"She said that I should keep following my dream and go hard and play my own game."
The Rotorua Girls' High School student said she loved playing basketball.
"I like meeting new people and the game. I really love the game and when you get a swish, I love that sound."
It will be the first time Pareunuora, 14, has played for New Zealand while Awatea, 15, made the team last year as well.
Awatea said the selection process was really tough this year with selectors whittling down a group of 30 girls to 10.
"I was still nervous even though it was my second time [trialling], it was still nerve-racking," she said.
The competition will include about 20 Australian state teams.
Awatea said it was a tough tournament but she enjoyed the challenge of playing against the top young players in Australia.
"It was really hard [last year] because of the way they play - like their skills and their understanding of the game," she said.
"Everyone in the opposition teams were skilled and the smaller people could post up."
Pareunuora said it would be special pulling on the New Zealand singlet for the first time - "because you can represent the country and make them proud".
The John Paul College student was looking forward to playing against tougher competition.
"It's really a new experience for me, I guess."
The pair have been playing together in Rotorua age-group teams since they were 9 and should form a good combination on the court.
