Basketball New Zealand is proud to announce the 2degrees Tall Ferns squad for the upcoming FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China.
Head Coach Natalie Hurst has named the following squad, that includes two reserves:
McKenna Dale, guard/forward, Tauranga Whai & Mandurah Magic
Tayla Dalton, guard, Townsville Flames
Bailey Flavell, guard, Northern Kāhu & Launceston Tornadoes
Pahlyss Hokianga, guard, Tauranga Whai
Esra McGoldrick, guard/forward, Mainland Pouākai & Casey Cavaliers
Rebecca Pizzey, forward, Eltham Wildcats*
Emme Shearer, guard, Mackay Meteorettes
Ashlee Strawbridge, forward, Mainland Pouākai & West Adelaide Bearcats
Ritorya Tamilo, centre, University of Hawai’i
Ella Tofaeono, forward/centre, Melbourne Tigers
Charlotte Whittaker, forward, Toulouse Metropole Basket
Olivia Williams, guard, University of California – Irvine*
*denotes debutant
RESERVES
Ella Brow, guard, Baylor University
Maia Jones, guard, Santa Clara University
COACHING STAFF
Nat Hurst, Head Coach
Mel Bennett, Assistant Coach
Kerryn Mitchell, Assistant Coach
The squad maintains a solid-core group of players from May’s Trans-Tasman Throwdown, with welcome returns to guard Tayla Dalton, University of Hawai’i standout, Ritorya Tamilo, and forward Charlotte Whittaker who’s recently finished up her French season with Toulouse.
“I’m excited about a few things with this group, including the mix of youth and experience we have. Especially getting access to some of the ladies either finishing college or on their breaks, so we’re stoked to welcome them into the group. Obviously with the Trans-Tasman Throwdown we blooded a lot of new squad members, who we now see heading to their first Asia Cup.”
Hurst has also named two potential debutants in the squad, Rebecca Pizzey and Olivia Williams.
“Olivia brings more length on the wing. She’s a defensive minded player who shows great instincts at that end, and isn’t afraid to make a big play at the offensive end as well. Rebecca is a high IQ player. She also has great length at the defensive end and can stretch the floor at the offensive end. Another mobile big who can handle the ball for us, which is incredibly valuable with Sharne Robati not being available.”
The team is matched up in Group A with China, Indonesia and Korea.
“It’s a tough pool but a good pool for us. We target the first two games and then see what happens from there.”
The first of those two games sees the 2degrees Tall Ferns get their FIBA Asia Cup campaign started against Korea on July 14th, before backing up against Indonesia the following day. The team’s match-up against China on July 16th will bring a conclusion to the team’s pool play matches.
It’s all eyes on one goal for Coach Hurst and the 2degrees Tall Ferns.
“Success looks like getting ourselves through to the next round.”
The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup tips off on Sunday, July 13th and is live on TVNZ Duke and TVNZ+.
