It was a hugely popular and emotional success when Hiona won the women's title at the first annual Sharon Waitere and Ralph Carroll Memorial basketball tournament played in Masterton.
In an exciting tourney where no team remained unbeaten, Hiona were the underdogs in the women's final where they met All Stars
from Wellington, who had beaten them by all of 20 points in round robin play.
But with the home crowd cheering their every move a Hiona side spearheaded by Waitere's daughter Eboni and Carroll's daughter Geraldine made no race of it, winning 43-32. Also outstanding for Hiona was Michelle Teahan who utilised her height to good effect in scoring 30 points
The men's final featured All Stars and Highway Scorpions, both of whom finished their round robin play with one loss. Their clash there resulted in a two goal win to All Stars but it was a different story in the final with a Scorpions team including ex-Tall Black Kent Mori and locals Gareth Teahan, Grant Langlands and Mike Grace running out comfortable winners 58-40.
Mori scored 30 points with three consecutive three pointers having a big say in the outcome. Palmerston North Jets guard Dan Simon also made a couple of three pointers at a vital stage, despite being slowed by an ankle injury.
The tourney proved a huge success with over 400 people cramming into the stadium to watch the finals. In fact, it was such a success that plans are for next year's event to be played over three days so as more teams can be accommodated.
