No shrinking violets in women’s basketball competition

Gisborne Girls’ High School’s Grace Levy takes the ball up the court as Talon August moves to check her run for Ngati Porou. Pictures by Paul Rickard

Women's basketball has no shrinking violets.

The women's A Grade game between Stretchmarks and Ritana on Monday night was the most physical game of the league to date.

The Marama Henwood-coached Ritana fought tirelessly and with courage against a big, savvy Stretchmarks crew.

Stretchmarks won the game 46-42, former US College player Dyani Johnson and fellow forward Wanita Tuwairua-Brown each rattling up 16 points.

Piper Donaldson (13pts) and Amoe Wharehinga (10pts) led the way for Ritana who, by virtue of their swarming defence and fitness, pushed the more mature team to their limits.

Ishtar Mackey-Huriwai: remember the name.

The 13-year-old scored 10 points in Manu Tu's 40-27 win against Dem Air Ballers and impressed greatly with her composure and the time she seemed to have when she had the ball.

The game had some spectacular plays: Maiangi Mackey's three-point shot off the backboard from the left for 8-0 to Manu Tu, her teammate Natalie Mackey's classic left-hand lay-up for 12-3 and, for Dem Air Ballers, Tamara Hedge's perfect length-of-the court pass to Angel Henry to close it to 16-7.

Gisborne basketball will always have its lighter moments. One came three minutes into the second period . . . Hedge took a tumble at the free-throw line and seconds later Maiangi Mackey did much the same on the three-point line at the other end of the court. Both players saw the funny side.

However, for the second week in a row, the women's champions were all business.

Ngati Porou beat a young Gisborne Girls' High School team 88-16 with four players — Maia Rickard, 25pts, their best — scoring in double-figures.

For Girls' High, newcomer Grace Levy made a remarkable jumpshot, curling from the left, and later took a steal.

For Ngati Porou, former Lytton High School captain Jayda Waititi-Leach beat two defensive players to make the lay-up for 36-10, a ruthless finish.

A Grade, YMCA

Ngati Porou 88 (Maia Rickard 25, Bronya McMenamin 21, Jayda Waititi-Leach 19, Talon August 13, Te Oriwa Tuipulotu-Collier 11) Gisborne Girls' High School 16 (Peyton Riri 10).

Manu Tu 40 (Ishtar Mackey-Huriwai 10, Maiangi Mackey 8) Dem Air Ballers 27 (Harata Hailey 12, Angel Henry 6).

Stretchmarks 46 (Wanita Tuwairua-Brown 16, Dyani Johnson 16) Ritana 42 (Piper Donaldson 13, Amoe Wharehinga 10).

B Grade, John McFarlane Memorial Sports Centre

Riverina 25 (Erin Sycamore 9, Natalie Te Kani 7) Horouta 22 (Paare Ahuriri-Leach 9, Sarah Rutene 5).

SE Systems 46 (Lauren Bennett 19, Freya Wilson 8) Horouta 42 (Missy Matahiki 21, Amo Te Rauna-Lamont 12).