Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) are pleased to announce the final men’s and women’s squads who will participate in the U15 FIBA Oceania Championships in Guam from 21–26 November.
The U15 Women’s National Team includes: Anaiya Nelson, Bailey Flavell, Eden Tapsell, Emma Rogers, Emma-Kaye Schroeder, Keija Miringaorangi, Kodee Williams-Sefo, Pahlyss Hokianga, Sophia Hickey, Storey Sadler, Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna and Zenthia Stowers.
In addition, Ashleigh Tuumaialu, Graecyn Parahi, Jessie Whinwray, Maggie Manson, Mya Tipene-Tagoai and Anahera Worsfold have been named as reserves. Head coach will be Mel Bennett, supported by Sarah Molisa and Frances Tilly as assistant coaches.
The U15 Men’s National Team will be: Dov Silberstein, Gus Dallow, Hayden Jones, Ihaka Cate, Jameer Reed, Lachlan Crate, Liam Van Der Heyden, Merrick Rillstone, Oscar Goodman, Troy Plumtree, Cooper LePou and James Matthews.
Reserves have been named as Kobe Costley, Hunter Te Ratana, Jackson Ball, Mana Martin, Gift Nyonzima and Krisnan-Cole Ioane. The squad will be helmed by Leyton Haddleton as head coach, with Brent Matehaere and Jason Crummer the assistant coaches.
BBNZ National Pathways Manager, Mel Downer says that this tournament is an important step – both for the athletes and for New Zealand’s Junior National program.
“The U15 National Teams are capping off a busy return to international competition for BBNZ’s Junior National program, and we are excited to see them compete,” says Downer.
“The U15 FIBA Oceania Championships is the first step of qualification to the U17 World Cup in 2024, and it gives our athletes their first real taste of what it means to be an international level athlete – and how they stack up against their peers from other countries.
“We’re hopeful that this is the start of getting back to uninterrupted cycles post COVID19, and we believe that this age group possesses the depth and talent to see out the full three years – so we wish them all the best for this tournament.”
These squad selections follow both the BBNZ National Selection Camp – which was held in Auckland on 24-26 April – as well as the U15 Regional Selection Trials held in October 2021 and January this year.
Both teams will head to Guam in November 2022 for the U15 FIBA Oceania Championships.
U15 Women’s National Team
Anaiya Nelson, Waikato Basketball
Bailey Flavell, Harbour Basketball
Eden Tapsell, Tauranga City Basketball
Emma Rogers, Tauranga City Basketball
Emma-Kaye Schroeder, Harbour Basketball
Keija Miringaorangi, Waikato Basketball
Kodee Williams-Sefo, Harbour Basketball
Pahlyss Hokianga, Basketball Hawke’s Bay
Sophia Hickey, Outside NZ
Storey Sadler, Basketball Hawke’s Bay
Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna, Rotorua Basketball
Zenthia Stowers, Harbour Basketball
Reserves
Ashleigh Tuumaialu, Counties-Manukau Basketball
Graecyn Parahi, Basketball Hawke’s Bay
Jessie Whinwray, Outside NZ
Maggie Manson, Southland Basketball
Mya Tipene-Tagoai, Hutt Valley Basketball
Anahera Worsfold, Northland
Coaching & Staff
Mel Bennett – Head Coach
Sarah Molisa – Assistant Coach
Francis Tilly – Assistant Coach
Courtney Wilson – Physio
Maine Mareko-Johnson – Team Manager
Dr Courtney Storm – Team Doctor
U15 Men’s team
Dov Silberstein, Wellington Basketball
Gus Dallow, Harbour Basketball
Hayden Jones, Nelson Basketball
Ihaka Cate, Canterbury Basketball
Jameer Reed, Harbour Basketball
Lachlan Crate, Basketball Manawatu
Liam Van Der Heyden, Waikato Country Basketball
Merrick Rillstone, Waikato Basketball
Oscar Goodman, New Plymouth Basketball
Troy Plumtree, Wellington Basketball
Cooper LePou, Waikato Basketball
James Matthews, Nelson Basketball
Reserves
Kobe Costley, Canterbury Basketball
Hunter Te Ratana, Counties-Manakau Basketball
Jackson Ball, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Mana Martin, Canterbury Basketball
Gift Nyonzima, Basketball Manawatu
Krisnan-Cole Ioane, Hutt Valley
Coaching & Staff
Leyton Haddleton – Head Coach
Brent Matehaere – Assistant Coach
Jason Crummer – Assistant Coach
Jeffrey Huang – Physio
Christina McMillan – Team Manager
Rory Laubscher – Team Doctor
