There’s plenty of talent on display when it comes to the ‘A’ National Championships in Palmerston North in a couple of weeks time, and we’ve selected just a few of the names amongst the many, to keep an eye out for when you’re taking in all the action at Central Energy Trusts Arena.
Haizley Bartlett, Te Aroha College (Year 13)
Last year’s ‘A’ National Championships Foot Locker Defensive Player of the Tournament is back for defending champions, Te Aroha College in 2026.
After tasting the success of a National Champion last year, there’s no doubt he’ll be using his defensive prowess during the tournament to finish his schooling a back-to-back national champion.
Tessa Cook, Ōpunakē High School (Year 13)
Cook led Ōpunakē’s fight at last years Nationals to the tune of 20.3 points per game, as her squad finished a respectable fifth place in 2025. She looks poised to play a big part in their run this year, coming off a campaign where Ōpunakē finished fourth at ‘A’ Premierships in Rotorua where she averaged a tick over 14 points per game.
Awatere Douglas-Karauna, Te Kura o Te Koutu (Year 13)
Te Koutu’s leading scoring in 2025 is back, and is already sending a message to the rest of the ‘A’ competition that he doesn’t look like slowing down. Upping his tournament average from 21.8 points per game at Nationals last year, to 24.4 at Premierships in Rotorua. If he continues to trend upwards, the Year 13 is going to be a tough cover come Nationals.
Manaia Harris, Buller High School (Year 11)
Buller’s go-to-wāhine proved almost unstoppable in the Southern Cup down in Dunedin, scoring 20+ points in 5 out of her 6 games during the tournament, including a massive 38-point explosion against Roncalli College. Her 25 points per game average was enough to see her claim honours as the second highest scorer in the tournament.
Natanahira Lambert, Hato Pāora College (Year 12)
Natanahira was the North Island Premierships third-highest scorer in Rotorua, as the Hato Pāora forward notched up 27.9 points per game across their eight games. A member of Hato Pāora’s bronze medal winning squad last year, the Year 12 student is set to take on a bit more responsibility during this year’s ‘A’ Nationals run, in their bid to go one or two spots higher than 2025.
Karly-Belle Mitchell-Pita, Taita College (Year 12)
Karly-Belle was on fire for Taita College during the North Island Premierships, as the Hutt Valley local stormed her way through the tournament at 27.5 points per game. Taita’s next leading scorer that North Island’s was a tick under 7.0 points, so Karly-Belle will need another big campaign at Nationals, but there’s no doubt this walking bucket can emulate or even better her form at the Premierships.
Kayla Proudfoot, Waimate High School (Year 13)
A member of last year’s ‘A’ Nationals All-Star 5, Kayla Proudfoot led the competition in scoring at an impressive 28.7 points per game.
The Year 13 student is entering another year at Nationals for Waimate, and with a bronze in 2025, there’s no doubt she’ll be looking to take her squad all the way in her final year at school.
Quinn Selfe, St Kevin’s College (Year 12)
St Kevin’s finished 9th at last year’s Nationals, but have made a big statement in taking out the South Island Premierships this year. Their Year 12 guard, Quinn Selfe, is just one of the four starters for St Kevin’s take averaged in double figures during the Premierships. It’s really a do-it-by-committee thing for them, but Selfe is definitely going to be one of their biggest contributors.
Marewa Waerea-Tamai, Te Kura o Te Koutu (Year 12)
With Ngahirata Jennings-Haumaha away on Junior Tall Ferns duty, a lot will fall on Marewa Waerea-Tamai. The young guard had a great 2025 Nationals for Te Koutu, named in the tournament’s All-Star Five alongside teammate Jennings-Haumaha. Te Koutu are looking for a third straight ‘A’ championship in 2026, and although she may not lead the team in scoring, Marewa is no doubt one of the leaders of this kura.
Adam Ward, Garin College (Year 13)
Garin’s Year 13 Sports Leader was a member of the stacked Nelson U20’s squad that took home bronze at the 2026 U20 Foot Locker Nationals in Porirua.
It’s Garin’s first trip to the big dance, and behind 4 30+ point games (including a mammoth 40-bomb against John Paul II High) Garin’s captain led the way at an average of 28.4 points per game during the Premierships. Look out for Adam Ward’s name throughout the tournament, as he’s sure to turn some heads.
