AYOF: Oceania Women' pull historic victory; Men disappoint

History was made at the Australian Youth Olympics, with the Oceania women's team winning it's first ever international game with a 2 point win over neighbouring Pacific powerhouse New Zealand. The girls rebounded from their defeat to Australia yesterday by beating, New Zealand by 44 points to 42. A loud and enthusiastic crowd cheered the girls to victory, which was celebrated with tears and hugs by the players and staff. Prior to the game coach Whippy was confident that the girls could take the win, and during the game the spirit and determination of the Oceania girls became evident. Down by 9 at one stage of the game, the Oceaniennes fought back to take a 35-32 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter, capping a 14 point run against the tiring Kiwis. Valerie Nainima again led the Oceania girls in her captain and point guard role, controlling the offense and contributing 18 individual points. Agnes Tuilevuka put in 9 and Soana Lucet scored 8. The rebounding effort of Agnes Tuilevuka, one of the shorter Oceania players, was outstanding, pulling down 12 rebounds for the game. Soana Lucet contributed 8 rebounds, while Naiki Iorss pulled down 6.

The Oceania Men's All Star team suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of the New Zealand team 129 - 52 in their second game of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney. After a competitive first quarter, the relentless New Zealand full-court press was applied throughout the rest of the game until the full-time hooter and was able to force the Oceania boys into making too many turnovers. Combined with a superb shooting performance by the Kiwis, which included sixteen three-pointers; the boys from the Pacific never troubled the New Zealand team. Coach Angelo Francois-Elocie was disappointed that his team was not able to handle the relentless pressure that was applied by the Kiwis and felt in hindsight and considering the fine shooting performance by the New Zealanders that it was a mistake to play zone defence. However, he also questioned the value of the New Zealanders continuing to press for the whole game piling on seventy-seven points to Oceania's seventeen in the second half. For Oceania, their diminutive point guards Stephane Saminadin and Martin Mendoza who scored 14 and 11 points respectively led the scoring. Seve Susuico was again consistent inside scoring 11 points for his team. For New Zealand, Thomas Abercrombie top scored with 24 points including four three-pointers, Dylan Perfect-Tait scored 18 points with five three-pointers while Benny Anthony also scored 18 which included ten made free throws.