Sutherland’s Nicholson in AUSSIE GIRLS team which wins gold

Australia's young women's basketball team, containing Sutherland Sharks junior representative Lauren Nicholson overpowered Japan on Saturday afternoon at the Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Centre to claim the Gold Medal at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

Australia used its superior size and speed to outgun and outrun its Japanese opponent to lead 51-18 at half time before continuing on to a 37-point victory.

The 91-54 win maintained Australia's unbeaten tournament run with preliminary round wins against New Zealand, China and Japan by 50, 17 and 28 points.

Starting guard Rebecca Cole completed a first rate tournament with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists to lead Australia while crowd favourite Gretel Tippett had a fantastic all-around game to finish with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Naho Miyoshi and Aya Tsurumi paced Japan with 10 points apiece.

Reserve forwards Rebecca Allen and Allyson Brown were outstanding off the bench for Australia. Allen compiled 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting, a game high 15 rebounds and 3 steals in 19 minutes on court while Brown had 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting with 5 rebounds in 13 minutes on court.

PHOTOS: Lauren Nicholson (Sutherland) in action against Japan in the Grand Final - photos courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

Nicholson had a good tournament, finishing with personal statistics of 32 points and 9 boards, including 7 points and 2 boards in the grand final.

"It was a great win and something the girls deserved," Australia's head coach Nicole Ireland said.

"They've been so focused and disciplined for nearly two weeks now with the camp and then the tournament and today I think we played the best game of our tournament; just team work, inside-outside play and our defence.

"It got a bit scrappy at the end but for three quarters or even more of that game we really stuck with what we needed to do defensively.

"They really got up for the Gold Medal game."

Tippett got Australia's scoring underway close to the basket in the opening minute before Aoi Katsura tied the score with a deft spin move in the paint. Brown came off the bench and hit her first three shots, Japan struggled against Australia's zone and after one period Australia led 25-9.

Australia's back court combination Cole and Kerryn Harrington had the team running beautifully in the second quarter and when Tippett blocked a shot and Jillian Haughton finished down the other end of the floor with a finger roll in traffic the rout was on.

NSW Contingent: Back Row - Jackson Aldridge (Norths), Daniel Trist (Norths), Sam Rowley (Norths)
Front Row - Lauren Nicholson (Sutherland), Ashleigh Karaitiana (Sydney City), Allyson Brown (Hills District), Cassandra Mangos (Illawarra) – photo from www.photoexcellence.com.au

Australia led 51-18 at half time behind Cole's 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, Brown's 9 points off the bench and Tippett's 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks while Japan's pint sized offensive machine Aoi Katsuri had only 2 points on 1-of-5 shooting.

Japan scored the opening five points of the second half and looked ready to step up to the challenge at hand but Australia continued to push the ball and when a bone-jarring legal screen by Tippett cleaned up Asami Chiku in the back court the physical challenge was won.

Down by thirty-nine points with ten minutes to play, Japan continued to persevere until the inevitable end and won the last quarter by two points.

Starters:
AUS: Harrington, Cole, Karaitiana, Tippett, Payne
CHN: Katsura, Chiku, Tsurumi, Nagaoka, Chikahira

Quarter by quarter:
1: AUS 25 JPN 9; H: AUS 51 JPN 18 (26-9); 3: AUS 71 JPN 32 (20-14); F: AUS 91 JPN 54 (20-22)

AUSTRALIA 91 - Rebecca Cole 17, Gretel Tippett 16, Allyson Brown 14 defeated  JAPAN 54 - Naho Miyoshi 10, Aya Tsurumi 10, Mika Nozoe 8; Gold Medal Match Australian Youth Olympic Festival at Sydney Uni Sports Aquatic Centre

The Men’s team also won the gold medal match defeating China in the final. For reports of all games go to: http://theshire.sportslive.com.au/index.pl?page=827 

Vics secure second place over NSW in Claxton Shield

Victoria has qualified in second place after defeating NSW 2 games to one in round 6 last weekend in the interstate Claxton Shield.

NSW won the first game 2 - 1 but then Victoria came out all guns blazing to win games 2 and 3 by 13 - 7 and 12 - 2 respectively.

The result means that NSW finished third behind the Vics and top placed Perth Heat.

The semi-final between NSW and Victoria is now to be played in Melbourne in a best of three series between January 23 and 25. The winner will meet Perth in a best of three series from February 6 to 8 for the Claxton Shield title.

Cricket NSW - South Eastern Cricket Volunteer of the Year is…

Tom Croucher – Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket Association Competition Manager won the title of Volunteer of the Year for the region, at a glittering all-star black tie function held at the T20 Big Bash recently..

Tom beat a talented field of volunteers to take out the local title, but unfortunately was unsuccessful in taking out the title of NSW winner. Tom now becomes one of Cricket NSW guests at the Steve Waugh Medal – Cricket NSW’ Night of Nights to be held at the Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom on Friday 3rd April.

Rob Waugh from the Engadine District (Bosco) in2CRICKET Centre was also recognized by the in2CRICKET Manager Renee Millen and also attended the event on Monday night. Two representatives from the SSJCA is a great effort.

More about local junior cricket can be found at http://www.ssjca.com.au/

SportsLive observes Kerry O’Keeffe’s “gift” to disabled cricket fans

At the recent Sydney cricket test between South Africa and Australia, your SportsLive editor witnessed an exceptional act by former Australian test player and now ABC commentator Kerry O’Keeffe. It was not his funny laugh or sometimes insightful cricket comments but the way he interacted with wheelchair bound fans at the SCG.

He visited the M A Noble stand disabled section to see a former neighbour and school friend (now in a wheelchair) whom he practised cricket with as a young teenager – Terry is mentioned in his first book. He then spent quite a while (yes, well into his lunch break) talking to other young wheelchair fans who were thrilled with the experience. Many photos were taken as well including with some young attractive ladies who joined the group. (SportsLive wonders if the Skull is to become the new sex symbol for the ABC??)

Kerry then mentioned the names of some of the young disabled fans when he was next on the ABC – to their delight. All in all he was a real hit because of the time he spent, his openness and there was no fee involved!

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