National Champs
AUCKLAND - 2006 WCBL CHAMPIONS
#4 Nicole Dunn
#5 Amanda Harris
#6 Jordan Hunter
#7 Micaela Cocks
#8 Chelsea Terei
#9 Jesscia McCormack
#10 Lisa Wallbutton
#11 Joanne Hoyes (Captain)
#12 Erica McCormack
#13 Philippa Charlesworth
#14 Chanel Pompalier
#15 Justine Reed
When one refers to the "Battle of the Bridge" one can instantly expect an exciting game of basketball be in the making, as was the case at the WCBL Finals at AUT Northcote on Saturday when Harbour encountered their first loss of the season to Auckland.
A hard fought game from start to finish and the longest game I have ever witnessed (2hrs.10mins) This certainly tested the endurance of the players and the fatigue was beginning to show on the faces of both teams as the minutes slowly whittled down.
No words were more pleasing to the ear then to hear the referee call `Game Over' making Auckland the 2006 WCBL Championship Winners. The win may have only come by a 1-point margin but the scoreboard could have read 100 points and the elation would still have been the same.
Auckland 75 (M Cocks 31, L Wallbutton 17, J Hoyes 11) Harbour 74 (N Wharemate 27, C Purcell 13, J Kailahi 12, J Tini 10) Lisa Wallbutton and Micaela Cocks were both named in the 'All Star 5' with Micaela deservedly named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
The entire team played an outstanding game and it's with full credit to Coach Aik Ho for his outstanding work he has done with this group of athletes throughout the season.
Dedicating the game to a loyal supporter Jean Bell and nana to Amanda Harris our number 1 point guard who passed away earlier in the week one can only imagine how very proud she would be of us all.
When we set out on our path our objective was to prepare a large majority of our younger players for the NZ U19 Junior Tall Ferns & the NZ U21 Tall Fern trials and to win the WCBL.
Occasionally clouded by politics, something one can expect in any sport we remained focused throughout, kept our composure and the rest is history as the fruits of our labour started paying big dividends and we were able to ride the crest of the waves.
Starting with Aik Ho's appointment as the NZ U21 Tall Ferns Assistant Coach, followed by Auckland's Championship title at the NZ U19 Nationals whereby 3 of our girls made the "Tournament Team" Jordan Hunter, Jessica McCormack and Erica Hopkinson who received the prestigious honour of MVP. From there, Jordan Hunter made the NZ U19 Junior Tall Ferns, missing the final game against Harbour as the team flew out for Australia for the Oceania Qualifying series later in the week.
When the NZ U21 Tall Ferns was announced, naming 5 of our girls in the squad, Lisa Wallbutton, Chelsea Terei, Jessica McCormack, Erica Hopkinson & Micaela Cocks, coming 4th at the William Jones Tournament in Taiwan and who are now in camp preparing for the U21 Oceania Qualifying series against Australia, we knew without doubt that we were on track with one hurdle to go and that was to take out the WCBL title which was achieved with flying colours.
When you think it can't get better then that, we can look toward the NZ U23 Nationals in October, where the nucleus of this team are eligible and with the inclusion of other great players within Auckland the prospect of bringing home another National title is looking great.
Regards Philomena
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#4 Nicole Dunn
#5 Amanda Harris
#6 Jordan Hunter
#7 Micaela Cocks
#8 Chelsea Terei
#9 Jesscia McCormack
#10 Lisa Wallbutton
#11 Joanne Hoyes (Captain)
#12 Erica McCormack
#13 Philippa Charlesworth
#14 Chanel Pompalier
#15 Justine Reed
When one refers to the "Battle of the Bridge" one can instantly expect an exciting game of basketball be in the making, as was the case at the WCBL Finals at AUT Northcote on Saturday when Harbour encountered their first loss of the season to Auckland.
A hard fought game from start to finish and the longest game I have ever witnessed (2hrs.10mins) This certainly tested the endurance of the players and the fatigue was beginning to show on the faces of both teams as the minutes slowly whittled down.
No words were more pleasing to the ear then to hear the referee call `Game Over' making Auckland the 2006 WCBL Championship Winners. The win may have only come by a 1-point margin but the scoreboard could have read 100 points and the elation would still have been the same.
Auckland 75 (M Cocks 31, L Wallbutton 17, J Hoyes 11) Harbour 74 (N Wharemate 27, C Purcell 13, J Kailahi 12, J Tini 10) Lisa Wallbutton and Micaela Cocks were both named in the 'All Star 5' with Micaela deservedly named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
The entire team played an outstanding game and it's with full credit to Coach Aik Ho for his outstanding work he has done with this group of athletes throughout the season.
Dedicating the game to a loyal supporter Jean Bell and nana to Amanda Harris our number 1 point guard who passed away earlier in the week one can only imagine how very proud she would be of us all.
When we set out on our path our objective was to prepare a large majority of our younger players for the NZ U19 Junior Tall Ferns & the NZ U21 Tall Fern trials and to win the WCBL.
Occasionally clouded by politics, something one can expect in any sport we remained focused throughout, kept our composure and the rest is history as the fruits of our labour started paying big dividends and we were able to ride the crest of the waves.
Starting with Aik Ho's appointment as the NZ U21 Tall Ferns Assistant Coach, followed by Auckland's Championship title at the NZ U19 Nationals whereby 3 of our girls made the "Tournament Team" Jordan Hunter, Jessica McCormack and Erica Hopkinson who received the prestigious honour of MVP. From there, Jordan Hunter made the NZ U19 Junior Tall Ferns, missing the final game against Harbour as the team flew out for Australia for the Oceania Qualifying series later in the week.
When the NZ U21 Tall Ferns was announced, naming 5 of our girls in the squad, Lisa Wallbutton, Chelsea Terei, Jessica McCormack, Erica Hopkinson & Micaela Cocks, coming 4th at the William Jones Tournament in Taiwan and who are now in camp preparing for the U21 Oceania Qualifying series against Australia, we knew without doubt that we were on track with one hurdle to go and that was to take out the WCBL title which was achieved with flying colours.
When you think it can't get better then that, we can look toward the NZ U23 Nationals in October, where the nucleus of this team are eligible and with the inclusion of other great players within Auckland the prospect of bringing home another National title is looking great.
Regards Philomena
--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.10.5/404 - Release Date: 31/07/2006
Last Modified on 03/08/2006 10:34
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