Lindsay Tait, who top scored in last night's match, nets New Zealand's first points. Photo / Dean Purcell
Australia 75
New Zealand 60
It took a rookie kid, described earlier by coach Nenad Vucinic as a "stab in the dark", to provide the foundations for the Tall Blacks' rebuilding project against the Boomers on the North Shore last night.
Before 19-year-old American-based guard Corey Webster took the court, "rebuilding project" seemed
an optimistic euphemism for the miracle of engineering required to piece back together the national basketball side.
Trailing by 21 and shooting just 20 percent from the field shortly into the second quarter, things could not have looked worse for the Tall Blacks.
Up from the pine rose Webster, snatching a rebound with his first touch in international basketball, nailing a long three pointer with his second and driving to the lane for another two points shortly after. Webster's demonstration of three facets of the game the Tall Blacks had predominantly been admiring in their opponents lifted his side. They took the second quarter 17-12 to trail by 12 at the break and earn some credibility.
Qualification for Beijing, however, looks a long way away. It was probably a pipe dream anyway given the numerous defections from the side over the last 12 months but, after last night's display, only an optimist would believe this side capable of footing it with heavyweights such as Germany and Greece in just three weeks' time.
There was, however, plenty to suggest a bright long-term future.
Craig Bradshaw continued his growth into the role of an international big man and point guard Lindsay Tait's influence grew throughout as he finished with a game-high 16 points and three assists.
Back-to-back threes from Paora Winitana and Pero Cameron cut the gap to seven in the third quarter but that was as close as it got, with the Boomers, led by 14 points from the diminutive Patrick Mills, maintaining a steady advantage to close out a comfortable victory.
