Kiwi Men Rule Oceania FIBA 3x3
New Zealand showed its ability in the FIBA 3×3 format when it captured the Oceania youth men’s title at Coffs Harbour this week.
The Kiwi team of Doven Barlow (Waikato), Jaylen Gerrand (Hibiscus Coast), Raymond Penny (Counties Manukau) and Jack Salt (North Harbour) lost a pool game to Australia Green (7-12), but qualified for the semifinals by accounting for Tonga (21-3) and Samoa (21-4) in their other pool games.
After defeating Australia Gold 18-14 in the semis, NZ found themselves up against Australia Green again for the title and this time made no mistake, prevailing 18-12.
“The team was focussed and imposed our game plan on Australia from the start with Jack Salt our ‘go-to’ man in the post,” said coach Anthony Corban, who steered New Zealand to the FIBA 3×3 Youth World Championship title last year.
“Our guards made some crucial open jump shots and we won the hustle plays.”
The NZ women’s team of Ella Fotu (North Harbour), Pareraukura Gilmartin-Kara (Waikato), Maria Milani (Waitakere West Auckland) and Lyric Taurua-Wolfgramm (Waitakere West Auckland), coached by Tania Hunter, also contested their final.
After losing to Australia Gold (9-11), they qualified for semifinals with victories over Fiji (13-9) and Samoa (21-8). They edged Australia Green 11-10 at the knockout stage, but fell by the same score to their old adversaries, Australia Gold.
Videos of the games are available at sportwebasts.com
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