The New Zealand U17 Men’s team have settled for Silver tonight at the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships in Papua New Guinea, after losing 49-96 to Australia in the Grand Final match.
Despite the loss, the Kiwis accomplished their number one goal heading into this tournament; finishing in the top two and securing a ticket to the FIBA U18 Asian Champs in 2024.
Australia were dominant in this game, finishing the tournament with an unbeaten record over 5 games – their tightest margin a 84-72 win over the Kiwis during pool play. After falling behind 26-57 after the first half thanks to some brilliant Aussie shooting, the Kiwis were unable to fight back in the second frame.
Australia shot 52% from the field on the night while holding New Zealand to just 28%, while controlling the boards (51 to 30) and dominating in nearly every statistical category – including 52-24 advantage in points in the paint.
The Kiwis were led by Nic Book with 11 points & 5 rebounds, Carter Hopoi adding 9; Joshua Wyllie and Mahnaya Heke with 6 points apiece, Tama Isaac chipping in with 4 points, 5 rebounds and a pair of steals.
For Australia, Jacob Furphy led all scores 21 points, while Roman Siulepa scored 15 of his 20 points in the first quarter and added 10 rebounds. Jack Whitbourn had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
It was Siulepa’s first-quarter scoring efforts that put the Aussies ahead 30-18 after one; the 6’5” forward pouring in 15 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting. As a team Australia shot a blistering 73% from the field in the period, including 4/5 from downtown to establish their early dominance.
The struggles continued for the Kiwis in the second quarter, as Australia outscored them 27-8 in the period; the Junior Tall Blacks shooting just 2/14 from the field, missing all nine of their three point shot attempts and unable to contain the Aussies inside.
Things didn’t get much better for New Zealand in the second half as Australia pounded the ball inside; scoring 16 points in the paint in the third period alone. Both teams were visibly tired in the final frame, but Australia continued to run up the score – ending in a 96-49 victory and a well-deserved gold medal.
The Junior Tall Blacks now return home to New Zealand, after a gruelling schedule that saw them playing 5 games in 5 nights. Congratulations to the squad for winning Silver and for securing their entry into the 2024 Asian Champs.
Stats:
New Zealand 49 – Book 11 PTS & 5 REBS | Hopoi 9 PTS | Heke 6 PTS | Wyllie 6 PTS | Christof 5 PTS | Isaac 4 PTS & 5 ASSISTS | Hunt 3 PTS | Treacher 3 PTS | Halaifonua 2 PTS
Australia 96 – Furphy 21 PTS | Siulepa 20 PTS & 10 REB | Whitbourn 12 PTS & 11 REB
Box Score: http://bbnz.link/U17MNZLvAUS2
Quarter scores: 18-30, 26-57, 38-79, 49-96
FIBA U17 Men’s Oceania Championships – NZ Results
3 Oct – NZL vs PNG (WON 108-32)
4 Oct – NZL vs Australia, (LOST 72-84)
5 Oct – NZL vs Samoa, (WON 102-83)
6 Oct – NZL v Guam, (WON 137-39)
7 Oct – NZL v Australia, (LOST 49-96)
U17 Oceania Champs – NZ U17 Men’s Squad
- William Blight, Nelson Basketball
- Nicholas Book, Canterbury Basketball
- Christopher Christof, Otago Basketball
- Ezrah Eagle, Basketball Hawkes Bay
- Julius Halaifonua, NBA Academy/ Harbour Basketball
- Mahnaya Heke, Waikato Basketball Association
- Carter Hopoi, Tauranga City Basketball
- Ryan Hunt, Waitakere
- Tamatoa Isaac, Canterbury Basketball
- Kahuranaki Treacher, Team Takeover National
- Manaia-Ariki Wharepapa, Canterbury Basketball
- Joshua Wyllie, Harbour Basketball
- Xanda Marsters (Rotorua Basketball Association) was originally selected but forced to withdraw due to injury.
