After a grueling four days of basketball action in Wellington, The Aon U17 Nationals have found their champions for 2023 – with Nelson claiming the boy’s title and Taranaki earning the girl’s trophy.
Day 3: Boy’s & Girl’s Semi-Finals
Girl’s Semi (1): Canterbury A 73, Waikato 65
Canterbury has earned a solid 73-65 win over Waikato in the first girl’s semi, coming from behind to earn in the win in a game that looked destined to go Waikato’s way heading into the final quarter. With the lead changing hands multiple times in the first three period, Waikato took a 59-52 lead going into the fourth. But Canterbury staged a comeback by going on an 11-0 run to start the fourth – a lead they would maintain for the rest of the game.
Canterbury was led by Eibhlin Leeson and her 19 points and 16 rebounds (7 offensive), while Molly Morrow had 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Ophelia Powell added a 14-point, 10 rebound double-double off the bench, and Indi Beeforth added 9.
Kaelani Albert-Neha poured in 32 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals for Waikato in a losing effort, with Temepara Walker adding 11 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals. Amelia Davidson added 8 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals of her own in a solid effort off the bench.
Box score: https://bbnz.link/3hwmc
Boy’s Semi (1): Nelson 87, Waikato A 64
In the first boy’s semi-final, Nelson registered a come-from-behind, 87-64 victory over Waikato to move into the finals. After heading into halftime down 17, Nelson clawed their way back in the second – going on a 13-0 run at the end of the third to claim the lead – then dominated the final quarter, outscoring Waikato 36-15 to claim the win.
Hayden Jones led the way with an epic 33 points – including 14 of in the final quarter – along with 13 rebounds and 2 blocks; he was supported by James Matthews with 21 points and Kaden Bracey’s 14; Jonty Bond adding 9 off the bench.
For Waikato A, Mahnaya Heke led with 18 points and 5 rebounds, while Merrick Rillstone had 14 points, 11 rebounds and 4 steals. Oliver Wilson added 14 of his own along with 6 rebounds.
Box score: https://bbnz.link/qquw5
Girl’s Semi (2): Taranaki 70, Tauranga 54
Taranaki claimed a 70-54 win over Tauranga in the second semi, building a 20-11 lead after the first quarter and never looking back – not even when Tauranga closed the gap to 4 early in the final period. With both teams evenly matched in the stats column, it was Taranaki’s superior shooting (38% vs 32% for Tauranga) and superior rebounding (50 vs 37) that earned them the victory.
Captain Arna Bright led the way for Taranaki with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, while Hayley Tewhata had 16 & 9 and Paige Taylor tallied 12 off the bench on 6-8 shooting.
Tauranga saw 16 points and 6 rebounds from Kiritiana Patea; Maia Kahura with 13 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Ihipera Nuku and captain Sophie Rogers added 7 each.
Box score: https://bbnz.link/9nh4q
Boy’s Semi (2): Canterbury 91, v Harbour Maroon A 76
The second boy’s semi-final saw Canterbury register a strong 91-76 win over Harbour Maroon A. With scores tied at 72-all with less than 6 minutes left, Canterbury embarked on a 19-4 closing run to put the game away, holding Harbour Maroon scoreless in the final 3 minutes. Canterbury dominated inside throughout this one; scoring 70 of their points in the paint and registering a 23-8 fast break points advantage.
For Canterbury, Ihaka Cate racked up 25 points (on 11-13 shooting) along with 6 rebounds, while Tamatoa Isaac had 18 points and 5 steals; Mana Martin with 16 off the bench.
Harbour Maroon was led by their captain, Jameer Reed and his 16 points and 9 rebounds (6 offensive), while Hadi Alshami tallied a 13 point, 10 rebound double-double along with a pair of blocks. Gus Dallow had 12 & 10 while Joshua Wyllie scored 10 points and 8 assists.
Box score: https://bbnz.link/futde
Day 4: Boy’s & Girl’s Finals
Girl’s Final: Taranaki 73, Canterbury 50
With Canterbury ahead 25-17 mid-way through the second period, Taranaki went on a remarkable 14-0 run to end the quarter ahead 31-25 – a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the game. Both teams shot poorly (32% for Taranaki vs 29% for Canterbury), but the victors controlled many other facets of the game; forcing Canterbury into 22 turnovers – which they directly turned into 25 points – and registering a 6-1 advantage in blocks.
Taranaki’s Arna Bright was again dominant with her 28 points – hitting 6/11 from downtown – and 13 rebounds in an MVP effort. She was supported by Libby Francis with 12, Hayley Tewhata’s 7 & 6 and 6 apiece from Heidi Sextus and Sophie Wilkinson.
For Canterbury, Rafferty Powell had 14 points while Eibhlin Leeson racked up 11 points and a massive 20 rebounds (9 offensive). Ophelia Powell had 12 points and 8 rebounds off the bench.
Box score: https://bbnz.link/517qk
Boy’s Final: Nelson 78, Canterbury 71
The boy’s final was a much closer affair, with Nelson claiming a tight 78-71 win over Canterbury to claim the title. Nelson started strongly, building a 28-14 advantage after the first quarter, but Canterbury bounced back to take a 38-35 lead heading into the second half. With scores tied at 58-all midway through the final quarter, Jonty Bond went on a tear; scoring 18 points in the period – Nelson outscoring Canterbury 20-13 down the stretch to claim the win.
Bond was the stand-out for Nelson in this one with his 30 points; he was supported by Kaden Bracey’s 13, James Matthew’s 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, and 11 points from Jones along with 13 rebounds and 4 assists.
Canterbury was again led by Ihaka Cate, who had 19 points, 11 rebounds and a pair of blocks. Mana Martin and Tamatoa Isaac added 15 each.
Box score: https://bbnz.link/6op4o
Most Valuable Players
Boys – Hayden Jones, Nelson
Girls – Anya Bright, Taranaki
Tournament Teams – Girls
Kalani Albert-Neha, Waikato
Anya Bright, Taranaki
Elise Carline, Otago
Libby Francis, Taranaki
Molly Marrow, Canterbury Red (A)
Tia Pavihi, Wellington
Ophelia Powell, Canterbury Red (A)
Sophie Rogers, Tauranga
Emma-Kaye Schroeder, Harbour Maroon (A)
Sophie Wilkinson, Taranaki
Tournament Teams – Boys
Tamatoa Isaac, Canterbury Red (A)
Jonty Bond, Nelson
Kaden Bracey, Nelson
Ihaka Cate, Canterbury Red (A)
Lachlan Crate, Manawatu
Gus Dallow, Harbour Maroon (A)
Mahnaya Heke, Waikato A
Carter Hopoi, Tauranga
Hayden Jones, Nelson
Troy Plumtree, Wellington
