Basketballers step up to next level
Seven Marlborough representative basketballers have taken their skills to a higher level.
Billie Watson and Ella Donald play as guards for the Tasman under-17 girls side. Both have represented Tasman teams in previous years and have stepped into leadership roles this season as cocaptains.
The third Marlborough player in the Tasman U17 mix is Anna Gardiner, who is new to the team after representing Tasman at the under-15 tournament last year. Gardiner, who plays as a forward, is a very handy player with a wide skill-set.
The U17 side competed last week in Wellington, placing 13th with a winning record of four wins and three losses.
Kobe Miller started in the forward position for the Tasman under-17 boys combination who also played in Wellington last week. He combined a hard-nosed defensive attitude with a knack for scoring, producing a pair of 20+ point games.
His team were placed in a very tough pool and only managed to win one game, before taking out three games in the 13-16th place bracket to place 13th overall.
Vili Pale and Toby Witehira play as forwards for the Tasman under-15 boys side. This is the first year they have represented a Tas- man team, testament to the hard work they have put in over the past nine months.
Pale is a strong post player who has the ability to shoot three pointers, a very tough combination for opponents to defend, while Witehira is a rangy forward who excels in the open floor, setting the pace on fast breaks to out run his opposition.
Lily Crawford is a forward with the Tasman under-15 girls team. She possesses rare size for her age, helping her pull down rebounds and adjust opposition shots. This is her first year representing Tasman.
Both under-15 teams are competing at the national U15 champs in Dunedin this week.