2019 U18 & KCC AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS | RECAP

Written by Jaylee Ismay
8 May, 2019

NSW Country U18 Men 75 – 102 QLD South U18 Men

Round 1: 8:00 PM Saturday April 13th, 2019

Queensland’s defense unfortunately wreaked havoc in this game, they held a 10-2 block advantage and led in steals 15-5. Queensland’s Blake Jones was the catalyst, forcing six steals, five blocks, while also racking up a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds. The opposition played a much more efficient game, six players reached double figures while shooting 64% from the field. For NSW Harry Morris fought back with a double-double of his own, racking up 15 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Kaia Isaac was the first state’s leading scorer, calculating 20 points, four rebounds and two assists in the loss.

NSW Country U18 Men 96-61 Northern Territory U18 Men
Round 2: 1:00 PM Sunday April 14th, 2019

New South Wales Country reversed their fortunes, finding themselves on the opposite side of a big win in round two. They dominated statistical categories such as a 27-15 assist advantage, a 55-35 rebound differential, and shot 47% on 17 three-point attempts. Five NSW Country players achieved double figures in this high scoring affair. Zak Simons recorded a double-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds and a steal. Jay Cole also registered a double-double with an even 13 points and 13 rebounds to go along with six assists and two steals. Fletcher Macdonald scored 10 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

NSW Country U18 Men 84-85 VIC Country U18 Men

Round 3: 9:00 AM Monday April 15th, 2019

New South Wales were unlucky in this match by committing 27 turnovers. Despite this, they clawed back during the final minutes of regulation to force overtime, but ultimately fell to the VIC Country in the extra period. Zak Simons had 13 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, one steal and a block, and combined with Evan Kilminster’s 15 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds to accumulate 12 of NSW’s final 14 points in the fourth quarter to erase Victoria’s lead. Harry Morris also recorded a double-double with 22 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks and two assists.

NSW Country U18 Men 79 – 64 WA Metro U18 Men

Round 4: 7:00 PM Tuesday April 16th, 2019

Our NSW Country team bounced back in a big way with a 15 point victory against Western Australia. Zak Simons was instrumental for the NSW Country attack, leading his team with a point total of 20 points while also gathering 9 rebounds. Jamal Shoaib also had a strong showing with 16 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals.

NSW Country U18 Men 46 – 66 SA Metro U18 Men

Round 5: 6:00 PM Wednesday April 17th, 2019

Keanu Rasmussen (15 points) and Sebastian Griffin (22 points) ultimately caused NSW’s downfall, as they couldn’t seem to find an answer to SA’s primary scorers. Only one player for New South Wales Country scored over ten points, with Jamal Shoaib leading the way with 13 points, three rebounds and three steals. The offence on both sides struggled to get going during this contest, which could be attributed to 43 turnovers by both teams throughout the game. This loss cemented the NSW Country Men at third on the ladder, to face Victoria Metro in the Quarter Final.

NSW Country U18 Men 60 – 81 Vic Metro U18 Men

Quarter Final: 1:00 PM Thursday April 18th, 2019

New South Wales had a disappointing first round exit with a 21-point loss to Victoria’s Metro squad. Victoria took 28 free throws, double the amount of NSW, and converted 17 points from them. The Vic’s outrebounded NSW 49-39, and held the advantage in both steals and blocks, 12-7 and 5-2 respectively. Zak Simons continued a strong tournament with another double-double, registering 15 points, 10 rebounds and three steals.

NSW Country U18 Men 53 – 69 Qld South U18 Men

5-8 Classification: 1:00 PM Friday April 19th, 2019

New South Wales Country fell to Queensland with a 16-point loss. The Country team struggled to convert shots, shooting 30% on field goals. Jamal Shoaib led all scorers this match with 22 points while adding three steals, and Harry Morris had with 11 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

NSW Country U18 Men 83 – 86 Qld North U18 Men

7-8 Playoff: 9:00 AM Saturday April 20th, 2019

NSW plagued themselves once again with turnovers, committing 31 compared to Queensland’s 16. On the bright side, four players registered double figures, led by Zak Simons who added another double-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds and five steals. Fletcher MacDonald was NSW’s second leading scorer with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. NSW finished in eighth place amongst U18 Men’s teams.

