Two WA juniors completed a successful week at the 2013 FIBA Oceania Pacific Championships in New Zealand, capping off the week with medals.
Willetton Tigers junior and young West Coast Waves guard Mikayla Pirini and Cockburn Cougars product Rhys Vague were both part of the Australian teams competing at the tournament.
Pirini and the Women’s team went undefeated all week, with an average winning margin of 56 points.
The ladies came up against New Zealand Maori in the Gold Medal game on Wednesday 4 December and claimed a 74-54 victory to take the gold medal.
The Men’s team had a slightly tougher tournament, starting off with a 93-35 victory over Papua New Guinea. They then survived a close game against Guam 78-76 and continued to move through to the Semi-Finals in great form.
Vague and the Men then came up against Samoa in the Semi-Finals where they claimed an 85-79 victory. The undefeated Australian team then faced off against New Zealand Maori in the Gold Medal game, going down 71-66 to claim the silver medal.
Pirini and Vague both had solid tournaments, Pirini averaged 7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists playing an average of 20 minutes per game.
Vague put his best foot forward with averages of 10 points and 4.5 rebounds, averaging 21 minutes of court time and shooting 50% from the floor over the week.
Pirini will be back in action for the Alcohol. Think Again West Coast Waves when they take on the Dandenong Rangers at the WA Basketball Centre on Saturday 7 December.
Basketball WA congratulates both athletes on a successful week representing their state and country.