Aiming to make the semis

THEY'RE in good hands.

The Gisborne Basketball Association boys’ and girls’ under-11 teams competing in Rotorua this weekend will be guided by the two best point-guards in Rising Suns history: GBA head coach Dwayne Tamatea and former New Zealand under-20 representative Leityn Swann.

They will take part in the Rotovegas Invitation Tournament tomorrow, Sunday and Monday.

“Our goal for both teams is to make the semifinals,” Tamatea said.

Last year the u11 girls were placed third and the boys came fifth.

The girls play three games tomorrow: at 10am against Tauranga, at 1.20pm against Franklin, and at 3.50pm against Rotorua.

The boys play Tauranga Gold at 10.50am, Rotorua Maroon at 2.10pm and Counties-Manukau at 4.40pm.

On Sunday, the boys play New Plymouth Gold at 9am with quarterfinals set to start at 3.40pm.

The girls playTauranga at 9.50am, Franklin at 12.20pm and Rotorua at 2.50pm.

On Monday, the u11 girls’ final is set for 9.50am while the playoff for third and fourth is 11.30am.

The boys’ semifinals in Gisborne’s pool will be at 9am games, with the pool final and third/fourth playoff at 12.20pm.

After the u13s’ strong showing at the regional tournament in Napier last weekend, Tamatea views this last age-group excursion as being vital to the development programme.

“This is about seeing where we are, compared with the larger centres, and showing that we can compete against them,” he said.

“We want to expose our players to good opposition, to see where they’re at.”

Gisborne under-11s, boys: Felix Sparks, Jerome Tamatea, Dominique Wilson, Jack-John Maurirere, Quaydon Kora, Jaiah Kora, Whai Maxwell, Oakley Brown-Terekia, Rekai Hayne, Ziya Swann.

Girls: Riley Lewis, Kohine Aupouri, Piper Barbarich, Taimarie Matahiki, Trieste Wilson, Jorja Kepa, Ariana Kepa, Lachyn Moeke, Shelley Rangihuna, Bobbi Atawhai Crawford.