NSW Metro U18 Men 79 – 63 QLD North U18 Men

Round 1: 6:00 PM Saturday April 13th, 2019

New South Wales cruised past Queensland North for their first win of the tournament, 79-63. They lead major statistical categories like assists and rebounds each by a margin of eight, 19-11 and 54-46 respectively. NSW Metro also got to the line and made the most of their trips, shooting 22/32 on free throw attempts. Robert Moore led the team in scoring with 17 points, but also added 4 rebounds, an assist and a steal. Ryan Abott registered a double-double in this game with 12 points, 14 rebounds, and also added a duo of two steals and two assists. Clancy Bird was vital on defense, creating three blocks and three steals, while also pouring in 15 of his own points to go along with 7 rebounds.

NSW Metro U18 Men 79-59 SA Country U18 Men

Round 2: 3:00 PM Sunday April 14th, 2019

The Metro team outperformed the SA Country. Firstly, New South Wales won by 20. Next, they doubled SA’s offensive rebounds 15-7 and outrebounded them totally 49-34. NSW doubled their assists 16-8, and blocks 6-3. Four players reached double figures for New South Wales, with Biwali Bayles leading the bunch; the guard scored 17 points, accompanied by seven rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks.

NSW Metro U18 Men 85-49 WA Country U18 Men

Round 3: 11:00 AM Monday April 15th, 2019

Every New South Wales player scored in this 36 point win against Western Australia. Our Metro team once again hounded the boards with a 24-7 offensive rebounding advantage and a 62-30 total rebounds advantage. Only two New South Wales players reached double figures in an extremely balanced attack: Robert Moore had 16 points, accompanied by three assists, two rebounds and a steal, while Jack McWilliams flirted with a double-double, grabbing 13 points and nine rebounds. Five more players had eight or more points, highlighted by Benjamin Moult’s eight points, eight rebounds, three steals, two assists and a block. Michael Yoong also had nine points, three steals, two assists and two rebounds.

NSW Metro U18 Men 62 – 76 Tasmania U18 Men

Round 4: 9:00 AM Tuesday April 16th, 2019

NSW Metro U18 Men 51 – 82 VIC Metro U18 Men

Round 5: 3:00 PM Wednesday April 17th, 2019

After starting out 3-0, New South Wales stumbled and dropped two straight games to fall to third on the Pool A ladder preceding the playoff rounds.

Tasmania relied on the three-pointer, going 8/27 from beyond the arch. Rayne Smith was especially deadly, shooting 50% on eight three-point attempts and accumulating 33 points. Biwali Bayles led NSW scorers with 19 points, and also earned nine rebounds, six assists, and three steals.

In the fifth round, Victoria Metro’s shots fell and New South Wales Metro’s didn’t. The Vic’s shot 64% from the field compared to NSW’s 30%. Every New South Wales player scored in this contest, however over half of their roster was limited to 4 points or fewer with less-than-ideal shooting percentages all around. Joshua Pain was New South Wales’ leading scorer, recording 11 points and two rebounds in the loss. These two defeats drop New South Wales to third on the ladder, leading them towards a winnable first round matchup with 2-3 Queensland in the quarterfinal.

NSW Metro U18 Men 91 – 88 QLD South U18 Men

Quarterfinal: 3:00 PM Thursday April 18th, 2019

New South Wales Metro were victorious in a three point win against Queensland South in a battle of the titans. Mojave King of Queensland supplied 36 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, not to be outdone by NSW’s Biwali Bayles’ 38 points, eight rebounds and four steals. The Metro team continued onto the next round of the playoffs.

NSW Metro U18 Men 70 – 83 VIC Metro U18 Men

Semifinal: 3:00 PM Friday April 19th, 2019

No Men’s NSW side beat this Victoria Metro team throughout the tournament, as they knocked both New South Wales teams out of the playoffs. Josh Giddey was Victoria’s top scorer in both finals games against New South Wales, averaging 22 points in the contests. Biwali Bayles provided a statline of 28 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals, but also had nine turnovers. This semifinal loss slots NSW to play for the bronze medal in the third-place game.

NSW Metro U18 Men 82 – 79 Tasmania U18 Men

Bronze Medal Game: 1:00 PM Saturday April 20th, 2019

A variety of NSW players contributed to take home the bronze medal in a team effort. Four players reached double figures in Biwali Bayles (19), Clancy Bird (13), Bejamin Moult (11), and Robert Moore (10). Ryan Abott and Joshua Pain both contributed important 9 point stat-lines, with Abott contributing 10 rebounds and Pain leading his team in steals. Tasmania’s Reyne Smith exploded against NSW again for 43 points, however was much less efficient in this contest; the scorer was held by NSW’s defense to 41% from two and 36% from three. The Metro team returns to Sydney proud after finishing top-three amongst the best competition Australia has to offer.

