In The Huddle, July 20 2007

Friday July 20, 2007

Hi there

We're live ...

The Dominion Finance NZ Tall Blacks v Venezuela test series tips off tonight and you can catch it LIVE on SKY Sport 1, Radio Sport and via webcast on the Basketball New Zealand site.

See ya there

Chappy

Wilkins Signs!

The Christchurch Sirens have announced a coup signing with Tall Fern captain Donna Wilkins joining their Australian Women’s National Basketball League debut campaign, tipping off in October.

Originally from Woodend and playing age group basketball for North Canterbury, the 29-year-old Wilkins brings plenty of international experience, juggling basketball and netball commitments over the past 12 years.

“As a fledging franchise we are extremely pleased to secure the services of a player of Donna Wilkins’ level, especially given that she had offers from other sports and basketball franchises,” said Canterbury Basketball chief executive George Kazan.

Back In Black

It was touch and go whether Daryl Cartwright trialed for the Dominion Finance NZ Tall Blacks at all, but the gamble will pay off tomorrow when he suits up for the national team against Venezuela in Napier.

Cartwright last played for the Tall Blacks in 2003 against the Czech Republic and after four years in the wilderness, the rangy 2m forward had virtually given up on ever returning to international basketball.

“Realistically, it wasn’t in my plans,” he says. “It was a bit of a decision to come to camp at all.

“I now work fulltime [as a teacher], I have a young family and time management is more difficult than it used to be. My training is now only geared towards playing in the national league.

“Four years is a long time … I thought that was me.”

Shot Down

The NZ Tall Ferns wilted before a three-point blitz from Korea, winding up their William Jones Cup campaign with a 60-69 loss.

Forward Lisa Wallbutton led the Kiwis with 13 points (4/9 FG, 5/10 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.

New Zealand began the contest in unconvincing fashion and trailed by 17 points at halftime before rallying over the final 10 minutes. They enjoyed more than their share of possession, but the Koreans shot 10/22 (45%) from the arc to provide a winning edge.

International rookies Suzie Bates (11 points/seven rebounds) and Toni Edmondson (eight points, six rebounds, five assists & two blocks), both from Otago, also showed they were not out of place at his level.

Out With The Old

New Dominion Finance NZ Tall Black coach Nenad Vucinic is wary of a new-look Venezuelan line-up missing the veterans that have made them an international force over the past decade.

The roster for this week’s series does not include Venezuela’s three biggest names of recent years – guard Oscar Torres (30), forward Victor Diaz (39) and centre Richard Lugo (34) – and while Torres still seems to be in the mix for this year’s Olympic qualifying campaign, the others have become victims of a retooling exercise.

“It wasn’t a lightly taken decision,” said Venezuelan Basketball Federation president Carmel Cortez, when he announced the squad last week.

2007 Tall Black Media Kit (pdf 699KB)

Dickel Down, Not Out

Veteran point guard Mark Dickel will miss this week’s series against Venezuela, but is still determined to join the Dominion Finance NZ Tall Blacks in time for the Olympic qualifying series against Australia in August.

Dickel (30) underwent surgery on his back in February and has not healed sufficiently to join the national team as they prepare to face the South Americans in Napier on Friday.

Rehabilitating the injury at his Las Vegas home, he is desperate to claim a spot in the squad for the FIBA Oceania Championships, to be contested over three games in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane (August 20-24).

Welcome Aboard

Dominion Finance Holdings are continuing to back New Zealand basketball with sponsorship of the NZ Tall Blacks.

Fresh from their involvement with the successful 2007 Dominion Finance NBL, the investment institution, active in their market for more than half a century now, have stepped in behind the Tall Blacks’ bid to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.

The Dominion Finance NZ Tall Blacks are currently in camp preparing for their upcoming series against Venezuela from July 20-24 as part of their build-up towards the FIBA Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament against Australia next month.

Briefs

Prewster, JTBs Soar
Wellington guard Dion Prewster has guided the NZ Junior Tall Blacks to the quarterfinals of the Pioneer Summer Shootout in Nevada with a 96-45 win over Coronado.
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Baker's Two Dozen
Former Junior Tall Black Lance Baker led the Gold Coast Goannas to a 129-69 romp over Gladstone Power in the Queensland Australian Basketball League.
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Winning Ways
Canterbury’s James Holland led a balanced scoring effort and Waikato’s Hiwaroa Grant recorded a “double double” as the Junior Tall Blacks finished the Australian U18 Championships with their first win.
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Courses

BBNZ Cluster Camp 2 Coaching Clinic
Saturday, July 28
11.45am–12:45pm
North Shore Events Centre, North Harbour
Springvale Stadium, Wanganui
Stadium 2000, Blenheim
Stadium Southland, Invercargill
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Level One Referee Course
The Glasshouse, QE II Stadium
Christchurch
August 14 & 21, September 4, 11 & 18
Presenter – NBL referee Hayden Pipe
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