A week on from The New Zealand Basketball 3×3 Cup which was held in Invercargill, showcasing 126 of the best players from across the country, with over 170 games played over the 4 day event. This year the addition of 16 international games were played in a trans-tasman rivalry between the New Zealand Tall Blacks and Tall Ferns vs the Australian Gangurrus. 

The Taylor Hawks produced a strong showing finishing the tournament in 7th place, in the top half of the draw.

The real success lay in the emergence of local talents from Hawke’s Bay, namely Jackson Ball, Zoram Smiler, and Kobe Kara. Both Ball, Napier Boys High School, and Smiler, Hastings Boys High School, made their debut for the Taylor Hawks, whilst Kara was given the opportunity to lead the team.

“Watching the boys grow in confidence and begin to have that self belief, was the best part of the trip for me. Knowing the work that these three have put into their craft and the abilities they have, seeing them competing and representing not only themselves but their whanau and the region was something to be proud of. The way they carried themselves and competed in every moment is what it means to be a Hawk” says Jarrod Kenny.

Ball’s outstanding tournament was recognised in his selection for the All Star 4. From start to finish Ball was a standout for the Hawks. Finishing  in the top 10 players in total scoring, while making several game winning shots. It’s been a busy year for Ball, leading Napier Boys in their quest for a National Championship and representing New Zealand at the under 15 Asia Pacific Cup, where they finished 2nd to Australia.  

The All Star 4 was rounded out by Ethan Rusbatch, Rangimarie Dougall-Mita and the Most Valuable Player, from the 3×3 Cup Champions the Canterbury Rams, Kaia Isaac.