capitals
Tessa Boagni – Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats
Micaela Cocks – Townsville Heat/ Platinum Homes Harbour Breeze
In the Girl’s Senior A semi-finals One Tree Hill College took care of business against Northcote College winning 63-48. Brianna Cook (22pts) led the Northcote with normal suspects Savannah Cook and Angelica Vahai scoring 26 and 20 respectively for OTH.
In the other semi St Kentigern, having led by 17 points early on survived a late scare and overtime before prevailing over Mt Roskill Grammar – Masha Pavlenko leading the way with 20 points for St Kent’s.
OTH 63 – S Cook 26, A Vahai 20, Jesse-Lee Upo 9, Harriet Heta 5
Northcote 48 – Brianna Hadley 22, Lizzy May 10, Grace Lai 9, Lucy Shepherd 4
Mt Roskill 57 – Nellie Ioane 15, Eden Ili 13, Tikara Jallow 12, Indiana Chanchui 7
The Boy’s semi-finals also went with form. Sacred Heart College and Mt Roskill Grammar, the top two teams in the regular season, both progressed in reasonably comfortable fashion.
Sacred Heart beat Aorere College 95-77 and Roskill took care of business against Northcote College winning 70-54.
Sacred Heart 95 – Adam Davies 26, Matt Fautuaalii Taia 13, Liston Suasua 13, Josh Stewart 13, Muli Ma’asi 12, Cassius Reynolds 6
Aorere 77 – Devean Danielson 22, Chris Gordon 17, Mathiue Lilo-Drollet 13, Feloni Ngata 12, Franklyne Gordon 8
The finals will be held at Eventfinda Stadium on Thursday August 19.
The Auckland Secondary Schools Girl’s Premier League Grand Final will feature Westlake Girls High School and Baradene College.
Baradene beat St Mary’s College 84-61 with Westlake victorious against Epsom Girls Grammar 83-71.
Kodee Williams-Sefo scored 20 points but it was an uphill struggle throughout for St Mary’s that trailed 39-22 at the half-way mark and 66-36 at three-quarter time.
Denya Topia, Lilly Parke and Ritorya Tamilo all made double figure contributions for Baradene.
Baradene 84 – Tamilo 24, Parke 20, Topia 16, S Faleafa 9, H Burrell 6
St Mary’s 61 – Williams-Sefo 20, K Leslie 12, D Manase 9, A Moore 6
Epsom Girls had the better of the first half against Westlake leading 47-40 with Sarah Joy Aruwa and Flo Dallow doing most the damage.
It was a different story after the break, Westlake giving up just 24 points in 20 minutes. At the offensive end Lake were well served by Izzy Pugh, Rosie Dil and Simone Barnard.
Westlake 83 – Dil 17, Pugh 13, Barnard 12, H Williams 9, M Chatfield 8, M Boucher 8
Epsom 71 – Dallow 30, Aruwa 21, M Fowler 9, D Forbes 8
Congratulations to Mackenzie Boucher and Flo Dallow who hot-footed to Pulman Arena immediately after the semi-final to make their NBL debuts for Harbour Breeze.
The Westlake v Baradene Grand Final is on Thursday, August 19, 6.00pm tip-off 6.00pm.
The Auckland Secondary Schools Premier League Grand Final will be a ‘Battle of the North’ with Westlake Boys taking on local rivals Rangitoto College.
Rangitoto beat St Kentigern College 80-58 in one semi-final while Westlake had a come from behind to beat Auckland Grammar 93-85
Rangitoto dominated proceedings against St Kentigern winning the opening quarter 20-11, moving to a 42-21 half-time lead and an unassailable 62-38 advantage at the three-quarter mark.
Kazlo Evans (27 points) was a shining light for St Kent’s with George Turner (12 points) the only other player in double figures.
