Junior Tall Ferns guarantee semi-final with another dominant win

Tournament favourites Australia were court-side to study the Junior Tall Ferns (JTFs) who stepped took on New Caledonia this morning, in their second pool game in the FIBA Under 18 Oceania Championships.

Despite Leger-Walker winning the tip off, the opening quarter was far from the clinical display shown by the JTFs the night before in their win against Guam.

The opening points were free-throws for each team after they traded fouls. Coach Matahaere quickly changed out the team, which he would do regularly throughout the game, but the JTFs still struggled to settle with turnovers and unnecessary fouls. Early indications were that New Caledonia were a more physical team than Guam and New Zealand would need to refocus. Still New Zealand managed to take 18 for the first quarter and keep their opponents to just 2.

The JTFs settled into the second quarter, while New Caledonia struggled to penetrate the Kiwis defence. New Caledonia refused to back down, but their physical cover often counted against them with their foul count ticking over at double the rate of the Kiwis.

JTFs Head Coach Brent Matehaere was happy to spread the load, with social minutes being dished out to his 12 players with quick rotations. Those who played slightly longer reflected in the scores, as Heremaia and Fuiava led the scoring by the end of the half, with the JTFs ahead 57 to 6.

As the third quarter ticked down, the New Zealanders fitness became a dominating factor. At times the Kiwis were guilty of playing individually, attacking the rim early through impenetrable lines, not looking for open players, throwing 50/50 passes. Of course this could be forgiven as the score began to blow out, New Caledonia struggling to get into double figures and New Zealand approaching the 100 mark, leading 96 to 8 at the close of the third quarter.

The final quarter was result of New Caledonian attrition. They had fought throughout, but again New Zealand were too fit, too quick and too precise. New Zealand regularly snatched unmerciful steals and fired out fast breaks at will to finish off the game.

With two big pool-game wins against Guam and now New Caledonia, the New Zealanders are guaranteed a semi-final sport. Of course the tournament favourites are on the other side of the draw - Australia has been fierce in their dismantling of Group A. The Aussies are made up of near-professional players, with the majority ensconced in the Australian Centre of Excellence. The Kiwis will need to be far more disciplined and address personal inconsistencies quickly if they are to match the powerhouse favourites from across the Tasman.

Final Score Junior Tall Ferns 126, New Caledonia 15.

Top scorers: Jillings 19, Fuiava 18, Dale 15.

The Junior Tall Blacks will take the court later today against Samoa, in their first hit out at the event. The game will be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/FIBA

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Basketball New Zealand