Basketball: Sloppy start costs Vols dearly

Rotorua Lady Vols captain Aroha Haumaha is ruing a poor first period free throwing effort which eventually saw her team lose 56-53 to the Hutt Valley Porirua Flyers.

The side finish the three day women's basketball championship tournament held at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, with a two win, two loss record.

It could have been three wins but the side missed eight shots from the free throw line early in the first period, at one point trailing 11-2 five-and-a-half minutes into the 10-minute spell.

Rotorua managed to stem Hutt Valley's scoring spree, thanks to the work of senior players Haumaha, Gabby Adams, Ema Pene and Nadine Stone to end the spell 21-12.

Despite the huge margin, Haumaha said the side didn't panic and were confident to battle their way back.

"I'm really proud of the girls, we fought really hard ... we've got a lot of really young players and I think we'll learn a lot from this tournament. "

The second period began with Rotorua using a zone defence to slow down Hutt Valley. The turning point was 14 seconds from the end of the first half - when 13-year-old Pareunuora Pene nailed a three-pointer to put her side just four points adrift at the break.

Rotorua really picked up the pace in the second half with Stone and Ema Pene bringing the ball to the top of the key and looking to work off Adams, Elle Pene, Takiri Raerino and Tania-Rose Raharuhi. The home side took the lead for the first time four minutes into the second half. But they couldn't maintain their momentum, especially when Hutt coach Shawn Beck got his team to do a full court press.

"I think we lost our focus and we started to bunch up."

Beck said he asked the team to settle themselves down and try playing to their strengths.

Both sides went into the fourth period with the score tied up 37-37.

Rotorua coach Darrell Pene tried keeping his side in a zone defence and rotate players regularly but eventually the scoring dried up with Rotorua reluctant to drive to the basket.

Hutt took advantage of the situation and took a five point lead with five minutes left.

Rotorua's Makayla Daysh dominated under the ring on attack, opening space outside the key and giving Haumaha the impetus to shoot.

A three-pointer from Adams with two minutes remaining on the clock gave the home side the lead at 51-50. But with 15 seconds on the clock, Rotorua trailing 54-53, their final shot fell short and they were fouled while recovering the ball, giving the visitors two free throws which they nailed for the win.

Coach Pene said the side dug themselves a hole in the first half and struggled to get out of it for most of the match.