Basketball New Zealand

Tall Ferns assistant coach Kennedy Hamilton-Kereama and forward Lisa Wallbutton (Photosport/BBNZ Graphic)

New Zealand Tall Ferns assistant coach Kennedy Hamilton-Kereama and starting forward Lisa Wallbutton have scooped honours in the South East Australia Basketball League (SEABL).

Hamilton-Kereama was the runaway winner of the SEABL Women Coach of the Year award while Wallbutton finished second in voting for the All-SEABL Women Team.

The pair, now in camp with the New Zealand Tall Ferns preparing for the FIBA Oceania Championship for Women, helped the Albury Wodonga Lady Bandits to an 11-9 record and first-ever playoff appearance.

Hamilton-Kereama received 13 of the 17 first-place votes, finishing with a total of 47 points, 19 ahead of second place. He also picked up two second-place and four third-place votes.

“It’s pretty surprising really,” Hamilton-Kereama said on Sunday. “I thought I’d be in the mix but was surprised I’d won it by so much. It’s good to be recognized but really it comes down to the performance of the players.”

After a rough introduction to the SEABL since 2006, with six coaches in the first three seasons, Hamilton-Kereama guided the Lady Bandits to the postseason. They went on a four-game winning streak to finish fifth, before losing to Dandenong in the elimination final.

“To come from no wins to pretty much equaling the club record for wins and making the playoffs was great.”

Wallbutton, a 1.83m power forward, averaged a double-double in her first SEABL season, finishing third in the league in points and second in rebounding.

The 23-year-old went for 18.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per game during the regular season. The highlight game was 22 points, 16 rebounds and four assists in her second game, helping her earn Player of the Month recognition in March.

“Lisa was fantastic. She had a great season, averaged more than 18 points and 11 rebounds. She was absolutely pivotal in our success. She came up just short of the MVP award to another very good player and there’s no shame in that. She totally deserved her selection and I’m really happy for her.”

Wallbutton received 17 votes, tied with Kilsyth’s Amy Denson, second only to Bendigo’s Kelly Wilson with 19 votes.

Tall Ferns and Albury/Wodonga team-mate Toni Edmondson, who averaged 15.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists, also received six votes, narrowly missing All-SEABL selection.

Hamilton-Kereama, Wallbutton and the Tall Ferns meet the defending world champion Australian Opals in game one of the FIBA Oceania series on Monday night at Porirua’s Te Rauparaha Arena, tip-off 7.30pm.