NSW Metro U18 Women 96 – 60 SA Country U18 Women

Round 1: 12:00 PM Saturday April 13th, 2019

New South Wales was precise in the first round, shooting 48% from the field, 38% from three, and 86% from the line. In contrast it was an inefficient day overall for South Australia; they shot 39% from the field, 21% from three, and left 16 points on the board by making 11 of their 27 free throw attempts. SA Country’s top point scorer was Portia Size, who took 24 shots to score 17 points. NSW dominated statistical categories, they trumped SA Country 61- 36 in rebounds, and shared the ball effectively as well, tallying 28 assists compared to SA’s 11. New South Wales’ player of the game was Elles Van Der Maas, who had a 25 point double-double with 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Millie Prior also had a double-double, contributing 13 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

Queensland North  U18 Women 91 – 72 NSW Metro U18 Women

Round 2: 7:00 PM Sunday April 14th, 2019

Shaniece Swain led the surge for Queensland North, accumulating a monstrous stateline of 38 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Queensland North made more free throws than NSW attempted, converting 20 of their 26 attempts, compared to Metro’s 13/19. Catriona Henderson and Alana Goodchild fought the good fight and led NSW Metro in scoring; Henderson had 22 points, six steals, five assists and five rebounds, while Goodchild scored 17 points and had five rebounds.

NSW Metro U18 Women 79 – 46 Australian Capital Territory U18 Women

Round 3: 3:00 PM Monday April 15th, 2019

Every NSW girl scored in this rout of the Australian Capital Territory. Metro’s defense wreaked havoc, they recorded 16 steals and forced 31 Capital Territory turnovers. Three players created three steals each in Elles Van Der Maas, Millie Prior, Zoey Miller, while Catriona Henderson had four. New South Wales’ top scorer was the aforementioned Millie Prior, who had a 15 point double-double complemented by 10 rebounds three steals and one block.

NSW Metro U18 Women 56 – VIC Metro U18 Women 75

Round 4: 11:00 AM Tuesday April 16th, 2019

New South Wales can point this loss to an abundance of personal fouls committed. They fouled Victoria Metro 25 times, sending them to the line for 37 free throw attempts which they gained 28 points from. Additionally NSW had a lid on top of the basket, as they made fourteen field goals on 44 attempts and six threes on 24 shots, shooting 31.8% from two and 25% from three. Victoria’s Casey Valenti-Paea was the game’s top scorer with stats such as 17 points, 8 rebounds, two steals and a block. NSW’s Catriona Henderson and Isabelle Morgan both double-doubled: Henderson had 15 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two assists, while Morgan totaled 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, plus a steal and a block.

NSW Metro U18 Women 66 – 36 WA Metro U18 Women

Round 5: 6:00 PM Wednesday April 17th, 2019

New South Wales made light work of their final foe before the playoff rounds, handing Western Australia a 30-point loss in the process. Their staunch defensive effort held WA Metro to shoot 22% from the field and 18% from three, as well as causing 15 steals. Elles Van Der Maas was the game’s leading scorer with 14 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Millie Prior and Isabelle Morgan also reached double figures and scored 10 points each. This win slotted NSW Metro at 3-2 in Pool A, set to play SA Metro in the quarterfinal round.

NSW Metro U18 Women 66 – 46 SA Metro U18 Women

Quarterfinals: 1:00 PM Thursday April 18th, 2019

New South Wales beat South Australia in a 20 point victory to open up the playoffs. Holly Wills led NSW in assists with six while also registering eight points and two rebounds. Isabelle Morgan led all match scorers with 18 points, while also adding six rebounds and four steals. Catriona Henderson led all rebounders with 12 boards, while also adding nine points and three assists. NSW moves onto the semi-final round.

NSW Metro U18 Women 55 – 67 VIC Metro U18 Women

Semifinal: 1:00 PM Friday April 19th, 2019

The Victoria Metro U18 Men and Women eliminated each NSW team from the playoffs, this game was no exception. After defeating the Country side in the quarterfinals, Victoria went on to hand the metro side a 12 point loss in the semifinal. Alana Goodchild led NSW scorers with 16 points as they bowed out of competition for the gold medal.

