We begin this week’s Wrap with a March Madness update as the University of Virginia Cavaliers and the Portland University Pilots now know their opponents at the NCAA Division I Tournaments.

NCAA Division I Men

The University of Virginia bowed out of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament at the semi-final stage, beaten 73-65 by eventual winners North Carolina University in overtime.

However Taine Murray and the Cavaliers, with a top four finish in a strong conference and an overall record of 23-10, received an at large invitation albeit having to navigate a play-in game to the First Round proper. That will be against Colorado State University. 

Tom Beattie’s fine freshman season came to an end at the Big West Conference Tournament semi-finals where Hawaii University were beaten 68-65 by UC Davis. Tom had a fine freshman season playing in 32 of Hawaii’s 33 games averaging 4 points and an assist while logging 17 minutes per outing.

NCAA Division I Women

For the second year running the Portland University Pilots, and their duo of Harbour reps, clipped their ticket for the Women’s NCAA  National Championship by winning the West Coast Conference Tournament title. Emme Shearer and Florence Dallow and the Pilots will face Kansas State University in the opening round.

NCAA Division II Women’s National Championship

Hannah Wentworth scored 9 points as Eckerd College advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament with an 84-70 defeat of Union University.

Nova Southeastern University Sharks, with sophomore guard Jessica Moors adding 4 points to 6 rebounds, also progressed to the second round with a 71-61 win over Lee University.

It was one from two for the Harbour alumni in the second round:

Nova Southeastern progressed with a 69-58 win against Valdosta State University. There were a game high 4 steals for Jess in the notable victory over the #5 ranked Women’s Division II team in the nation.

Heart break for Eckerd as they bowed out by the narrowest of margins going down 69-68 to Tampa University in overtime.

Professional Players

Brayden Inger scored 11 points as Hemel Storm continued their good run of form beating Birmingham Rockets 96-71 in a British NBL contest. The Storm remain third on the NBL ladder with a 15-4 record. 

James Moors tallied 12 points although Leeuwarden came unstuck against Brussels going down 104-81 in a Dutch League contest.

Yanni Wetzell scored 10 points for ALBA Berlin in their 90-82 EuroLeague loss to Monaco.

Last but certainly not least read this fitting tribute below to one of the greatest ever Tall Ferns and almost certainly Harbour’s greatest ever female player, Micaela Cocks.

The former Takapuna Grammar and Harbour rep enjoyed an international career that spanned 17 years and took her to an Olympics and two Commonwealth Games. A record 145 games in the black singlet!

Thanks for the memories Micaela.

https://nz.basketball/micaela-cocks-announces-tall-ferns-retirement/