AUSTRALIAN BOYS AND GIRLS STAY UNDEFEATED AT FIBA U15 OCEANIA CHAMPS

Australian Boys:

The Aussies hit the court in the morning to take on Fiji and while they took a half to settle into things yesterday, they showed no such signs today with an 11-0 run to begin the game.

Despite Fiji getting on the scoreboard, Australia kept their foot down and raced to a 41-2 lead at quarter-time and the second quarter followed a similar pattern, with ten Aussies on the scoreboard by the main break.

They went on to win every quarter convincingly and while Fiji held them to only 14 points in the final quarter, Matthew Wacher (two points, three assists, five steals) was able to ensure every Australian player hit the scoreboard for the second straight game in the 119-27 win.

Harry Johnson’s 19 points and nine rebounds paced the team although Harrison Pennisi (17 points, eight rebounds), Matthew Thomson (15 points, four steals), Sejr Deans (15 points), Marcus Windhager (13 points, seven steals) and Jack McWilliams (12 points, three blocks) all notched double-figures to help Australia shoot 62% from the field.

Their full-court pressure also enabled them to tally 71 points off turnovers while holding Fiji to 26% shooting.

Find the box score here.

Backing up in the evening against Guam, the boys showed no signs of fatigue as they began with another blistering 14-0 run.

They were never troubled, putting together a complete performance with a 57-11 second half to run out 113-30 victors.

Johnson backed up with 16 points, matched by Deans who also had 16 to go along with five assists while Windhager (14 points, five assists, five steals), Dyson Daniels (13 points, three steals) and McWilliams (ten points) excelled as well.

In addition, Pennisi and Thomson held down the paint as they combined for 16 points and 16 boards, matching Guam who had 16 rebounds as a team.

Find the box score here and watch a replay of the contest below.

The boys now back up against New Zealand tomorrow in their penultimate group stage game, a clash that will also be live-streamed.

Australian Girls:

In a Trans-Tasman clash against New Zealand, the Australian girls powered on from their impressive opening day performance with a 94-34 victory.

Their offence took a few minutes to click but their defence was spectacular from the get-go, jumping out to a 7-0 lead before taking an 18-6 advantage into quarter-time.

They then held New Zealand to 2-12 shooting in the second period to open up an insurmountable 30-point advantage at the main break.

The Kiwi’s were able to find some space in the third quarter and reduce the damage to only 11 points for the term but Australia were back to their defensive best in a 27-6 final quarter in a comprehensive performance.

Forcing 33 turnovers, Australia were able to put up 29 more shots which the likes of Kate Deeble (17 points on 6-8 shooting), Luisa Fakalata (16 points on 8-10 shooting), Charlise Dunn (12 points), Shaneice Swain (11 points) and Zoe Crawford (ten points) enjoyed.

As a team, the Aussies only hit 2-18 from beyond the arc though which will be an area of improvement ahead of their own double-header tomorrow against Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

Find the box score here and watch a replay of the contest below.

Two more wins in their final group stage games tomorrow will book the girls a place in the Under-15 Oceania Championships gold medal game on Friday while also qualifying them for the Under-16 Asian Championships next year.

This competition is the first step for the Australian Sapphires and Crocs on their way to the 2020 FIBA Under-17 World Cup’s.

If they finish in the top two of the Under-15 Oceania Championship, Australia will qualify for the Under-16 Asian Championships next year and a top-four finish there will secure a place at the Under-17 World Cup.

All games on Court 1 at the Under-15 Oceania’s will be live-streamed and you can find a schedule of Australia’s games for the girls and boys below. Please note the altered schedule with Tonga a late omission from the tournament.

The 2018 Boys and Girls Schedules for the FIBA Under-15 Oceania Championships (all times AEDT):

December 4: Australian Girls def. Samoa (111-29)
December 4: Australian Boys def. Samoa (90-49)
December 5: Australian Boys def. Fiji (119-27)
December 5: Australian Girls def. New Zealand (94-34)
December 5: Australian Boys def. Guam (113-30)
December 6: Australian Girls vs. Fiji at 11am
December 6: Australian Boys vs. New Zealand at 4pm (Live-Streamed)
December 6: Australian Girls vs. Papua New Guinea at 8pm (Live-Streamed)
December 7: Australian Boys vs. Papua New Guinea at 8pm (Live-Streamed)
December 8: Australian Girls Medal Games. Bronze at 2pm, Gold at 6pm (Live-Streamed)
December 8: Australian Boys Medal Games. Bronze at 4pm, Gold at 8pm (Live-Streamed)

The post AUSTRALIAN BOYS AND GIRLS STAY UNDEFEATED AT FIBA U15 OCEANIA CHAMPS appeared first on Basketball Australia.

The Australian boys have navigated a double-header in the span of five hours and the Aussie girls got the better of New Zealand as they both remain undefeated at the FIBA Under-15 Oceania Championships.

The post AUSTRALIAN BOYS AND GIRLS STAY UNDEFEATED AT FIBA U15 OCEANIA CHAMPS appeared first on Basketball Australia.