The 2degrees Tall Ferns Select team have been beaten 125-57 by Japan in Tokyo on Thursday. It proved to be a baptism of fire for a largely inexperienced Tall Ferns Select team, as just four of the team have played for the full national team.
In front of a 10,000 plus crowd, a strong Japanese team, – comprising of their Paris Olympics-bound athletes – gave an exhilarating exhibition of their speed and offensive firepower. Japan put up 55 three-point attempts in the game, making 25 at 46% and converted 19 from 27 at 70%. New Zealand in comparison shot 36% (5/14) from three and 55% (18/33) from inside the arc.
Gonzaga University freshman Lauren Whittaker was a standout for New Zealand, demonstrating that she has the potential to be a mainstay of the Tall Ferns for the foreseeable future. The teenage forward amassed 20 points, making 2 from three from beyond the arc and 9 from 14 overall. Fellow Cantabrian Esra McGoldrick also produced a quality performance – adding 15 points to a team-high 9 rebounds.
On the back of McGoldrick’s effort, New Zealand enjoyed parity on the boards with the count being 34-32 in their favour.
Tera Reed (9 points), the most experienced member of the Select team with 16 full international caps to her name, was joined in the starting five by Grace Hunter, McGoldrick, Whittaker and Tara Manumaleuga.
New Zealand were on the receiving end of a 3-point shooting clinic from Japan in the opening quarter, as they made 8 from 14 attempts at a blistering 57%. Whittaker was the go-to for the Kiwis, scoring 10 points as they trailed 39-15 at quarter time.
In the second period, Waiata Jennings provided a spark off the bench for New Zealand scoring with a penetrative drive, dropping a corner three and then finding McGoldrick with a delightful assist. Amiee Book also nailed a three but New Zealand were on the wrong side of a 67-34 scoreline at half-time.
On the resumption, McGoldrick made a tough layup in traffic and Whittaker another inside basket, despite Japan – in a mark of respect to the teenage forward – double-teaming her on every catch.
Texas Christian University graduate Manumaleuga, making a strong showing at point guard, landed a high three and Reed some free-throws as New Zealand hit the three-quarter mark trailing 92-49.
With a number of the New Zealand team still in their American collegiate pre-season, they were understandably tired in the closing stages as Japan eased to a hundred points and beyond.
Playing under Tall Ferns Interim Head Coach Natalie Hurst, the Tall Ferns Select Team will look for an improved performance when they play the second of two games against Japan on Saturday 6 July from 4.30pm NZT.
Stats:
New Zealand Select 57 – Whittaker 20 PTS | McGoldrick 15 PTS, 9 REBS & 2 BLK | Reed 9 PTS | Jennings 5 PTS |Book 3 PTS | Manumaleuga 3 PTS, 8 REB & 5 AST | Parke 2 PTS
Japan 125 – M Yamamoto 20 | E Mawuli 17
Quarter Scores: 15-39, 19-28, 15-25, 8-32
Box score: https://bbnz.link/JapanFriendly_G1
2degrees Tall Ferns Select Team
Aimee Book
Ella Bradley, University of Texas at Tyler (NCAA Division II)
Grace Hunter, California State University, Bakersfield (NCAA Division I)
Waiata Jennings, Baylor University, (NCAA Division I)
Eva Langton, Norwood Flames, (NBL 1 Central)
Tara Manumaleuga, Texas Christian University (NCAA Division I)
Esra McGoldrick, Mainland Pouākai
Lilly Parke, Fairleigh Dickinson University (NCAA Division I)
Tera Reed, Keilor Thunder (NBL 1 South)
Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga University (NCAA Division I)
