A source of talent and ability from an otherwise unheralded corner was exposed in the 3x3 B-ball Rematch held at Kaitaia College gymnasium on a recent Sunday.
The event, organised by the Tawhara Crown brothers Te Manawanui, 15, and Te Hauroamairangi, 13, aka the Busking B-Ballers, was a sequel to an earlier tournament the pair ran at the Kaitaia squash club courts.
As well as being successful in player turnout, the Social Innovation Fund Challenge event also doubled as a fundraiser to help Te Manawanui and good friend LJ Tatana participate in the NABI indigenous basketball tournament in Arizona earlier this month.
The 3x3 B-Ball Rematch attracted six junior division and eight senior division teams , with the games cheered on by an estimated crowd of 60-plus spectators during the afternoon.
The junior final was won by Team Adidas (Awa, Jayden, Whitianga and Reihana) who beat Williams St 1 (Te Manawa, Daniel, Kybah, Tai and Rob).
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Advertise with NZME.The senior final had A-Town (Quintin, LJ, Rapine and Dylan) just winning in a tough clash against against Turangawaewae (Beau, Te Awariki, Kenocak and Waimaru).
An 'Oldies' game between adults also added to the afternoon's entertainment and showed off some surprisingly talented skills from principal Jack Saxon, local doctor Joel Pirini and DJ Venom among others.
Both Te Manawanui and LJ had fundraised for months to reach their goals and they planned to wow the scouts while representing in a Tribes of NZ team.
They left on July 6 and returned on Tuesday, July 18.
