NZ U16s Lose Opener
Tagged in: National Teams
Despite 23-point efforts from Counties Manukau’s Josh Young and Waikato’s Kurt Heatherley, the New Zealand U16 team dropped their opening game at the Australia U16 Championships in Tasmania.
The Kiwis led for the majority of three quarters against Victoria Country before falling away in the fourth to fall 99-85 in Ulverstone.
Heatherley shot 9-of-10 from the field and 5-of-12 from the free-throw line, grabbing nine rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes, while Young went 9-of-18, including 4-of-10 from distance, picking off five steals and two rebounds in 33 minutes.
New Zealand, coached by Seth Weakley, led by five points after the opening period and by 10 points at halftime but could not hold off Vic Country as they stormed back in the third and fourth quarters. Vic Country outscored NZ 61-37 in the second half.
Despite being outrebounded 42-33, the Kiwis forced their opponents into more turnovers, 28-24, but couldn’t match their 53.7 percent shooting from the field.
Counties Manukau’s Reuben Te Rangi managed 13 points, shooting 6-of-14 field goals, while Harbour’s Mat Lacey provided five points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals.
On day two on Sunday, the NZ boys face Northern Territory at 6pm (NZ time), while the NZ girls, coached by Rachel Gwerder, will be in action for the first time against New South Wales Country at 2pm (NZ time).
Australia U16 Championships
Ulverstone, Tasmania
Saturday, July 11
Victoria Country 99 (Sean Massey 26) New Zealand 85 (Kurt Heatherley 23, Josh Young 23, Reuben Te Rangi 13)
1Q: 15-20
HT: 38-48 (23-28)
3Q: 64-65 (26-17)
FT: 99-85 (35-20)
