Turanganui-a-Kiwa teams shine at national Maori tournament

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

They were spectacularly successful.

The local basketball fraternity has good reason to be proud of their age-group players, teams, coaches and high-quality development programme/infrastructure.

Five teams represented Turanganui-a-Kiwa at the National Maori Tournament in Rotorua.

The Thomas Tindale-coached u13 and u15 girls, both teams competing in the B Grade, were unbeaten and won gold.

Reg Namana's u11 girls, in the B Grade, won gold and his u15 boys, also in the B Grade, won silver.

The Adrian Sparks-coached u13 boys, in the A Grade, won bronze.

The u13 girls, led by captain Bobbi Crawford, beat Raukawa 38-2, Ahuriri 35-27, Ngati Toa 42-16, Horowhenua 62-16, Tamaki ki Te Tonga 40-32 and, in the final, Ahuriri 39-20.

Under-15s captain Piper Donaldson led her team to victory over Ngati Mauri 30-14, Ngati Tuwharetoa 31-7, Tamaki ki Te Tonga 26-25, Morehu 30-18, Muriwhenua 46-23 and, in the final, Ngati Maru 27-19.

Taimarie (Missy) Matahiki was the MVP (most valuable player) for the u13s, with Jasmine Sparks the MVP for the u15s.

“For the u13s, our main focus was defensive rebounding,” Tindale said.

“It was an issue at the regional tournament last year, and we improved there. Our passing and communication were also much better.

“When the opposition had the ball, our girls kept in front of them and were active in helping their teammates . . . and their defence was amazing.”

Reg Namana's u11 girls beat Ngati Maru 46-24, lost 27-26 to Muriwhenua, then beat Muaupoko 26-25, Rakaipaaka 30-8, Ahuriri 17-12 and Tuwharetoa 56-18. They won the final against Muriwhenua 19-14.

The u15 boys won five in a row leading to their final. They beat Rangitane 53-16, Rakaipaaka 67-27, Ngati Toa 58-19, Ngati Raukawa 66-25 and Ngati Kahungunu 34-27, before losing 27-21 to Tamaki ki Te Tonga.

Adrian Sparks's u13 boys, led by Quaydon Chaffey-Kora, began with a 32-59 loss to Nga Puhi then won three in row.

They beat Rangitane o Takaki Nui a Rua 48-22, Ngati Maru 49-18 and Rongomaiwahine 45-25 before losing 40-35 to Tuwharetoa in the semifinal.

They beat Heretaunga 43-31 in the playoff for third.

The next tournament on the calendar is Basketball Pacific's premier event, the 18-division Mel Young Easter Basketball Classic.

Last year 135 teams took part in this tournament, which was held at six venues in Tauranga from April 10 to 13.