Opals dominate New Zealand in Oceania Champs

The Australian Price Attack Opals have exerted their dominance over their Trans-Tasman rivals, soundly defeating the New Zealand Tall Ferns 77-51 in the opening match of the Oceania Championships in Palmerston North.

Australia’s veteran centre Jenny Whittle (196cm) imposed herself on the game right from the start, leading all scorers with 22 points. Most of them came as the Opals opened up a 27-point advantage early in the second quarter.

Opals coach Jan Stirling immediately signalled her intentions, fielding twin towers Whittle and Hollie Grima (190cm) in her starting five in the hope of exposing the Kiwis' lack of height.

This was a ploy McHugh had expected and he, in turn, injected McCormack to engage Whittle in an intriguing match-up that the old hand dominated.

The Ferns got off to a promising start with Loffhagen hitting a baseline jump shot to open the scoring. When forward Rebecca Cotton banked in a lay-up, the home team was up 4-1, but things turned sour soon after.

Stirling ordered a full court press that saw the Kiwis struggle to advance the ball past halfway, let alone set up any kind of offence. Australia scored nine straight points to kick-start a 21-2 run that effectively ended any hopes of the upset.

By the end of the first quarter, the Aussies were up 26-11 and well in control. Whittle and Grima had combined for 12 points (5/5 FG, 1/1 3pt), but just as importantly, Ferns point guard Angela Marino had barely got a glimpse of the basket.

Stirling got her full roster working hard, subbing five-on, five-off, to ensure everyone got a run. By the end of the game, none of the Aussies had played more than 22 minutes, no one had clocked less than 18 minutes.

"We got off to a good start, which was pleasing," noted Stirling.

"I more or less split our players into two equal teams.

"I wanted everyone to play tonight so when Games Two and Three tighten up, all our youngsters will have played. I don't think we had our best five out there at any stage."

The Australian defence continued to stifle the Kiwis and Whittle continued to roll, scoring the first eight points of the second quarter as the Opals scored 12 unanswered points to open a 38-11 advantage.

In the latter minutes of the half, the Kiwis finally found some space to operate, perhaps adjusting to the pressure they were under. Marino hit her first basket - a three-pointer - with 1m 24s on the clock and by halftime, the Ferns had closed to 22-46.

Whittle had 15 points (7/8 FG, 1/1 3pt) and the Ferns had shot just 32.3% FG.

The third quarter saw both sides start ice cold, but New Zealand actually began nibbling into the deficit as rookie Lisa Wallbutton warmed up her baseline jumper, stroking three in a row to cut it to 19 points.

When Loffhagen hit a three and scrambled the ball back off a steal in the final minute, the hole was only 18 points deep, but Katrina Hibbert also converted from long distance to stretch it back beyond 20 as the period ended. Still, the Kiwis had won a moral victory - a 14-11 edge for the quarter.

New Zealand were reduced to fouling in a bid to neutralise Whittle inside and the Opals were very quickly in the bonus. In the closing minutes, they shot 9/10 FT to seal a comfortable 26-point victory.

Marino emerged as the Ferns' top scorer with 15 points (5/14 FG, 3/6 3pt, 2/2 FT), while Loffhagen's 13 points/eight rebounds/three steals were testament to her refusal to take a backward step.

"We've got lots of things to work on," says McHugh. "We will handle that press much better ... they had the lights in their eyes and were anxious under the pressure."

Stirling also expects Game Two to be much closer.

"I think they'll improve," she said. "They'll challenge us in different ways ... we can't have that many turnovers and expect to win by 20 again and we need to make adjustments handling their physicality better."

The Aussies, silver medallists at the last two Olympics, came into this best-of-three series with history on their side. New Zealand have never defeated the Opals, and the closest they have ever come is a 14-point loss in Game One of the 2003 Oceania Championships.

This Australian team is not at full strength for this series, with the only Athens Olympian to make the trip being point guard Alicia Poto. However, a deep talent pool, thanks to a great development program, culminating with the Australian Institute of Sport, ensures there is always plenty of up-and-coming talent.

Australia’s most promising young player, Renae Camino (selected for this series), flew home to Wollongong on Wednesday after injuring her right knee in training on Tuesday night.

The next match will be played on Saturday afternoon in Napier at 3pm.

Opals top scorers:
Jenny Whittle 22, Katrina Hibbert 12, Emma Randall 11.

NZ top scorers:
Angela Marino 15, Donna Loffhagen 13.

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