Basketball New Zealand

December 14, 2009

Tall Fern Micaela Cocks continued her record-breaking US college basketball season for the University of Oregon, compiling a career-high 27 points as the Ducks accounted for Long Beach State 102-70 at home.

Cocks was a perfect 5/5 from beyond the arc, marking the 25th consecutive game she has struck from long distance. She is also the only player on her team to score in double figure in every game this season in an 8-1 start.

In her 100th appearance for UO, the Kiwi guard also added four rebounds and three assists, and combined with backcourt running mate Taylor Lilley for 12/18 3pt. Oregon are now second in the nation for scoring, averaging 89.6 points and trailing only Oral Roberts.

At Monmouth University, Tall Fern rookie Erin Rooney and her Hawks have now suffered three straight losses, their most recent a 54-70 lapse to Columbia University in New York. Rooney had just two points (1/6 FG), two assists and a rebound in 19 minutes as a starting guard as Monmouth fell to 3-6 for the season.

Cantabrian James Holland continued his good form with Bethel Christian Academy, dropping 31 points (10/20 FG, 3/10 3pt, 8/10 FT), five rebounds, two steals and two assists in a 63-53 win over North Hardin Christian. Bethel were 13-2 after a forfeit win over Somerset Christian.

In the Australian NBL, with veteran Tall Blacks forward Pero Cameron expected to be sidelined for six weeks following knee surgery, the Gold Coast Blaze have recruited another Kiwi in Craig Bradshaw.

At 2.05m, Bradshaw will give the Blaze another big body and he could suit up for the Gold Coast as early as this Wednesday away to Adelaide.

Bradshaw who previously played under Gold Coast coach Joey Wright at Brisbane, has subsequently played in Turkey, Spain and most recently with LG Sakers in South Korea.

“He (Bradshaw) can step out and knock down a three just as well as he can play with his back to the basket,” Wright told AAP.

“He’s fairly athletic, not as good as Chris Anstey, but in that mode.”

Bradshaw, who missed Tall Blacks games this season as he chased a professional contract, will join New Zealand team-mates Mika Vukona, recently-added Casey Frank and the recovering Cameron at Surfer’s Paradise.

The Blaze continued their winning roll in Round 12 with an 80-72 victory over Adelaide 36ers.

Vukona had two points (1/3 FG), seven rebounds (including six offensive boards) and an assist in 16 minutes. Frank had two points and three rebounds in six minutes.

Gold Coast are currently the hottest team in the competition with five straight wins.

Former Tall Blacks Phill Jones and Tony Rampton both notched up double-figure scoring as the Cairns Taipans handed Melbourne Tigers an 89-74 loss at home.

Jones, the Cairns captain, scored 12 points (5/7 FG, 1/2 3pt, 1/1 FT), two rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal. With the Tigers welcoming back star centre Chris Anstey, Rampton enjoyed extended minutes and responded with 11 points (4/5 FG, 1/1 3pt, 2/2 FT), five rebounds and an assist in 17 minutes.

The Taipans are now 7-11 for the season.

In the Australian women’s league, defending champions Canberra Capitals, including Kiwi centre Jess McCormack, sounded a warning to their rivals by unveiling superstar Lauren Jackson for their 102-64 win over Perth Lynx.

Jackson, in her first game back after back surgery, led all scorers with 18 points. Her arrival, along with the return of Opals forward Abby Bishop, will mean limited opportunities for McCormack, who logged just five minutes for two points (2/2 FT) and a steal.

The Caps are now 9-5 for the season.

Bulleen Boomers and Kiwi shooter Lisa Pardon remained on top of the table with a pair of wins over Bendigo (90-80) and Dandenong (83-64).

Pardon did not take the court against Bendigo, but had two points, a rebound and an assist in eight minutes against the Rangers. Bulleen are now 13-1.

Tall Fern Toni Edmondson also had two points, four rebounds and two assists in 14 minutes as Dandenong fell to 4-8.

Ferns forward Natalie Purcell stood out with a double-double, but could not prevent her Logan Thunder losing to Queensland rivals Townsville 67-79 at home.

Purcell showed her best form of the season with 21 points (8/16 FG, 3/6 3pt, 2/2 FT), 10 rebounds and three steals before fouling out, while team-mate Suzie Bates also sat early with five points, one rebound and a steal. Logan are 5-8 for the season.

Former NZ captain Aneka Davis was relatively subdued for Townsville, accumulating six points, six rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal, but was back hear her best (19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block) in a 75-94 loss to Sydney University Fire.

The Fire now have a 9-4 record.

In Europe, Tall Black coach Nenad Vucinic and his Kalev/Cramo outfit boosted their chances of defending the Estonian MKL title with a pair of wins in Round 11, including 91-87 on the road against league leaders Rakvere.

Kalev have struggled early with injury, but now seem to have settled on a roster than can contend for the championship. They also handed cellar dwellers Kuremaa a 97-84 loss as they improved to 6-3 for the season.

In Turkey, former Tall Blacks coach Tab Baldwin and his Kepez Bld lost their third straight TBL game, 73-102 to Besiktas and now sit three off the bottom of the competition table with a 3-6 record.

In Belgium, former Tall Black Brendon Polyblank and his Fribourg club remained on top of the LNA standings with a 67-62 over Lausanne and a 12-1 record.

In Germany, Kiwi big man BJ Anthony had 13 points (4/10 FG, 5/8 FT), four rebounds, an assist and a steal in 27 minutes as Herzoege Wolfenbuettel (4-8) edged Skyliners Frankfurt II 83-81 in the ProB.

In Italy, Tall Fern Jillian Harmon starred for Pool Comense, guiding them to their third win of the Lega A season, 65-59 over Umbertide. Harmon, in her first season out of Stanford University, compiled 20 points (9/13 FG, 2/2 FT), eight rebounds, seven steals and two assists as Comense improved to 3-6.