Ngapuhi women finish first at world youth tournament
The Ngapuhi women won their division at the World Indigenous Youth Basketball Tournament in Hawaii earlier this week.
Following an initial 6 point defeat to the Alaskans, the team went on the rampage to take 30-40 point victories over Feilding, Kealakehe, Feilding again (in place of Hawaiian Prep) and, ultimately, a 56-29 win over Honokaa to seal the WYBT 2018 title.
The standout was Kerri Johnson’s triple double (25 points, 10+ steals and 10+ rebounds) in one of the two matches against Feilding, alongside an all round performance which spurred a talented squad to a WYBT title, well above the expectations of coach Delwyn Rameka, noted Ngaphui spokesman Mel Rameka.
Also notable were captain Madaya Butler, “an absolute beast defensively in the mid court” with double figures in steals and rebounds; Phoenix Littin, a huge defensive and offensive presence despite being battered and bruised and just off the plane hours after helping the NZ Dutch Barbarians claim fourth spot in the World Secondary School Rugby Sevens tournament; while Linda Johnston, Jessie Ngawati, Jessica Wikaira-Harris and Psalm Cassidy were a formidable trio under the hoop in making sure teams struggled to score or mount comebacks with shot blocks and rebounds at both ends of the court.
Elsewhere, the Ngapuhi boys team managed to secure third place overall in their grade despite a trend which saw them leading other games at halftime only to hit a dry spell in one of the closing quarters. Standouts were power forward Richard Muunu, captain Damien Renata, Willy Whiu and Jhontae Rameka and Wayne-David Hetaraka on defence with Rehia Epiha-Webb, Rehutai Kingi and Raniera Turner strong off the bench.
Both teams enjoyed a well deserved break before their next lot of games against local teams before returning home.