North Harbour players were prominent at the 2012 FIBA Oceania Men’s and Women’s Under 19 Championships held in Porirua last week. The three games series were both won by Australia but not before they were tested by their New Zealand opponents.

The Men’s team boasted 5 Harbour athletes, Reuben Te Rangi and Anamata Haku (Harbour Heat, U19 Men), Mathew Lacey and Derone Raukawa (Rosmini College) and Alex Talma (Westlake Boys, U19 Men).

The Women’s team featured Brooke Blair (Rangitoto College, Harbour Breeze, U21/19 Women) and Penina Davidson (Rangitoto College) and Dena Franklin (Westlake Girls, U21/19 Women).

Game 1

In Game 1 of the Women’s series the Kiwi women trailed by just 2 points, 51-53 at three quarter time. Aided by a rare 6 points play from Dena Franklin – fouled in the act of shooting she knocked down the resulting free throws, then another two free throws after a technical foul was called on the play. She then scored from the in bounds play that followed and the teams were all tied up at 65-65 with 3 minutes remaining.

However, a missed lay up and a couple of turnovers scuppered the home team’s chances, Australia winning 72-65. The Rangitoto High School pair of Brooke Blair (10 points) and Penina Davidson (9 pts) were prominent throughout.

Game 2

Game 2 was largely one way traffic, the Australian’s leading by 10 points at quarter time and16 points at half time before running away with the game and the series 89-55.. Penina Davidson played almost a lone hand at the offensive end scoring a game high 24 points. Stella Beck (Hutt Valley) and Dena Franklin with 9 points and 8 points respectively were the only other significant contributors.

Game 3

Game 3 followed a similar pattern to game 2 with the Australians establishing an early stranglehold which they never looked like relinquishing. Even New Zealand player of the tournament Penina Davidson (11 points) was not her normal productive self. Deena Franklin (8 pts) was her usual tenacious self and Brooke Blair landed a couple of long range threes but largely to no avail as the Australians swept the series 3-0 on the back of  an 83-54 win.

The Men’s opening game started promisingly for the New Zealand team, the scores level 36 apiece at half time. Harbour Heat swing-man and Breakers Development player Reuben Te Rangi leading the scoring with 11 points. A poor third period which the Junior Tall Blacks lost 13-30 threatened a blow out on the scoreboard but all credit to the Kiwis as they mounted a revival in the final quarter. Led by Matt Lacey’s scoring and an increased defensive effort fueled by an energetic Tim Apisai the Junior Tall Blacks closed to within 10 points. A missed dunk by Te Rangi followed by an unconverted lay-up by Tom Vodanovich allowed the Australian’s to reassert their dominance and cruise to an 85-64 victory. Leading scorers for New Zealand were Matt Lacey (18 points) and Ruben Te Rangi (15 points).

The Junior Tall Black’s started game 2 poorly and despite 6 points from Alex Talma trailed 28-11 at the first break. Captain Reuben Te Rangi was immense for the Kiwis pouring in 26 points as they fought valiantly to get back in the game. However, the deficit given up in the first quarter was to prove too great a hurdle to overcome and the Australians ran out clear winners 95-70.

Despite the absence of injured Harbour forward Alex Talma the Junior Tall Blacks started game 3 strongly. Fueled by the energy of Anamata Haku who was having his best game of the series the Kiwis trailed by just 6 points at quarter time. Major contributions from Te Rangi, Lacey, Will Soonalole and Tom Vodanovich had the Kiwis ahead 43-42 close to half time before entering the locker room trailing by just a single basket 44-46.

That was as good as it got for the Junior Blacks as the Aussies opened the second half with a 15-0 run and snuffed out the chances of an upset going on to win 93-60. Haku (10 points) top scored for the New Zealanders. Captain Reuben Te Rangi succumbed to fatigue in the second half, contributing just 6 points but was clearly the New Zealand player of the series.

By Mike Lacey