Despite a terrific individual performance from Kavanah Lene, the Junior Tall Ferns have had to settle for silver – after being beaten 87-57 by Australia in the Final of the FIBA U17 Women’s Oceania Championship in Papua New Guinea.
Despite the loss, the top-two finish at the Oceania Champs guarantees New Zealand a place in next year’s FIBA U18 Asian Championships.
Lene scored a game high 27 points on 10/17 from the field, including 4 from 6 from beyond the three-point arc. The Canterbury guard also added team high’s in rebounds (8) and steals (3) in an outstanding all-around game.
Elise Gilbert continued her good tournament form with 10 points, while Tannika Leger-Walker (6 points) became the third playing member of the Leger-Walker family to win a FIBA tournament medal this year – after sisters Krystal and Charlisse earned bronze with the Tall Ferns at the Asia Cup in July.
Australia saw major contributions from Lara Somfai (18 points), Saffron Shiels (14 points) and 13 points apiece from Jade Crook and Sienna Harvey.
The Australian unit won the battle of the boards 48-31 and with their height advantage the points in the paint 54-30. New Zealand shot 34% (21/62) from the field compared with Australia’s 48% (32/66).
Lene made seven points as New Zealand forged a promising 9-5 lead before Australia replied with the next 10 points. A tight opening quarter ended with Australia ahead 20-16.
Lene knocked down her third three, although New Zealand were finding points hard to come by as Australia built a double figure advantage in the second period. Six points in the stanza from Gilbert kept New Zealand in touch, but they gave up the last six points of the half to trail 48-33 at the interval.
The New Zealand offence went ice cold early in the third frame; going over five minutes without a score until Gilbert made a back down basket. The Kiwis had the better of the tail end of the period but still found themselves 65-46 behind at the three-quarter time break.
Despite Lene’s continued excellence, Australia were able to ease their way through the closing minutes to deservedly claim gold.
The Kiwis now return to New Zealand for a break before setting their sights on the next year’s FIBA Asian Championship.
Stats:
New Zealand 57 – Lene 27 PTS, 8 REB & 3 STL | Gilbert 10 PTS | Leger-Walker 6 PTS | Moors 4 PTS | Carline 3 PTS | Lassey 3 PTS | Kohunui 2 PTS | Albert-Neha 2 PTS
Australia 87 – Somfai 18 PTS | Shiels 14 PTS | Crook 13 PTS | Harvey 13 PTS | Bobongie 10 PTS
Box Score : http://bbnz.link/U17WNZLvAUS2
Quarter scores: 20-16, 48-33, 65-46, 87-57
FIBA U17 Women’s Oceania Championships – NZ Results
3 Oct – NZL vs Samoa (LOST 59-74)
4 Oct – NZL vs Australia (LOST 72-81)
5 Oct – NZL vs Papua New Guinea (WON 107-28)
6 Oct – NZL vs Samoa, (WON 88-52)
7 Oct – NZL vs Australia (LOST 87-57)
Watch replays of the NZ games at www.youtube.com/fiba
U17 Oceania Champs – NZ U17 Women’s Squad
- Kaelani Albert-Neha, Waikato Basketball
- Arna Bright, Taranaki Basketball
- Elise Carline, Basketball Otago
- Elise Gilbert, Waikato basketball
- Katie Harrington, Outside of NZ
- Waiheke Kohunui, Rotorua Basketball
- Olivia Lassey, Tauranga City Basketball
- Tannika Leger-Walker, Waikato Basketball
- Kavanah Lene, Canterbury Basketball
- Rebecca Moors, Harbour Basketball
- Tia Pavihi, Wellington Basketball
- Annika Scott, Outside NZ
- Amy Pateman was selected for this squad but withdrew due to injury
