For the second edition running the Wrap has a strong international flavour as we review the Tall Blacks Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the Men’s U17 World Cup in Turkey and the Tall Ferns Select trip to Tokyo. Also best wishes to our rep teams attending the U18 National champs this week.

Tall Blacks

The Olympic dream is over for the Tall Blacks and their trio of former Harbour players Corey Webster, Yanni Wetzell and Sam Mennenga.

At the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece hopes were raised when the Tall Blacks pulled off a stunning 90-86 victory over Croatia with Corey scoring 21 points, Yanni 10 (plus 5 rebounds) and Sam 4.

The following night the dreams were crushed as Slovenia inflicted a 104-78 defeat on the Tall Blacks. Corey scored 6 points in that game while Yanni had just the 2 points but did pull down 6 rebounds. 

New Zealand U17 Men

Jameer Reed and Gus Dallow are members of the NZ U17 Men’s team that made history at FIBA U17 World Cup in Turkey.

With wins over hosts Turkey and Argentina New Zealand topped their Pool. In the Round of Sixteen the Kiwis defeated Egypt and in so doing became the first New Zealand age-group team to make the Top-8 at a FIBA World Cup. After defeating Lithuania in the Quarter-Finals they were beaten by eventual champions USA in the semis and Turkey in the bronze medal game.

Harbour’s Director of Basketball Greg Brockbank is an Assistant Coach with the U17 team.

2degrees Tall Ferns Select

Akiene-Tera Reed was the sole Harbour representative on the New Zealand team that travelled to Tokyo to take on the Paris Olympics bound Japanese national team. The Tall Ferns Select were well beaten in both contests with Tera scoring 9 points in the first game. 

Sal’s National Basketball League 

Charlie Dalton scored 15 points and Rob Loe had 13 and 9 rebounds as Auckland Tuatara locked in a home semi-final spot with a narrow 77-76 win in New Plymouth against the Taranaki Airs.

Dan Fotu had 20 points and 9 rebounds but couldn’t prevent Nelson Giants falling 88-79 at home to the Otago Nuggets. A victory would have secured sixth spot on the ladder and a certain spot in the NBL play-offs. The defeat still leaves that place in doubt ahead of the final round of the regular season.

Denhym Brooke scored a season high 21 points and added a team best 8 rebounds as Tauranga Whai fell 100-94 at Wellington Saints. Kruz Perrott-Hunt was also in good form with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

Brayden Inger top scored with 15 points as Southland Sharks suffered a heavy defeat in Christchurch going down 104-70 to the table topping Canterbury Rams.

James Moors scored 14 points as Manawatu Jets went down 97-78 to Hawkes Bay Hawks in Napier.

Overseas Professional Players

In the Australian NBL1 South League Keilor Thunder, despite being without the services of Tera Reed due to her commitments with the Tall Ferns Select in Japan, beat Diamond Valley 69-48. 

Penina Davidson produced a double-double of 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Thunder.

Ella Fotu and Olivia Berry produced strong performances as Eastern Suns beat Goldfields Giants in NBL1 West.

Ella scored 17 points to go with 9 assists, 5 steals, 2 rebounds and 2 blocks while Olivia added 6 assists and 6 rebounds to 14 points.

Finally good luck to the Harbour teams that will be competing at the U18 National Championships in Wellington this week.