Basketball New Zealand

Basketball New Zealand

After a tough opening day, New Zealand reclaimed some of their international basketball reputation when the U18 men trounced Japan 92-71 on Day Two of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

Captain Max Williams led the Kiwis with 18 points (8/15 FG, 1/4 3pt, 1/4 FT) and nine rebounds, while Tepasu Thomas amassed a double double of 11 points/14 rebounds.

New Zealand had lost by 53 points to hosts Australia the previous afternoon, but wasted no time putting that performance behind them. They rattled off 13 unanswered points on the way to a 26-10 first quarter advantage and extended that lead to 29 points in the third quarter.

The result left plenty more room for improvement, though. The young NZ outfit enjoyed a huge physical advantage around the basket, securing a 67-31 rebound edge and scoring 50-24 points in the paint.

But they shot just 40% (8/20) from the free throw line and committed twice as many turnovers (20).

They will need to step their game up another notch tomorrow when they take on China, who defeated Japan by 52 points in their tournament opener.

Meanwhile, the NZ U18 women were unable to match their male counterparts, falling 71-92 to Japan.

Guard Anna Lacey had 21 points, including 5/9 3pt, and Shannon Perrett compiled a double double of 10 points/12 rebounds, including seven offensive boards.

The Kiwi women actually led 44-40 at halftime, but conceded a 15-point run in the third quarter to lose their advantage and capitulated 25-8 over the closing stanza.

They shared rebounding honours with their rivals and enjoyed a slight edge in second-chance points, but allowed the Japanese to outscore them 48-26 around the basket and again surrendered possession (30 turnovers) for comfort.

New Zealand also face China in the women’s draw on Day Three and must chase their first victory against a team that lost by two to Japan yesterday.

Australian Youth Olympic Festival

Sydney
Thursday, January 15
Men
New Zealand 92 (Max Williams 18, Ben McIlwaine 15, Ethan Rusbatch 12, Tepasu Thomas 11) Japan 71 (Kodai Kimura 22, Taku Bando 15, Kengo Nomoto 14)
New Zealand vs Japan Under-18 Men Box Score

Women
Japan 92 (Aoi Katsura 25, Rina Hayakawa 16, Aya Tsurumi 12, Naoko Chikahira 12, Asami Chiku 10, Naho Miyoshi 10) New Zealand 71 (Anna Lacey 21, Shannon Perrett 10, Jasmine Davis 10)
New Zealand vs Japan Under-18 Women Box Score