Zeke Priest led the Rangi scoring with 22 points and there were also telling contributions from Zach Riley, Lucas Payne, Kaia Kemp and Jacob Fotu who recorded a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The other semi-final was a far more intense affair. At three-quarter time Auckland Grammar were favourites to progress with a 63-56 lead, only for Westlake to pile on 37 points in the final period making six threes in the process.
Boston Caldwell started the revival with a deep three and from there Christian Martin took control. The Westlake skipper nailed 5 triples in the period – in an astonishing individual display he scored 30 of Westlake’s 37 points in the final ten minutes to carry his team to victory.
In a game of fluctuating fortunes Westlake scored 66 of their 93 points in quarters one and four with AGS, led capably by Jamal Todd and Luka Vea dominated the middle stages.
Rocco Chang, Boston Caldwell and Wade Mackenzie featured strongly as the opening quarter went to Westlake 29-19.
It was all Grammar in the middle periods as Todd, Vea, Caleb Landon and Toby Caldwell looked to be taking the game away from Westlake.
Martin had other ideas!
Westlake 93 – Martin 44 (7/12 3PG), R Chang 16, B Caldwell 15
AGS 85 – J Todd 22, C Landon 14, L Vea 13, T Caldwell 12, W Shortt 9
The Grand Final is scheduled for Thursday August 19.
In the final round of play One Tree Hill College defeated Saint Kentigern College 60-52 to clinch the Girl’s Senior A regular season title.
Mount Roskill Grammar and Northcote College finished tied for third spot with 8-6 records. In the head-to-head Northcote won one encounter by 4 but Roskill won the other by 19 meaning Roskill will play St Kentigern in one semi-final on Friday with Northcote facing One Tree Hill in the other.
The top two teams were tied at the quarter make (15-15) before Angelica Vahai and Milla Eckford edged them ahead at the break 29-26 despite 11 points from Misha Pavlenko.
Ash Tuumaialu three and 6 points from Maia Bennett pushed the St Kent’s score along but Savannah Cook and Vahai ensure OTH stayed ahead at three quarter time (46-39).
Shar Tapling and Tuumaialu kept St Kent’s in touch but a couple of threes from Harriet helped OTH protect their lead.
Sacred Heart 52 – M Pavlenko 12, A Tuumaialu 9, M Bennett 8, S Jones 7
One Tree Hill 60 – S Cook 32, A Vahai 17, Harriet 6
Abby Crane scored a game high 21 points for Sacred Heart but Grace Lai and Bri Hadley ensured Northcote College would head to the semi-finals with a confidence boosting win,
Pukekohe 39 – A Crane 21, M Williams 6, M Talakai 5, S Conroy 4
Northcote 68 – G Lai 14, B Hadley 11, M Aitchison 8, L May 8, A Hodgkinson 6
Also heading to the semis with a win under their belts are Mt Roskill Grammar with four players making double figures in the 76-50 win against Pakuranga College..
Mt Roskill 76 – I Chanchui 15, T Jallow 13, P Chanchui 13, Eden Ili 12, B Ione 6
Pakuranga 50 – T Ly 17, E Vaka 12, N Obasuyi 8, J Koteka 7
AGGS 58 – L Patuwairua 38, G Nikoia 11, M Kohunui 7
Avondale 47 – M Whiu 28, P Rasmussen 7, T Raion 6
Senior A Girl’s Standings
13-1 One Tree Hill
12-2 St Kentigern
8-6 Mt Roskill, Northcote
5-9 Avondale
4-10 Pukekohe, AGGS
2-12 Pakuranga
In the Boy’s Secondary Schools Senior A League Sacred Heart College claimed outright second place on the ladder with a 91-52 win at Macleans College.
Aorere College claimed third spot with a convincing win against Northcote College. Both teams have 10-4 records but Aorere have the better points differential in the head to head thanks to the 33 points win.
Macleans 52 – O Simpson 14, C Mutti 11, B Ananth 7, B Sun 7
Sacred Heart 91 – J Stewart 22, A Davies 16, M Fautuaalii 11, C Reynolds 8, J McKay 8
LACEY LOWDOWN 