THE PUSH to get age representative basketball back on the map in Whanganui is paying dividends after the two new-look under-17 squads had success in Paraparaumu on Saturday. After the first open training session in late January organised by the Whanganui Basketball Association, the girls and boys under-17 teams were formed,along with a boys under-19 squad. They have been training four times a week with 6am starts on Tuesdays and Thursday's, followed by Friday gym sessions and more Saturday squad training. In Paraparaumu, the Whanganui under-17 girls, who are actually aged 12-15, beat both Levin and Kapiti under-15 to win their mini-tournament. The Under-17 boys, coached by Anthony Brown, played in a larger tournament and won both their pool games, before meeting the strong Manukura squad in the final. Spokesman Paul Berridge said Manukura were a strong, well-drilled squad from that chartered school, and the new Whanganui team lost by nine. The under-17 girls did well to beat Levin 40-36 in their first game, coming back from 15-1 down at quartertime. Coach Taare Henry said the girls had been nervous about playing a competitive tournament for the first time, and the Levin supporters were creating a lot of noise - cheering every bucket. "I got them together and said, 'all this, that cheering, it's all superficial. Keep your head in the game'." Whanganui then reversed the score in the second quarter to tie the match 16-16, and captain Maarie Mareikura Ellery went on a 12-point scoring burst in the second half to help seal the win. Playing forward or guard, Maia Ramis also played well but Henry said it was a true team effort. "One of the things they always say is, 'I got my girl's back'." The under-19 boy's team under coach Ross Cronshaw will have their first hit out together this weekend. The Whanganui teams will play in the Mel Young Classic, being held in Tauranga and Rotorua over Easter Weekend.
GOT YOUR BACK: The Whanganui Under-17 girls celebrate winning their inaugural games as a team at the weekend. PHOTO/FILE
