The New Zealand U17 Women’s National team were defeated 77-57 by Australia in their second game at the FIBA Asian Championship, in Amman, Jordan on Saturday.
Lily Taulelei made the opening score for New Zealand but picked up an injury soon after and unfortunately was unable to take any further part in the game.
Her rebounding ability was severely missed as the Kiwis lost the battle on the boards 61-34.
Maia Jones (12 points) and Tannika Leger-Walker (11 points) were the only Kiwis to post double figures although there were other strong performances from Ritorya Tamilo and Ashley Rean. The pair scored 8 points apiece while guard Layla Cameron produced a pugnacious performance with team high’s in rebounds (6) and assists (4) to add to 2 points and a steal.
Leger-Walker scored 9 points in the opening period, closing the frame with an And-1 play and a buzzer beater from beyond the arc to take New Zealand to a 20-18 advantage after they had trailed 10-2 early on.
Rean scored New Zealand’s first points of the second period but Australia then enjoyed an 8-0 run until Rean made a pair of free-throws.
Cassidy Lacey-Rameka hit a sweet baseline jumper, Tamilo scored inside and Karereatua Williams hit a deep three – New Zealand well in the contest at half-time trailing 40-31 despite being outscored 22-11 in the quarter.
Rean added to her tally with a pair of baskets and Jones struck from deep but the third was a period that belonged to Australia, ahead 57-40 with ten minutes to play.
New Zealand enjoyed a good three minutes at the commencement of the fourth as a brace of Jones’ threes was followed by a pair of inside baskets from Tamilo – the deficit trimmed to 11 points (61-50).
However, that was as close as the Kiwis could get outscored 16-7 in the closing minutes – an encouraging performance despite the scoreline.
New Zealand now have a day off before facing India in their third round-robin game. A win in that game will cement a top four finish at the Asian Championship and with it a place at the U17 Women’s FIBA World Cup next month.
New Zealand 57 – Jones 12pts (4/9 3PG), Leger-Walker 11pts, Rean 8pts, Tamilo 8pts, Lacey-Rameka 6pts, Ohia 3pts, Williams 3pts, Cameron 2pts, 6rebs & 4assists, Brown 2pts, Taulelei 2pts
Australia 77 – I Juffermans 22
New Zealand Schedule: (times given are local in New Zealand).
Friday June 24 v Korea W 80-63
Saturday June 25 v Australia L 77-57
Monday June 27 v Japan at 6.00pm
Tuesday June 28 v India at 8.15pm
Wednesday June 29 – Semi-Finals (time TBC)
Thursday June 30 – Final & 3rd/4th play-off games (time TBC)
The Asian Championship, postponed from 2021 due to Covid, doubles as a Qualifying Tournament for the U17 Women’s FIBA World Cup to be played in Hungary, July 9-17. The top four teams in Jordan will qualify for the Word Cup.
All games will be shown live via https://nz.basketball/tv/
Links to the streaming, rosters, statistics and live stats can be found here: https://www.fiba.basketball/asia/u16women/2022
U17 Women’s National Team
Ivy Brown – North Canterbury
Layla J Cameron – New Zealand
Waimanu Clarken – Basketball Auckland
Maia Jones – Nelson Basketball
Cassidy Lacey-Rameka – Rotorua Basketball Association
Tannika Leger-Walker – Waikato Basketball
Carly Ohia – Rotorua Basketball Association
Amy-Lee Pateman – Harbour Basketball
Ashlyn Rean – North Canterbury
Ritorya Tamilo – Basketball Auckland
Lily Taulelei – Wellington Basketball Association
Karereatua Williams – Canterbury
Unable to travel due to injury
Elise Gilbert – Waikato Basketball
Lauren Whittaker – Canterbury
Head Coach – Lori McDaniel
Assistant Coach – Pina Lissaman
Assistant Coach – Ryan Dubbledam
Team Manager – Jemma Lawton
Physio – Kylie Cox
Team Doctor – Dr Kaylie Baker
