U15 girls make basketball nationals

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They’re through — the Gisborne Basketball Association under 15 girls have qualified for the 20-team Aon National Championships.

The girls were placed third out of five teams at the Queen’s Birthday Weekend Zone 3 qualifying tournament, so go through to the nationals to be held in Tauranga over July 17-20.

The boys finished sixth of eight teams but had the immense satisfaction of reversing a 54-69 loss to Manawatu B in Game 2 of pool play on Day 1 with a 73-71 win at the cross-over stage on Day 3.

“The girls played solid defence right from the start and their transition-offense improved as the tourney went on,” said GBA u15 girls coach Dwayne Tamatea.

“They played their own roles well, eg the little things: good team basketball.”

The girls lost 38-66 to Taranaki A in Game 1 and 49-50 to Hawke’s Bay also on Day 1, despite Gisborne captain Piper Donaldson’s eight-point tally in Game 1 and 15pts in the tough one-point loss to Hawke’s Bay.

They made a thrilling start to Day 2, victorious in an 84-79 shoot-out v Taranaki B. They also emptied their cannons in an 80-82 loss to Manawatu in Game 4.

After a convincing 69-49 win v Taranaki B and another 20-point result (60-40) against Manawatu on Day 3, they finished with three wins and three losses.

The Adam Tapsell-coached boys began their three-day campaign with a 26-108 loss to Hawke’s Bay A before a much-improved showing against Manawatu B, though they went down 54-69 (Sebastian Wilson 14 points, Saffin Tuwairua-Brown 11pts). On Day 2, they lost 39-81 to a powerful Taranaki crew. Then came their epic win in Game 4 before losing their last game 48-84 to Hawke’s Bay B. They finished with one win and four losses.

“The GBA is doing great things for the game in Gisborne,” said Basketball Taranaki secretary Eileen Hall.

“Despite the distance to travel involved, your teams always attend our tournaments and events here in Taranaki.

“We’re pleased you guys are being showcased in The Gisborne Herald and we love having GBA teams here.”