Weekly Wrap - Wrapping up 2023
While the majority of us enjoy time off over the festive period the same can’t be said for many of our basketball players, particularly those in the professional ranks.
First though to American College hoops where Tayla Dalton has passed a significant milestone.
In her 104th game for St Mary’s College, California, Tayla had 9 points and 4 steals as St Mary’s defeated San Jose State 70-52. In the process she became the 24th Kiwi to score 800 points in NCAA Division 1 Women’s basketball.
In her freshman season at Western Kentucky Mackenzie Chatfield enjoyed her first double figure outing as Western Kentucky eased past West Virginia State 97-39. Mackenzie scored 10 points making 4 from 6 from the field, converting both her 3-point attempts in the process.
Professional Players
In the professional arena the performance of the week went the way of Matt Freeman. In the Romanian League Matt had a terrific 22-points outing as Craiova defeated Constanta 93-86 to improve to 5-6 on the season.
Matt made 5 from 8 three-pointers taking his season’s tally to 26 from 55 from beyond the arc at a stunning 47%.
Matt’s former Westlake Boys and Harbour teammate Yanni Wetzell scored in double figures for the third game running for ALBA Berlin in the EuroLeague. Despite 12 points (5/10FG) from Yanni, Berlin went down 91-82 to Turkish side Fenerbahce.
A week after Sam Mennenga had scored a season high 18 points he pulled down a season best 10 rebounds for Cairns Taipans in the Australian NBL. Unfortunately Cairns lost the Boxing Day encounter with Perth Wildcats 105-102. Sam has scored in double figures in four of his last five games.
It was terrific to see Dan Fotu respond to his first start for the BNZ Breakers with a sparkling performance. Playing 24 minutes Dan came up with 8 points and 4 rebounds as the Breakers defeated defending champions Sydney Kings 109-101 at Spark Arena.
Dan’s older brother Isaac scored 12 points (5/7FG) to help Tochigi Brex (19-7) to a comfortable 83-68 win against Shimane Magic in the Japanese League.
In the Australian Women’s NBL Akiene-Tera Reed had 8 points and a season best 7 assists as Melbourne Boomers ended top of the table Townsville Fire’s seven game winning streak with an impressive 82-62 triumph.
Congratulations to Reuben Fitzgerald on re-signing with the Auckland Tuatara for the 2024 Sal’s NBL season.
See you again in 2024!
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