Tauranga under-17 boys' Izaak Taula in action. Photo / Andrew Warner
Tauranga under-17 boys' Izaak Taula in action. Photo / Andrew Warner
Hana Lacey-Rameka runs the ball for Rotorua Gold under-15 against Country Cup, of Australia. Photo / Andrew Warner 190419aw03bop.JPGBasketballBy David Beck
While many are looking forward to Easter treats, 135 age group basketball teams are busy doing their thing on the court.
The Mel Young Easter Classic junior basketball tournament, being held in Tauranga for the fifth consecutive year, got underway yesterdayand there was plenty of quality basketball on display.
The tournament is for North Island representative teams playing in five grades between under-11 and under-19 as well as teams from Australia.
The Tauranga A under-17 boys' team started their tournament with a 95-69 win over Country Cup, one of the Australian sides. Tauranga coach Veni Iuli says it was a good start for his side.
"It was the first hit out and I thought they went really well. [The Australian teams] are definitely strong and they had a lot of height. Having them there gets the kids really excited, it's something different and out of the ordinary."
The tournament is named after former Hamilton basketballer Melvyn (Mel) Young who died in 2015 and recognises the effort and dedication he put into the game. Iuli says it is nice to come together and celebrate Young each year.
"I just think the memory of Mel, what he has done for the sport to help it grow this far is really impressive."
He says Tauranga hosting events like this one has helped grow the game in the area.
"The growth of basketball here has just taken off in big numbers. Events like this definitely help and it's one of the stronger tournaments which people look forward to on the calendar now."
Hana Lacey-Rameka runs the ball for Rotorua Gold under-15 against Country Cup, of Australia. Photo / Andrew Warner
In the under-15 girls' grade, Rotorua Gold also faced up against a Country Cup team and lost narrowly 52-46 in a hard-fought encounter.
Rotorua player Alyssa Webster, 13, has been playing in the tournament since under-11s and says she looks forward to it every year.
"I enjoy the competition here and just seeing everyone else play."
She says it was good seeing a lot of the same faces return every year and the inclusion of the Australian teams added an extra element. She found each team usually improved as the tournament went on.
"It's good for the competition because they're really fast and quick - really skilled.
"[The first game] was really competitive. We're playing kind of a good game for our first game together."
This weekend games are being played at the Trustpower Arena, Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, Tauranga Boys' College, Aquinas College, Tauranga Intermediate School and Mount Sports Centre.
The tournament concludes with Finals on Monday, to see the full draw and results go to basketballpacific.com/mel-young-easter-classic-2019
