Queensland North U16s win bronze at nationals

BY VELMA GARA

Queensland North won the bronze medal at the U16 basketball Nationals held in Warwick, Western Australia, last weekend.

Their medal game against New South Wales Metro went into overtime but the Maroons prevailed in a tight finish at 72-70.

The game was locked at 62 for both teams at the end of regular time.

Cairns guard, Taryn Bond, had 18 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and five steals in the medal game.

She played a leading role with the North team, averaging 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists for the tournament.

Teammate, Leah Pearson, also from Cairns, averaged five points, three rebounds and two assists.

Queensland North won five games overall, losing just one –to New South Wales Metro – in their pool round.

At the crossover quarter finals, they played against Queensland South winning, 66-52.

The win meant the North team played in the semi-finals and had they won, they would have played for the gold medal.

Unfortunately, they lost heavily to South Australia Metro, 77-53.

South Australia Metro went on to win the gold medal game against Victoria Metro, 71-55.

Queensland South won their last game against Victoria Country, 74-56 and secured fifth place overall at the nationals.

It was Mya Moke’s first nationals and she learnt a lot.

Her average was seven points, two rebounds and two assists.

Jawai, Cedar, Swain & Williams score for teams

Centre Nathan Jawai again had limited minutes of court time of 11.22mins and had six points and three rebounds.

In other results Townsville Heat won against Northside Wizards, 104-86.

Guard Michael Cedar had 15 points, four rebounds and three assists.

For the Wizards, guard Deshawn Ross-Paiwan, had four points and two rebounds.

Wizards had played Cairns the previous night on Friday, with both teams getting the wins.

Men’s team defeated Marlins, 88-86.

Ross-Paiwan again had four points.

The loss for Marlins meant they moved from 4th on the ladder to 7th.

Dolphins lost to the Wizards, 110-72.

WNBA-bound guard, Shaneice Swain, had 15 points and Leichan LJ Williams had six points.

Teammate, Teyahna Bond, did not play due to attending the U16 Nationals in Warwick, West Australia, she was with her family to watch younger sister, Taryn, who was a member of the Queensland North team.

South West Metro played two games and split thoselosing to Logan Thunder at home, 71-61.

Then the following night played USC Rip City and won, 80-79.

Pirates men had the opposite results - won against Logan (89-82) but lost to Rip City (103-77).

Leader of the men’s competition, Gold Coast, continued to play solid basketball in the last round, defeating Red City Roar by a large margin, 110-80.

This weekend the Rollers will be hosting Logan Thunder who are second on the ladder which will be a great way for both teams to prepare for the playoffs.