The Women’s Tupu League continued at the weekend. The Tupu League has replaced the D League as the second tier women’s programme underpinning the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa League.

The Harbour Breeze won all four games they played at AUT with the most notable a 70-64 victory over local rivals Auckland Dream.

Although the Breeze led all the way it was a close contest throughout with never more than a handful of points separating the two best teams in the region.  

The leading scorers for the Breeze were Bailey Flavell 14 points, Ash Udesike 13, Katelin Noyer 10, Brooke Blair 7, Keeley Tini 7

The Breeze will be in action again this Saturday, May 26, at the Franklin Pools and Leisure Centre in Pukekohe, when they face the Dream in a return fixture at 9.00am followed by a matchup against Counties Manukau at 1.30pm

Harbour Breeze roster:

Ash Udesike (Tall Ferns/East Central University)

Azure Anderson (3x3 Tall Ferns)

Brooke Blair (Tall Ferns/Idaho State University)

Mackenzie Chatfield (Junior Tall Ferns/Western Kentucky University)

Keeley Tini (Junior Tall Ferns/Williston State College)

Kodee Williams-Sefo (Westlake Girls High School)

Teuila Faalogo (Utah State Eastern College and former Northland rep)

Darci Finnigan (Junior Tall Ferns/University of Mary Hardin-Baylor)

Bailey Flavell (NZ U16’s/Takapuna Grammar School)

Maya Fowler (Collin College/Formerly Epsom Girls Grammar School)

Nikki Gear (Allen Community College/Formerly Northcote College)

Amy McKenzie (Takapuna Grammar School)

Katelin Noyer (Tall Ferns/Fresno State University)

Emma Schroeder (NZ U15’s/Westlake Girls High School)

Izzy Pugh (Wisconsin Milwaukee University and former Westlake Girls High) 

Coach – Mikey Graham

New Zealand Selections

Congratulations to Zenthia Stowers and Rebecca Moors on being named to the New Zealand team for the upcoming FIBA U18 Asia Cup in China from 24-30 June.

Also to Bailey Flavell, Kodee Williams-Sefo and Gia Vukona on selection for the team to play at the FIBA U17 World Cup in Mexico beginning July 13.

Gia, the daughter of Mika Vukona, lives and schools in Brisbane but began playing basketball at Forrest Hill Primary School so we can claim some credit for her progression into the national team!

Sal’s National Basketball League.

James Moors was outstanding in his first game for the Manawatu Jets after returning from his season with Leeuwarden in the Dutch League. James was a rebound short of a double double adding 9 boards to 17 points – unfortunately the Jets were thumped 108-70 by Taranaki Airs.

Dan Fotu also scored 17 points in a losing cause as the Nelson Giants were defeated 83-69 by Tauranga Whai for whom Kruz Perrott-Hunt racked up 19 points.

Top of the table Auckland Tuatara enjoyed a good weekend on their Southern Swing beating both the Otago Nuggets and Southland Sharks with usual suspects Rob Loe and Corey Webster outstanding.

Rob had a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds with Corey making 22 points in the 87-78 victory in Dunedin.

Brayden Inger scored 11 points for the Southland Sharks as the Tuatara put their collective foot down in the fourth quarter to win 97-74 in Invercargill on Saturday. Corey scored 20 points and with Rob scoring 29 he is now only 2 points short of 1,000 career points for the Tuatara.

The next opportunity to see the Tuatara is this Friday, May 24 when they will host the Nelson Giants at Eventfinda Stadium.

The Rapid League game begins at 6.30pm with the NBL encounter commencing at 7.30pm.

Oversees Professional Players

In Australian NBL1 South action Penina Davidson had 15 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks and 4 assists as Keilor Thunder beat Hobart Chargers 83-75.

In NBL1 West Ella Fotu and Olivia Berry scored 13 points apiece as Kalamunda Eastern Suns went down 102-71 to Rockingham Flames. 

Isaac Fotu and Tochigi Brex have made a surprise exit to the Chiba Jets in a Quarter-Final of the Japanese League play-offs. Brex had the best record in the regular season but were beaten 2-1 in the best of three series. 

Yanni Wetzell and ALBA Berlin have beaten Bonn in the opening game of their German League quarter-final series.