Fun, cheers, some sore bones and a whole lot of sweat were some of the results of a successful New Years Bounce Basketball Tournament. With a full compliment of teams and few disappointed groups that missed the cut, games got underway a little after the scheduled start time.

 

Right from the outset, it was evident that the teams were not just coming along for just a fun day out as there was some fierce competition and lots of jostling and committed bodies being put on the line. Local team Avalicious 2 lead by the experienced Strickland Upu and team Elmon, a mix of locals and overseas players got the ball bouncing at the TSA with the major difference at the end being the Elmon two pronged attack of Jason and Richelle Topui, 8 and 11 points respectively to close out the game for their team.

 

With the mixed tournament format and some modified rule changes, games were more evenly contested as the guys would either have to make their perimeter or 3 point shots or pass the ball to give the women the inside drive and lay-up – an area that is usually dominated by the taller males in the sport. Another modified rule change that ended up having an effect on the players was the actual playing time as more fouls were being registered later in the day than in the earlier stages of the tournament.

 

Tournament pool play sorted out the top two teams from each pool to play in the cross over semi-finals. First semi saw local team Up and Go play the Warriors, a NZ based side with Auckland Basketball stalwart George Savila. Up and Go literally had too many legs for the Warriors who struggled with the heat and also the loss of a couple of key players who had to return on the late afternoon flight. An energized effort from Fano 10 points and the sharp shooting of Nancy Teulilo 11 points being the difference in their sides win over the Warriors 31-12.

 

The second semi-final between Shark Force and Elmon was a tighter game, with a ‘tit for tat’ exchange of scores before a final flurry of baskets from young guns Tama Carr 6 points and Scott Cameron 7 points to win out over Elmon 27 – 18.

 

Finals time and game 15 of a non stop, 10 hour playing day, still managed to produce some spectacular basketball. With both Up and Go and Shark Force unbeaten in their run to the final, baskets were still dropping and tenacious defense was still being applied. Up and Go hustled with Fano and Jedrick Engu and with Clifford Atuatika guiding their team were able to re-haul in the lead after being down by 8 in the final quarter of the game. Players were brought in off the Sharks bench to bolster the effort and through Brendon Heath and Max they were able to give their team a chance by tying up the scores with under a minute and a half to go. Energizer man Fano was able to break the deadlock for Up and Go giving them the 27-25 advantage inside the last minute of play. However, with under 10 seconds remaining on the clock, and Up and Go needing to get and retain possession to hold out, Scott Cameron, one of the Sharks fortuitous acquisitions for the day slotted a big 3 pointer from about a half a meter outside the arc to steal the game 28-27. Cameron also top scored the game with 14 points.  

 

Thank you to all teams, players, spectators, TSA management and most importantly the officials for helping to get Basketball off on the right bounce for 2014.

 

CIBF