NSW Metro U18 Women 67 – 68 VIC Country U18 Women

Bronze Medal Game: 11:00 AM Saturday April 20th, 2019

Victoria Country stole a one-point victory over New South Wales to claim the hardware. Five NSW players reached double figures, led by Elles Van Der Maas who capped off a strong tournament to lead NSW in scoring with 18 points. Millie Prior recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Catriona Henderson added an impressive statline of 11 points, 9 rebounds, six steals and five assists. Although it wasn’t ultimately the result they were looking for, the Metro side played a strong tournament and finished in the top half of U18 teams across the Country.

NSW Country U18 Women 55 – 56 VIC Country U18 Women

Round 1: 7:00 PM Saturday April 13th, 2019

These two squads played a thriller, neither had more than a five point lead throughout the second half. Ella Dent, who had 10 points and eight rebounds, sunk a vital three-pointer to put New South Wales up two with less than four minutes to go. Jade Melbourne and Piper Dunlop of the opposition replied by combining for Vic Country’s final six points. NSW Country’s leading scorer was Chyra Evans, who had 12 points, five rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal plus a block in the loss.

NSW Country U18 Women 74 – 56 WA Country U18 Women

Round 2: 5:00 PM Sunday April 14th, 2019

New South Wales hounded the glass, they collected a whopping 30 offensive rebounds to go along with a 63-43 rebounding advantage. As a result of their efforts and second chance scoring, they were able to take 90 total shots in the game, which they converted 33% of. Ruby-Belle MacDonald led NSW in rebounds with 10, six of them offensive to go along with seven points and three steals. Kate Kingham was the game’s leading scorer, she recorded 18 points, three rebounds and one assist.

NSW Country U18 Women 63 – 52 Tasmania U18 Women

Round 3: 7:00 PM Monday April 15th, 2019

Tasmania launched an unorthodox offensive attack that seemed emblematic of each team they had in the tournament: Tassie took double the amount of three-pointers than two-pointers in this game, going 11 for 35 from behind the arch. This perimeter centric attack lead to less offensive rebounds and free throw attempts for the southern island. Sara Matthews was New South Wales leading scorer, as she totaled 21 points, six rebounds and a steal.

NSW Country U18 Women 60 – 70 SA Metro U18 Women

Round 4: 1:00 PM Tuesday April 16th, 2019

Statistically speaking, this game was almost dead even. Both teams had 14 assists, both had steal numbers in the teens, however SA Metro outrebounded NSW by a margin of 45-35. South Australia distinguished themselves in taking and making more shots, part of that was limiting New South Wales’ attempts by causing six blocks. Three players for each team reached double figures, with Kelsey Rees leading the city team with 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Ruby-Belle MacDonald had her best game of the tournament: she scored 15 points, and collected eight rebounds and two steals.

NSW Country U18 Women 36 – 62 QLD South U18 Women

Round 5: 3:00 PM Wednesday April 17th, 2019

The offense simply struggled to get going during this contest for the Country Women. Queensland forced NSW to commit 25 turnovers, and the defense didn’t allow any easy shots either, holding New South Wales to a 20% field goal percentage. Georgia Wooley of Queensland didn’t make it any easier on NSW, she added a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. With this loss, the NSW Country Women fell to fourth on the ladder and had a quarterfinal appointment with VIC Metro U18 Women.

NSW Country U18 Women 60 – 65 Vic Metro U18 Women

Quarterfinal: 3:00 PM Thursday April 18th, 2019

Like their Country counterpart, this NSW side also fell in the quarterfinal. Three NSW scorers reached double-digits in Sarah Matthews (17), Chyra Evans (16) and Amelia Raidaveta (10). The country team committed 25 personal fouls, ten more than Victoria, and ultimately lost the game because of it. Victoria took and made 10 more free throws in the game, proving to be the deciding points of the match.

NSW Country U18 Women 77 – 57 WA Metro U18 Women

7-8 Playoff: 9:00 AM Saturday April 20th, 2019

The country women completed the tournament strong with a resounding 20 point victory over Western Australia. They shot an extremely efficient percentage, making 55% of their two-pointers and 48% of their three-pointers. Kate Kingham, Ella Dent, and Ruby-Belle MacDonald led the team in scoring with 24, 13, and 12 points respectively.