Basketball New Zealand

BBNZ logo

NZ Men will play off for fifth place at the Australian U16 State Championships in Logan after dispatching Australian Capital Territory 88-55 in crossovers.

The Kiwis jumped on their opponents in a 31-14 second quarter blitz that gave them a 26-point halftime lead. While they lost some ground after the break, a 15-point run in the final moments restored a comfortable winning margin.

New Zealand dominated in the paint, shooting 52% FG and outscoring ACT by 34 points at close range.

Harbour guard Tai Webster again led all scorers with 21 points (9/15 FG, 1/4 3pt, 2/3 FT), four assists, four rebounds and three steals, while Western Bay of Plenty’s Mark Kelly compiled a double double – 14 points/10 rebounds.

They now face New South Wales Country in the playoff for fifth place.

Meanwhile, the NZ Women fell 64-73 to New South Wales Metro despite a huge performance from Waitakere forward Penina Davidson.

Davidson, who has averaged a double double throughout this tournament, scored 18 points (6/17 FG, 6/11 FT) and grabbed 24 rebounds, including 17 OR.

The Kiwis dominated some of the game’s key statistics, incredibly grabbing as many offensive boards (34) as their rivals claimed at both ends. But they turned the ball over 24 times and could not convert their chances as well as NSW.

After trailing by 18 immediately after halftime, New Zealand closed to within seven later in the third quarter, but that was as close as they got to a comeback.

They now face South Australia Metro for seventh spot.

Australian U16 State Championships

Logan, Queensland
Friday, July 9
Men
New Zealand 88 (Tai Webster 21, Mark Kelly 14, Nico Buckrell 12, Sesilili Palei 10) ACT 55
Q1 19-10
HT 50-24 (31-14)
Q3 63-40 (13-16)
FT 88-55 (25-15)

Women
New South Wales Metro 73 New Zealand 64 (Penina Davidson 18, Stella Beck 17)
Q1 16-12
HT 35-19 (19-7)
Q3 59-47 (24-28)
FT 73-64 (14-17)