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Both Kiwi teams kept their title dreams alive, but the women watched their hopes teeter in the balance as they barely took out the second leg of a double-header at the Australian U16 State Championships at Logan, Queensland.

Harbour guard Tai Webster scored 17 points (7/15 FG, 1/2 3pt, 2/3 FT) led the NZ men to a 97-88 win over West Australia Metro and are now unbeaten after two games.

The Kiwis seized control of an otherwise even game with a 36-24 second quarter, out-rebounding their opponents under their own boards, outscoring them by 28 points in the paint and shooting 48% FG.

But West Australia stayed in contention by forcing 26 turnovers and out-shooting New Zealand from the free throw line, despite fewer chances.

Waikato’s Delroy Heu contributed a double double of 10 points/11 rebounds as seven NZ players scored in double figures.

On Tuesday, they face an early encounter with winless South Australia Country, then return to meet unbeaten Victoria Country, runners-up last year.

Having their lost their tournament opener to defending champions Victoria Metro, the NZ women must probably win their remaining pool games to qualify for the semifinals.

They stayed on course with by overcoming 2009 runners-up South Australia Country 57-41 on Tuesday morning, snatching the lead with 11 offensive boards in a 16-11 second quarter, then scoring 16 consecutive points either side of the halftime break.

Only Hutt Valley’s Stella Beck scored in double figures – 11 points (3/6 FG, 5/6 FT) – as Waitakere forward Penina Davidson grabbed 10 rebounds (eight OR).

The young women seemed well in command of their evening match-up against West Australia when they unleashed an early 20-point run and held a 17-point halftime advantage.

But that lead evaporated over the second half and with 26 seconds remaining, the score was tied at 51-51. Davidson put her team clear with a decisive three-point play and the Kiwis ultimately survived a shot on the buzzer that could have sent the contest into overtime.

Davidson led the way with a double double of 26 points/14 rebounds, while Harbour forward Deena Franklin emulated that feat with 14 points/11 boards.

They survived despite conceding 13 turnovers in the third quarter alone (36 for the game), and could again thank their aggression around the offensive glass – 20 OR, 36-24 in the paint and 17-5 made free throws.

New Zealand face Queensland North (1-1) on Tuesday.

Australian U16 State Championships

Logan, Queensland
Monday, July 5
Men
New Zealand 97 (Tai Webster 17, Sesilili Palei 12, Kurt Heatherley 11, Mark Kelly 11, Nico Buckrell 10, Brandon Gleeves 10, Delroi Heu 10) West Australia Metro 88
Q1 19-23
HT 55-47 (36-24)
Q3 78-69 (23-22)
FT 97-88 (19-19)

Women
New Zealand 57 (Stella Beck 11) South Australia Country 41
Q1 9-11
HT 25-22 (16-11)
Q3 43-31 (18-9)
FT 57-41 (14-10)

New Zealand 55 (Penina Davidson 26, Deena Franklin 14, Stella Beck 10) West Australia Metro 53
Q1 12-9
HT 35-18 (23-9)
Q3 45-36 (10-18)
FT 55-53 (10-17)