Under-15 girls learn lessons at tournament

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The Gisborne Basketball Association under-15 girls lost all six of their games at the HoopNation tournament in Tauranga over Labour Weekend, but it takes a lot more than that to slow them down.

“This weekend was about learning to deal with full-court pressure, high speed, intensity and physicality,” coach Adrian Sparks said.

“This was the seventh year of the tournament and the first time that under-13s and under-15s have been included.

“It’s huge — 112 teams across seven divisions from u13s to elite — really well-run and of a very high standard.”

Sparks stressed that the purpose of the weekend was to develop players, such as promising 12-year-olds Paige Tamatea, Y8 at Gisborne Intermediate School; Jasmine Sparks, Y8 at Campion College; and Skye Swann, Y7 at Gulf Harbour School in Auckland.

Captain and point guard Peyton Riri started the weekend strongly, with an 11-point game in the 40-26 loss to Phoenix. Both Tangiahua Kerekere and Lindsey Pihema made three-point shots in the tournament opener, with the u15s’ tallest player, Michaella Upston, rebounding strongly.

In Game 2, Kerekere sank two three-pointers, both she and Riri scoring eight points against the Roar (80-24), a strong unit featuring Waikato age-group representatives.

In Game 3, centre Upston opened the scoring against the Paul Henare and Paora Winitana Academy, Piper Donaldson scoring four points for Gisborne in a 50-14 result.

On Day 2, Kerekere (8pts) and Upston (6pts) led the u15s’ scorers in a 67-24 loss to Pathways Z, followed by a 49-15 result against Pathways X.

Riri led by example in Game 5, playing with grit to score six points.

The GBA u15 girls finished their tournament with a 45-16 loss to Ngamotu, Paige Tamatea scoring the team’s last field goal.

“The right things are being taught to the Gisborne kids — they were well-drilled,” said former National Basketball League shooting guard Paul Berridge, who founded HoopNation with KJ Allen.

“There’s always been a very strong culture of basketball in Gisborne and the game there is growing.

“We’re about giving kids from not just the larger centres but also the provinces an opportunity to express themselves and understand where they are, what they need to work on.”

Sparks said all the girls had the right attitude.

“They worked hard in all facets and had a great time on the trip.”

He thanked Rebekha Upston and Emma Riri for their support as managers.

“They looked after all of us.”