Spring is a lively, tenacious and skilful guard. Her fouling out in the fourth period was a blow to Campion, who fought hard against strong opposition.
It was a tremendous contest, complemented by refereeing of the highest standard. Seven jump-balls were called, pointing to not just competitiveness but body control, with no player guilty of a foul.
There were many memorable plays — Jayda Banks’ marvellous cross-court pass from the right sideline at halfway to Bennett, who scored to make it 13-all; Alicia Kepa’s three-point shot with four seconds left in the first quarter for 16-13 to Lytton; Waititi-Leach’s remarkable left-hand lay-up v Sparks for 21-all; and Sparks driving to the ring with a shot on the move to close the deficit to 23-25.
Banks made the defensive play of the game with Campion trailing 43-47. She flew back from midcourt to leap by Waititi-Leach on a breakaway lay-up and blocked the shot out of court — one of basketball’s most difficult plays to make without fouling.
“It was a very good game. We got a lot of steals and played strong defence,” said Waititi-Leach.
“It was a quick game in the first half and third quarter but we slowed the pace down during the fourth period.”
Sparks said it was a close and hard-fought game.
“Anna was a big loss because she brings the ball up for us.”
Sparks acknowledged the improvement of Summer Marama-Kingi and Sapphire Swann in their first season for Campion, and Marama-Kingi, who made one incredible driving shot from the right side of the court.
Ngati Porou overcame a game Rebels side to advance to what was, until last year, their own showpiece, having won from 2014 to 2017.
They are a big, strong unit who pass and shoot well, and have a strong inside presence.
As always, Tiara Weir and captain Bronya McMenamin were central to the cause.
McMenamin scored 23 points and Weir topped all scorers across the GBA playoffs — men and women — with 39 points.
Ngati Porou led 21-10, 43-22 and 63-30 but Rebels did manage to win the last quarter.
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (28) and older sister and captain Te Uarangi Olsen (11) took the battle to Ngati Porou.
Olsen had committed four fouls by the second quarter but finished the game — good news for the Rebels, as they had only one substitute.
She picked up her offensive game in the fourth period, including a 25-foot shot, but it was not enough.
“Tiara had an outstanding offensive game, scoring almost half of our points,” said McMenamin. “Ata Mangu was dangerous as well, cutting hard to the hoop and finishing her shots.
“We’re excited to be in the final.”
“I thought we could’ve done a little bit better,” said Olsen, “but it was a good game from Ngati Porou.”
The last game of the night — a playoff for fifth — was no dead rubber.
Nor did Revolution Fitness New Zealand and Paikea Nation treat it like one.
RFNZ came from behind to win 38-28, having trailed 4-13, 10-24, and 21-26.
The third period marked a rally by RFNZ, ferocious defence restricting Paikea Nation’s scorers to a mere two points.
As their full name implies, RFNZ are a quick, athletic outfit and the women’s league is known for its uncompromising play.
“In some ways, it’s the toughest league I’ve played in,” said Alyse Stewart of RFNZ.
Paikea Nation’s Amoe Tarsau knows the game was there for the taking.
“We were going well until Maiangi Mackey and Amoe Wharehinga fouled out. We had that game but we let it slip,” she said. “
Mackey played with dynamic energy at both ends of the court. Liana Akroyd and Renee Stewart did much the same for RFNZ.
Neither team were a pushover in 2018 and if they return in 2019, they may do a little bit of gentle pushing themselves . . . within the rules.
