Otago 69
Auckland 64
The Otago under-17 girls basketball team scored a major coup for Otago basketball when it beat Auckland 69-64 in the final at the Lion Foundation Arena in Dunedin today.
It was Otago's first national basketball win for eight years.
The star player in the Otago win was vice-captain Renee Johnson who scored 22 points.
It included five three-pointers and her efforts gave Otago the early advantage.
It was a triumph for vetran coach John Paul who has taken Otago women's teams to 16 national finals over the last 40 years and this was his ninth win.
The Otago under-17 women's squad was: Alice Brown, Zoe Cadzow, Gemma Cowie, Caroline Crowley (captain), Samara Gallaher, Renee Johnson (vice-captain), Kerron Mamanu, Hanna McKenzie, Katherine Ralph, Biddy Skerton, Danya Turnbull, Hannah Williams.
