The U18 New Zealand women’s team opened their programme at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China with an 84-47 loss to Japan on Monday.
On a night when the Junior Tall Ferns shooting numbers were distinctly cool, Tannika Leger-Walker was a shining light – scoring 14 points on 5 from 11 shooting, including 2-4 from beyond the arc. Overall New Zealand went 19-54 (35%) from the field and 5-20 from deep, with 6 points apiece from Evie Leeson and Kavanah Lene.
Head Coach Josh Thompson will no doubt be concerned by his team’s turnover count, with the 28 possessions the Kiwis gave up resulting in 32 points for their opponents. Japan also registered a 45-35 rebounding advantage on the night, including 18 offensive boards, while also enjoying a 24-0 fast break advantage on the night.
Japan gave a fine exhibition of their distinctive offensive style of play in the first half, featuring quick ball movement and accurate perimeter shooting. Though they cooled off in the second half after a fast start – when they made seven threes in the opening quarter – they still finished with 13-30 (43%) from beyond the arc and 33-77 overall (43%).
New Zealand found themselves on the back foot from the outset, as Japan made three triples in the opening four minutes to establish a 12-1 lead. After Cantabrian forward Leeson scored New Zealand’s first field goal and Arna Bright connected with the team’s first make from beyond the arc, the Japan lead was 26-8 at quarter time.
Annika Scott made New Zealand’s second triple of the game and although Tauranga guard Olivia Lassey made a pair of baskets at the back end of the second period, the Junior Tall Ferns trailed 47-19 at half-time. It was a half in which Japan had demonstrated their perimeter shooting ability – making 9 from 17 three-point attempts at a heady 53%.
New Zealand came out with much more intent after the interval, keeping pace with Japan in the third as both teams scored 19 points; Elise Gilbert, Lene and Leger-Walker the key contributors, with Tannika scoring 7 straight during this period. Despite this, Japan again had the better of the fourth to win their first victory of the competition.
New Zealand will look to bounce back quickly, as next up is a meeting with perennial powerhouse China; tipping off at 11pm (NZT) on Tuesday. Watch live at www.youtube.com/fiba
Stats:
New Zealand 47 – Leger-Walker 14 PTS | Lene 6 PTS & 6 REBS | Leeson 6 PTS | Lassey 5 PTS & 6 REBS | Gilbert 4 PTS | Bright 3 PTS | Moors 2 PTS| Walker 2 PTS & 3 AST | Nordstrom 2 PTS
Japan 84 – Tanaka 21 PTS | Matsumoto 12 PTS
Box Score: bbnz.link/U18WAC_NZLvJPN
Quarter Scores: 26-8, 21-11, 19-19, 18-9
FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup – New Zealand Schedule and Results
NZL v Japan – LOST 84-47
NZL v China – 11pm NZT, Tuesday 25 June
NZL v Indonesia – 8.30pm NZT, Wednesday 26 June
Junior Tall Ferns Squad for FIBA U18 Asia Cup
Arna Bright, Basketball Taranaki
Elise Carline, Basketball Otago
Elise Gilbert, Waikato Basketball Council
Olivia Lassey, Tauranga City Basketball Association
Evie Leeson, Canterbury Basketball Association
Tannika Leger-Walker, Waikato Basketball Council
Kavanah Lene, Canterbury Basketball Association
Rebecca Moors, Harbour Basketball Association
Shawnee Nordstrom, Waikato Basketball Council
Annika Scott, Logan Thunder (NBL1)
Zenthia Stowers, Harbour Basketball Association
Temepara Walker, Waikato Basketball Council
