AUCKLAND (FIBA Oceania Championship) - Australia are one of the powerhouses of women's basketball.
The Opals, after their bronze-medal triumph at the London Games, are second in the FIBA Ranking Women.
The Aussies are not the only team in the Oceania zone with quality players, though, and both Natalie Taylor and Jordan Hunter have reminded everyone of that with their recent performances.
Playing for the Logan Thunder in the Women's National Basketball League in Australia, Taylor has averaged 14.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists this season.
A Beijing Olympian, the forward has been one of the most consistent performers in the WNBL.
In her team's thrilling one-point triumph over Sydney at the weekend, Taylor poured in 18 points, corralled seven boards and handed out six assists.
She was also terrific on defense, swatting three shots.
Taylor led New Zealand in scoring at 13 points per game this summer at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women.
While she turns 30 on Christmas Eve, Hunter is only 22.
The point guard made headlines in a one-point triumph over Arkansas State and in her latest outing, she hit a game-winner to down Texas Pan American.
With her side trailing by a point and just six seconds to go, Hunter drove into the lane and scored for a 55-54 win.
“We executed the same play that we did on Monday night (against Arkansas State), with Jordan driving to the basket,” said coach Ty Margenthaler.
“She did a great job getting to the basket and made a big shot again.”
Hunter walked off the court with 10 points, five boards and three steals.
The Tall Ferns will be looking to make a mark at the FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey.
They will square off against Australia next summer in the FIBA Oceania Championship for Women.
FIBA
