Basketball New Zealand

Jillian Harmon (Getty Images)

New Tall Ferns coach Kennedy Hamilton-Kereama will take a mix of young and experienced players to Japan as the New Zealand women build towards the 2012 London Olympics.

Five of his squad contested the Beijing Olympics two years ago, but four others will be making their first appearance in the national senior team.

Guards Noni Wharemate, Suzie Bates and Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe, and forwards Jillian Harmon and Lisa Wallbutton provide the veteran leadership on the roster. Wharemate was the Most Valuable Player in this year’s Women’s Basketball Championship, completed over the weekend, while Harmon returns to the team after a year’s absence, playing professionally in Italy.

“We’re very excited to have them both back on board,” says Hamilton-Kereama. “We missed them immensely last year and it will be interesting to see what they bring to the table.”

Perhaps the most intriguing newcomer is Nelson/Taranaki guard Jelena Vucinic, daughter of Tall Blacks coach Nenad Vucinic and former Tall Fern Tatjana Zizic, who is about to head to the United States on a scholarship to Louisianna Tech.

“Jelena is a very intelligent player and has the ability to knock down the open shot,” says Hamilton-Kereama. “That’s something we will need in the systems we’re running.”

Joining her as rookies are Palmerston North guard Jordan Hunter and a pair of recent US college returnees, Harbour guard Amanda Harris and Otago forward Patrice McKenzie.

An inexperienced Ferns outfit lost to Japan three times during their New Zealand tour last year, but the return of Wharemate and Harmon adds some stability to the line-up, while changes in the backcourt should provide additional ball security.

“We believe our height may be an advantage against Japan, but we have also got to stay with them from baseline to baseline,” says Hamilton-Kereama.

“We’re bringing Noni into the mix as a very poised ball-handler, and Jordan and Amanda have the skills and the smarts to handle the pressure.

“There will definitely be a few tests for us, but we believe we’ve selected the best team to give us an opportunity to win in Japan.”

The full team is …
Suzie Bates (Otago), Toni Edmondson (NZ Academy), Jillian Harmon (Italy), Amanda Harris (Harbour), Jordan Hunter (Palmerston North), Karlene Kingi (Harbour), Patrice McKenzie (Otago), Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe (Australia), Georgina Richards (Taranaki), Lisa Wallbutton (Australia), Jelena Vucinic (Taranaki), Noni Wharemate (Harbour)
Coach – Kennedy Hamilton-Kereama
Assistant coach – Aik Ho
Manager – Helen Lacey
Doctor – Stephen Williams
Physio – Sharon Choie