The New Zealand U17 Boys’ have made history, becoming the first New Zealand U17 team to win the Oceania Cup following a 82-62 win over their Australian counterparts.
It was just a few days earlier the Australian Crocs surmounted a huge 19-point comeback to snatch victory from under the Junior Tall Blacks noses, courtesy of a 60-37 point second half effort.
After the disappointment of the previous night, the U17 Boys’ would come out all guns blazing in their semi-final against host nation, Samoa.
With eight Kiwi’s scoring in double figures, and a mammoth effort on the defensive end by all – New Zealand would book their place in the Oceania Cup grand final courtesy of a huge 131-27 victory.
A re-match at Tuanaimato Gym against the Crocs beckoned, and the Junior Tall Blacks would look to turn the result around.
The first half would be a close one, with both teams trading blows and the lead. A total of six lead changes in the opening half, would see the JTB’s leading by just a single point heading into the break.
It was the Kiwi’s who would gain the first real significant lead of the game during the third period, buoyed by eight points in two and a half minutes from Hoani Ifopo-Togia, who helped them to a seven point lead heading into the final quarter.
Momentum would continue through to the opening stages of the fourth, with the Junior Tall Blacks continuing to pile on the pressure, opening up a 14 point lead with just under five minutes to go before the Crocs would need to take a time out.
The Australians would briefly get the game back to a single point deficit, but not for long. Cooper Adams sinking the Aussie hopes of another comeback victory with three triples to open and insurmountable 20 point deficit, handing New Zealand it’s first U17 Oceania Cup trophy and the junior programme’s first win over an Australian side at the tournament since 2018.
Hoani Ifopo-Togia capped off an outstanding week, scoring 22 points (9-13 FG) in the final and earning himself the honour of being named tournament MVP after averaging 21 points at a ridiculous 78.3% from the field.
Cole Hopoi was the other Junior Tall Black to score 20 in the final, with 21 points (7-11 FG), 5 rebounds and 3 assists. His 13.6 points, 3.4 rebounds per game averages also earning him a spot alongside Ifopo-Togia on the Oceania Cup All-Star 5.
Earning All-Star 5 honours on the Girls’ side of the equation was Westlake’s Sahara Katene, whose 10 three-point field goals throughout the tournament saw her hit the second most triples throughout the week.
It was also a successful week for the Junior Tall Ferns, who return home with the silver following a tough loss in the final to Australia.
For a large majority of the U17 Girls squad, it was their first experience at the international level, and the progress made during the week was noticeable in their two games against Samoa.
During pool play, the Junior Tall Ferns scratched out a 57-51 victory over the host nation, before improving the margin in the teams semi-final victory (73-56) to book their place in the Oceania Cup final.
Whilst the Australian Sapphires led the game wire-to-wire, there were still plenty of bright sparks for the Junior Tall Ferns, notably Keija Miringaorangi leading the way with 12 points (5-10 FG) and all twelve Junior Tall Ferns seeing at least 13 minutes of court time during the final.
With the two Oceania Cups now complete, this marks the end of an incredible year for Basketball New Zealand’s age group programme, that saw our Junior teams rise as high as fourth in the world (U19 World Cup).
Another very special shoutout to all of our athletes, coaches, management, families & caregivers for all their hard work this year, it was truly one that rocked the boat and put New Zealand further on the map heading into 2026.
JUNIOR TALL FERNS RESULTS
https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-u17-womens-oceania-cup-2025/teams/new-zealand#games
POOL PLAY:
Junior Tall Ferns 95 – 58 Cook Islands
(Katene 19p, Brown 12p)
Junior Tall Ferns 57 – 51 Samoa
(Ashton 12p, Miringaorangi 8p)
SEEDING GAME:
Junior Tall Ferns 48 – 98 Australia
(Katene 9p, Bailey-Nowell 8p)
SEMI-FINAL:
Junior Tall Ferns 73 – 56 Samoa
(Katene 18p, Ashton 17p, 12r, Vukona 13p, 9r)
FINAL:
Junior Tall Ferns 59 – 112 Australia
(Miringaorangi 12p, Katene 10p)
JUNIOR TALL BLACKS RESULTS
https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-u17-oceania-cup-2025/teams/new-zealand
POOL PLAY:
Junior Tall Blacks 145 – 37 Cook Islands
(Ifopo-Togia 21p, Newton 21p, Otunuku 20p)
Junior Tall Blacks 126 – 50 Samoa
(Ifopo-Togia 24p, Newton 15p, Chunga 14p)
SEEDING GAME:
Junior Tall Blacks 87 – 93 Australia
(Ifopo-Togia 23p, Newton 15p, Hopoi & Roberston10p)
SEMI-FINAL:
Junior Tall Blacks 131 – 27 Samoa
(Adams 19p, Hopoi & Ifopo-togia 15p)
FINAL:
Junior Tall Blacks 82 – 62 Australia
(Ifopo-Togia 22p, Hopoi 21p, Adams 11p)
