9 hours ago
Two newbies named in Tall Ferns FIBA Asia Cup squad
Tayla Dalton (right) defends against You Tang of China.
Photo:
PHOTOSPORT
Two potential debutants have been named in the Tall Ferns squad for the upcoming FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China.
Head coach Natalie Hurst has named a squad of 12 plus two reserves with Rebecca Pizzey and Olivia Williams in the New Zealand women's basketball team for the first time.
"Olivia brings more length on the wing. She's a defensive minded player who shows great instincts at that end, and isn't afraid to make a big play at the offensive end as well. Rebecca is a high IQ player. She also has great length at the defensive end and can stretch the floor at the offensive end. Another mobile big who can handle the ball for us, which is incredibly valuable with Sharne Robati not being available," Hurst said.
The squad maintains a solid-core group of players from May's Trans-Tasman Throwdown, with guard Tayla Dalton returning, University of Hawai'i standout Ritorya Tamilo, and forward Charlotte Whittaker who has recently finished her French season with Toulouse.
"I'm excited about a few things with this group, including the mix of youth and experience we have. Especially getting access to some of the ladies either finishing college or on their breaks, so we're stoked to welcome them into the group. Obviously with the Trans-Tasman Throwdown we blooded a lot of new squad members, who we now see heading to their first Asia Cup."
The team is in a tough group alongside China, Indonesia and Korea.
"We target the first two games and then see what happens from there," Hurst said.
The Tall Ferns will get their FIBA Asia Cup campaign started against Korea on July 14th, before backing up against Indonesia the following day. The Tall Ferns final pool play match is against China on 16th July.
Hurst said success would be getting through to the next round.
McKenna Dale, guard/forward, Tauranga Whai & Mandurah Magic
Tayla Dalton, guard, Townsville Flames
Bailey Flavell, guard, Northern Kāhu & Launceston Tornadoes
Pahlyss Hokianga, guard, Tauranga Whai
Esra McGoldrick, guard/forward, Mainland Pouākai & Casey Cavaliers
Rebecca Pizzey, forward, Eltham Wildcats*
Emme Shearer, guard, Mackay Meteorettes
Ashlee Strawbridge, forward, Mainland Pouākai & West Adelaide Bearcats
Ritorya Tamilo, centre, University of Hawai'i
Ella Tofaeono, forward/centre, Melbourne Tigers
Charlotte Whittaker, forward, Toulouse Metropole Basket
Olivia Williams, guard, University of California - Irvine*
*denotes debutant
Reserves:
Ella Brow, guard, Baylor University
Maia Jones, guard, Santa Clara University
