Basketball New Zealand

Nelson celebrate WBC title (Photosport)

Nelson Sparks have taken out the 2012 Women’s Basketball Championship, trouncing Waitakere West Auckland 61-40 in the final at Dunedin.

Last year’s runners-up maintained their unbeaten record through the playoffs tournament, taking the initiative with a nine-point run in the opening quarter and never looking back. They had a 17-point lead at halftime and their advantage never fell below 14 over the final 20 minutes.

In a line-up filled with experienced performers, Nelson were led by youngsters Jess Bygate (10 points/12 rebounds) and Shannon Perrett (11 points), supported by the balanced scoring of Jodi Hikuroa, Lisa Book and Jane Gowans (eight points each).

The Sparks dominated the boards, grabbing 20 offensive rebounds and outscoring their rivals 20-8 in the paint. Defensively, they held the Rangers to just 20% shooting from the field, blocking six shots in the process – five by veteran centre Nicky Rampton.

Only Junior Tall Ferns forward Penina Davidson offered any answer for debutants Waitakere, scoring 15 points from 9/11 free-throw shooting.

Defending champions Otago Oceana Goldrush defeated previous champions Harbour Breeze 54-49, while Waikato Wizards took out the plate final, overrunning Canterbury Wildcats 68-46.

Women’s Basketball Championship
Edgar Centre, Dunedin
Saturday, August 25
9am
Ninth/10th playoff – Southland Kelvin Hotel Pearls 51 (Elise Cassidy 15, Te Huinga Selby Rickett 13) Rotorua Lady Vols 53 (Danielle Marks 18, Hana Tapiata 12)

11am
Third/fourth playoff – Harbour Breeze 49 (Shinae Blair 12, Jody Cameron 10, Halsey Ward 10) Otago Oceana Goldrush 54 (Soraya Umaga-Jensen 22)
Box Score – Harbour V Otago

Fifth/sixth playoff – Taranaki Trojans 58 (Toni Sharader 14, Hannah Flemming 13, Terai Sadler 13) Hutt Valley Flyers 81 (Lisa Scott 19, Margaret Scott 16, Jacinta Beckley 14)
Box Score – Taranaki v Hutt Valley

2pm
Seventh/eighth playoff (Plate Final) – Waikato Wizards 68 (Rhaiah Spoonter-Knight 22, Miriam Slatter 13, Natasha Lenden 13, Walker 10) Canterbury Wildcats 46 (Pip Connell 12, Courtney Hamblin 10)
Box Score – Waikato V Canterbury

4pm
Championship Final – Nelson Sparks 61 (Shannon Perrett 11, Jess Bygate 10) Waitakere West Auckland 40 (Penina Davidson 15)
Box Score – Nelson V Waitakere