WBC (2009)
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The NZWNBC concluded in Wellington at the weekend with defending champions North Harbour Breeze successfully defending their title despite losing the opening game of the tournament to the Taranaki Trojans The preceding rounds in Auckland and Dunedin determined the seeding for the Wellington tournament. The top four teams, North Harbour Breeze, Taranaki Trojans, Canterbury Wildcats Wildcats and Otago Breakers Gold Rush competed for the Championship title whilst the remaining six teams battled it out for the Plate title. The Breeze beat Canterbury Wildcats 73-65 and Otago Breakers overcame Taranaki 63-50 in the semi finals to set up a north versus south clash in the final. Harbour started strongly and led by double figures midway through the opening quarter but Otago Breakers, with Suzie Bates making a couple of threes reduced the deficit to just a single point at quarter time (18-17). Early in the second stanza Otago Breakers led by 5 points however, the Breeze boasting a number of former internationals turned up the defensive intensity and took a 49-28 lead into the half time break. The Breeze maintained the pressure in the third period and with the interior presence of Karlene Kingi starting to tell finished the third period with a 28 points buffer, eventually winning 80-53. Kingi finished with a game high 22 points whilst tournament MVP Charmian Purcell had a double double of 21 points and 10 rebounds. The result was a fitting climax for coach Brett Goebel and a number of his senior players who may not return for another campaign next year. They leave having won three consecutive championships and an impressive 58 wins, 2 loss record over the past four years. The Plate Final was contested by the two Waikato teams the Wizards and the Cougars with the Wizards led by Leanne Walker prevailing 73-65 over their local rivals. A number of the players on show in this tournament now head into the NZ Tall Ferns training camp to prepare for the FIBA Oceania Championships against Australia being held at the end of this month. SEMI FINALS North Harbour Breeze 72; Charmian Purcell 23, Karlene Kingi 12 Canterbury Wildcats 51; Megan Shea 14, Georgina Richards 10 Otago Breakers Gold Rush 63; Suzie Bates 25, Janet Main 11 Taranaki Trojans 50; Zoe Kensington 9 FINAL North Harbour Breeze 80; Karlene Kingi 22, Charmian Purcell 21, Chanel Pompallier12 Otago Breakers Gold Rush 53; Suzie Bates 14, Elise Cassidy 13, Samara Gallaher 11 PLATE FINAL Waikato Wizards 73; Miriam Slatter 21, Leanne Walker 19 Waikato Cougars 65; Moengaroa Subritzki 19, Letava Whippy 18 7th/8th CLASSIFICATION Wellington Swish 88; Molly McCullum 19, Renea Leota 17 NZ Academy 83; Jelena Vucinic 24, Milika Nathan 14, Anna Lacey 14 9th/10th CLASSIFICATION Greater Auckland (GABBA) 72; Stevie Theyers 24, Adoniah Lewis 13 Hutt Valley 53; Mariana Cowan 14, Iva Filipo 10, Harbour Breeze earn the third straight WBC title - Aug 22, 2009 The Harbour Breeze defended their two-time WBC title. They overcame the Otago Gold Rush in the championship game today to celebrate a historic success. Karlene Kingi (188-C-85) nailed 22 points to pace the Breeze to an 80:53 success tonight. Leading by just a single point after ten minutes Harbour stepped on the gas in the second and third frame to clear off for good in this one. Charmain Purcell added 21 points for the champs. Suzie Bates (175-G-87) responded with 14 points for Otago. Elise Cassidy (172-G-87) had 13 points in defeat. Earlier in the day the Harbour Breeze took care of the Canterbury Wildcats 72:51 behind 23 points from Charmain Purcell (180-G/F-79). Megan Shea (183-F) had 14 points for the Wildcats. Otago outgunned the Taranaki Trojans 63:50 in the second semifinal battle. Suzie Bates was pivotal with 25 points. Zoe Kensington had 9 points in the losing effort. The Waikato Wizards clinched the fifth spot with a 73:65 win over the Waikato Cougars. Molly McCallum chipped in 19 points. The Wellington Swish finished in the 7th position as they rallied past NZ Academy 88:83. Stevee Theyers nailed 22 points for the Swish. Finally the Gabba Gators claimed the 9th position after a 72:53 success over Hutt Valley. Miriam Slatter netted 21 points in the win. |
