Tauranga basketballers make history

WELL DONE: Tauranga under-23 women's team are officially the second best team in New Zealand. PHOTO: Basketball NZ

Tauranga City women's under-23 team made history on Saturday at the national basketball championships in Porirua.

They became the first Tauranga women's team to make an under-23 national final and are proud of their performance to get that far, despite losing 83-46 to hot favourites Waikato.

Coach Rachel Gwerder says last year the team made the semifinals for the first time so to make the final was something everyone associated with Tauranga City Basketball was excited about.

"We've got team supporters, coaches and players all walking on air because although we were definitely the second best team in that final we are the second best team in the country," she said.

"You take your positives where you can and we are just absolutely stoked."

The final against Waikato was always going to be a massive step up from the semifinal against Otago.

Early on the young Tauranga team looked nervous. They had plenty of opportunities to score, particularly in the first five minutes but were unable to make their smooth transition from defence pay.

Greater big-match experience across the court and the confidence from winning titles proved decisive in the end for Waikato.

The highlight of Tauranga's week was the semifinal win by 82-56 over Otago on Friday night after the southerners had beaten them by 12 in pool play earlier the same day.

Briarley Rogers, a Year 12 student at Aquinas College, shot the lights out from beyond the arc with a game high 30 points while captain Mikayla Daysh slotted 25 points in a top class display.

"The semifinal was a great win for us and will stay in the memory banks for years to come. That is when we have the most success when we have our inside, outside game working," Gwerder said.

"Every single one of our girls stepped up to the occasion and fulfilled their role. Mika and Briarley were great but Courtney Wilson defensively made sure that the other team's best player gets a limited look. Cairyn Rogers brings the ball up and distributes the ball under pressure and Kaatia Watene was everywhere for us in that semi.

"We are also blessed with our squad. Ngatai Bennett comes on and the standards stay the same. She and Elle McManaway had blinders. We had a 15-year-old, two 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old there so we are looking pretty good for the future."

Gwerder says the key now is to ensure improved consistency of performance in all age grades.

"Coach Tony Webster and I have discussed that what needs to happen for our kids is they need to be playing in these big games to know they can win these big games.

"Last year's semi, even though we lost, put us in good stead for this year because we had that semifinal experience. The next time these girls come to a final the situation will not be too big for them."

Building success at younger ages is a key part of Tauranga City Basketball's long term plan.

"Our under-15 girls came fourth at the nationals so we are starting to see some consistency through the age groups," Gwerder said.