The NZ Force Harbour Breeze have beaten the Palmerston North Storm 69-57 followed by a 33 point win over the Wellington Women’s Academy and a 23 point win over the NZ Academy.

GAME 1 Game Brief NZ Force Harbour Breeze 69 - PALMERSTON NORTH 57

Chelsea Terei "For our first hit out as a complete team the game had its up's and down's. The highlights were strong communication and great team support which propelled our team goals of FAMILY, SELFLESSNESS and RELENTLESS. Admittingly, the refs were a little bit harsh given the 36:13 foul count, we were able to perservere and come out on top. Although it wasn't the prettiest game we were able to take things from the game that we were able to work on and improve on in the next game against Wellington. We are looking forward to two good games tomorrow where we go from strength to strength".

Game 2 Won NZ Force Harbour Breeze 91 -58 Wellington Women’s Academy

The Breeze really start to heat things up down here in cold New Plymouth.  The final score, was one of the highest offensive games recorded here at the WBC.  The Breeze took control right from the buzzer and never looked back at the Wellington side.  Defense proved to be the key role in this game as Wellington point guard Sezan Mercan was shut down from the get go.  The Breeze continues to be the team everyone wants to get but there is no letting up from any of the Breeze team.

Standout performance from Noni Wharemate was rewarded with the Subway Player of the Match award. 

Game 3 Game Brief for NZ Force Harbour Breeze 70 vs NZ Acadmey 47

Lana Kershaw "Early start this morning with a cold gym to run in however, the breeze did just tha,t when they breezed past the NZ Academy in this morning's win. NZ Academy showed some great skills and made some tough shots thorughout the games keeping veteran breeze players on their toes. But with a strong hold on a comfortable win, the breeze were able to show why they are defending champs with knowledge and skill overcoming the academy side".

The "babies" of the breeze have shown that they can keep up with the oldies contributing to every win in the tournament so far. The great shooting efforts of Kate Lacey, Amanda Harris and suprise shooter Lana Kershaw have been valuable. Leading from the front Noni Wharemate and Jody Cameron are a great combo and "awsome" to watch, as they are key role players in this team. Its great to see that every player in the breeze has an important role in the team and that they each support one another, which shows with their team values of Relentless, Selfless, Family".

Game 4 Harbour Breeze 83 - Waikato Cougers 50

Game 4

NZ Force Harbour Breeze 83 NZ Force Cougars 50

 

Fatigue starts to show in Game 4 and with a young Waikato Cougars team ready to pounce, the Breeze looked like they could have a game on their hands.  Game 4 was to be a show down with the "young in's."  Veterans Noni Wharemate, Jody Cameron and Lana Kershaw sat this game out to let those "old bodies" rest, but dont let that fool you into thinking that the Breeze would look too much different.  Forwards Karlene Kingi and Natasha Hall let their presence and physical statures be shown right from the start.  Pounding the ball inside, was no easy task for the Waikato side to guard.  But it didnt stop there, sitting out on the 3 point line ready to shoot the lights out was the likes of Amanda Harris, Kate Lacey and Anna Lacey.  The point position was taken by Chelsie Terei who controlled the game with great leadership and tenacious defense. 

 

As the game got to half time it looked the Waikato side crept back in with the Breeze only being up by 6 points.  A quick 5 minute half time gave the young Breeze team all the rest they needed.  When the 5 took the floor it was "go" time.  Relentless in offense and defense was definitely a good word to desribe how the Breeze looked.  Every player that came off the bench, scored and got awsome defensive stops.  Newbie to the Breeze Kaylee Dawson add steals, rebounds and even running the floor for open lay ups

For all results go to www.basketball.org.nz 

Final

NZ Force Harbour Breeze continued their domination of the Women’s Basketball Championship, defeating Oceana Goldrush for maximum points in this year’s opening round in New Plymouth.

The two teams that met in last year’s final emerged top of their pools again and Harbour, under new coach Angela Perrott-Hunt, repeated their success 70-64 in a physical contest.

The next round will take place at Waitakere on July 22-24.

Saturday, June 28
9am
Seventh/eighth playoff - Wellington Women’s Academy 71 Hutt Valley 63
Ninth/10th playoff - NZ Force Cougars 60 NZ U16 74

11am
Third/fourth playoff - Taranaki Trojans 66 Palmerston North 49
Fifth/sixth playoff - NZ Women’s Academy 61 Waikato Wizards 74

1pm
Final - Oceana Goldrush 64 NZ Force Harbour Breeze 70

Competition Points
NZ Force Harbour Breeze 20, Oceana Goldrush 18, Taranaki Trojans 16, Palmerston North Storm 14, Waikato Wizards 12, NZ Force Womens Academy 10, Wellington Womens Academy 8, Hutt Valley Flyers 6, NZ Force Cougars 6