Day 3 Recap | 2014 U16 Australian Junior Championships
After Day 3 there are only 3 undefeated teams remaining in the men's division while the women's division looks to have come down to a 2-horse race. In the men's, NSW Metro and VIC Metro are in fine form while New Zealand has very sneakily remained undefeated. The women's action has seen VIC Metro dominate, with SA Metro also posting 2 impressive wins during Day 3's action.
Men
NSW Metro and VIC Metro are both a convincing 4-0
NSW Metro and VIC Metro have emerged as the clear favourites in the men's division of the tournament - both teams remaining undefeated after Day 3's action. NSW Metro picked up a 79-49 win over SA Country, outscoring them 48-18 in the 2nd half - Aaron Waban (17 pts & 8 rbs) and Dragan Elkaz (16 pts & 4 rbs) leading the way for NSW Metro once again. VIC Metro also picked up a very impressive win, defeating Tasmania 80-41 behind Aidan O'Carroll's 24 pts & 2 rbs.
Credit: Basketball Australia/Kangaroo Photo's
NZ flying under the radar, remain undefeated
New Zealand has seemingly come out of nowhere and are now 3-0 after their 86-47 victory over Northern Territory. NZ was keyed by Callum McRae - who posted 21 pts & 13 rbs off the bench - and Unique Naboa also provided his usual contribution with 15 pts & 6 rbs. They will be challenged on Day 4 when they face a strong NSW Country side.
QLD North finally get on the board behind Sam Froling's strong effort
Sam Froling put up an impressive 19 pts & 14 rbs as Queensland North defeated ACT 55-53 to pick up their first win of the tournament. QLD North held their opponent to just 27% FG in a very impressive defensive effort, also holding ACT to just 22% from beyond the arc. William Cooper had 18 pts & 13 rbs for ACT in a losing effort.
Sam Froling | Credit: Basketball Australia/Kangaroo Photo's
Results
QLD North | 46-68 | WA Country
Tasmania | 69-81 | ACT
NSW Metro | 79-49 | SA Country
VIC Metro | 80-41 | Tasmania
ACT | 53-55 | QLD North
SA Metro | 78-57 | QLD South
Northern Territory | 47-86 | New Zealand
NSW Country | 46-49 | VIC Country
QLD South | 65-56 | WA Metro
Women
VIC Metro looks unbeatable after Day 3
As usual, VIC Metro have an extremely well-rounded team entered in this tournament. They showed their versatility as they seemingly cruised through Day 3's doubleheader. Their 1st game was a 84-41 blowout win over Queensland North, team captain Kiera Rowe with a game-high 14 pts. The second game of VIC Metro's doubleheader was a 59-46 victory over NSW Country - Najvada George with a very impressive 20 pts & 5 rbs. The play of Ezi Magbegor has also been outstanding this tournament - averaging 9.3 ppg, 12 rpg and an amazing 7.3 bpg over 4 games.
Ezi Magbegor - Credit: Basketball Australia/Kangaroo Photo's
SA Metro emerging as potential front-runner
SA Metro is right up their with VIC Metro as the tournament favourite in the women's division. They faced Northern Territory in the 1st game of their doubleheader, Zoe Walker-Roberts (17 pts & 8 rbs) providing great minutes off the bench to lead SA Metro to a convincing 82-63 victory. SA Metro then proved themselves to be one of the top-dogs in this tournament with a 66-53 win over VIC Country, Sophie Horvat leading the way with 12 pts & 11 rbs.
Cassady Anderson leads WA Country to much needed victory
WA Country entered Day 3's action without a win and in desperate search of a lift. Cassady Anderson provided that lift with a 17 pt, 12 rb effort in a 71-65 win over Tasmania. Georgia Denehey also had a terrific game, scoring a game-high 19 pts - including 3-6 form beyond the arc.
Results
QLD North | 41-84 | VIC Metro
ACT | 55-52 | SA Country
New Zealand | 59-55 | WA Metro
VIC Metro | 59-46 | NSW Country
Northern Territory | 63-82 | SA Metro
Tasmania | 65-71| WA Country
NSW Metro | 58-52 | QLD South
SA Metro | 66-53 | VIC Country