BASKETBALL
Ritana dropped the hammer on Nameless last night.
Week 3 of the Gisborne Basketball Association women’s club league saw Ritana beat Nameless 68-39 on their three-point shooting.
Ohomauri Hailey, Oshae Rangihaeata, Lindsey Pomana and Peyton Riri all scored in double figures for Ritana. Three of the four hit three-pointers, as did their Lytton High School teammates Lordharna Puketapu (7pts) and Chiarn Waikawa (6pts).
Remarkably, Nameless’ Natasha Porter and Bobbi Crawford also hit two treys apiece, the long-range duel commencing in the second period.
The standard of jumpshooting in ladies’ club ball has come a long way, since the days when GBA legend Kay Symes and her fellow left-hander Janelle Te Rauna-Lamont were the only players to drop bombs on target.
Crawford hit the sweetest long jumper, 6.5 seconds before half-time, for 26-35.
Hailey made the third quarter her own with three astounding plays: first up, her amazing spin-move left-side of the court to bank the shot off the backboard — “high glass” — for 39-29. In the second instance, she took the ball to the hoop and switched hands, left to right, to hit the scoop-shot at 41-29 and lastly, spun left away from the ring before once more banking the ball home, score 45-29.
Both outfits played skilful, athletic team basketball and with the addition of Turanga Health in Round 1, the GBA now has an eight-club league.
Turanga beat Manu Toa 31-30, thanks in large part to Kiara Swannell.
The tall Swannell’s 14 points and strong all-round game were critical, as was the support of Ngarita Ehau-Taumanu and Alicia Kepa. From top to bottom of every team, there are few players who don’t handle the ball well. Few clubs run a set offence, but despite that they play entertaining, enjoyable hoops.
Left side of the goal, from behind, Maiangi Mackey pinned the taller Ehau-Taumanu’s shot beneath the bucket and later sent Natalie Mackey on the run with a great outlet pass, to tie the scores 13-13.
Te Amokura Te Rauna-Lamont had an excellent game for Manu Toa. She hit a three-pointer to give them a 16-14 lead and later chased Swannell down the floor, keeping her wide left-side on a breakaway. Swannell finished the play with a classic left-handed lay-up, for 18-16 to Turanga.
Masters of the Universe are great to watch.
For starters, their captain Amoe Tarsau (who coached Ritana to victory in Game 1 and did an excellent job as a referee in Game 2) hit a 20-foot shot from the right-wing at the end of the game.
Three-time defending champions Ngati Porou won a game that vacillated between earthy old-school physicality and delightful touch, 48-35.
Miriata Callaghan was brilliant for the Masters. She hustled on defence and refused to allow easy shots while remaining a factor until she fouled out with two minutes, two seconds left in the game.
Ata Mangu looked to be getting back to her dynamic best last night, having played solidly in the fortnight prior. Her flair and finish at the rim was restored, and McMenamin (a model for how good players get on with the job, despite opposition players bumping her) took a nudge or two without complaint.
The Masters’ Wanita Tuwairua-Brown blocked six shots: her defensive presence and rebounding make a huge difference for her team, and TMU will continue to improve.
They were 10 or so points in arrears for most of last night’s late game but they have the experience, the skills and passion for the game required to give teams like Ngati Porou a push.
(Jayla Waru-Reardon 12, Jorja Kepa 10, Bobbi Crawford 6) (Ohomauri Hailey 16, Oshae Rangihaeata 16, Lindsey Pomana 13, Peyton Riri 10) Ritana Q1 18-6, HT 35-26, Q3 50-33.
(Kiara Swannell 14, Alicia Kepa 4, Ngarita Ehau-Taumanu 4) (Te Amokura Te Rauna-Lamont 8, Shean Edwards 7, Maiangi Mackey 6) Turanga Q1 4-2, HT 14-13, Manu Toa Q3 25-22.
(Courtney Stubbins 12, Wanita Tuwairua-Brown 8, Monique Carmichael 8) (Ata Mangu 17, Bronya McMenamin 14) Ngati Porou Q1 14-6, HT 28-18, Q3 38-26.
(Dom Wilson 18, Kahu Leach-Waihi 15, Quaydon Chaffey-Kora 15) (Levi Hohipa-Henry 20, Raenin Pihema 16) GBHS Junior A Q1 13-12, HT 38-27, Q3 53-33.
(Izaiah Kingi-Miki 11, Jamie Mills 11) (Allies Rangihuna 12, Felix Sparks 8) GBHS Junior B Q1 15-14, CCJ HT 22-21, Q3 28-23.
(Jovan Potter 14, Aaron Sarcia 8, Allen Arnaldo 7) (Kiwa Ria 13, Akura Smith 7) CCC Q1 12-10, HT 24-23, GBHS Q3 34-29.