Pair given chance at national level

Kavanagh College basketball players Anita Samasoni (left) and Annabelle Ring after being named in...
Kavanagh College basketball players Anita Samasoni (left) and Annabelle Ring after being named in the New Zealand under-15 girls squad. Photo: Christine O'Connor
Annabelle Ring and Anita Samasoni are a pretty good duo for their school, and now they are a step closer to being the same for their country.

The Kavanagh College pair were both named in the New Zealand under-15 squad last month.

While that was still to be trimmed in October for the world championship qualifiers in Papua New Guinea, the pair were excited to have made it.

Indeed, for a school which fits into the ‘A’ category for small schools — under 600 secondary-level pupils for co-eds — it is an impressive feat.It will be the first time in the national set up for Samasoni (15), giving Ring (14) — who played for New Zealand last year — a friendly face in the squad.

Oscar Cameron
Oscar Cameron
"It’s fun, I’m happy because last year I was kind of lonely, but now Anita’s coming with me so I’ve got a friend," Ring said.

The duo trialled for the squad over a four-day camp in the April school holidays.

Competition for places had been high and both admitted they were not sure they would make it after seeing the level.

The duo would start up high performance sessions with their national coach — Dunedin’s Natalie Visger.

Samasoni did not quite know what to expect, although Ring was confident she would be fine.

"There’s lots of hard work [in a national team].

"But Anita trains well and she tries hard all the time so she’ll be good."

Ring is a Year 10 pupil and Samasoni  Year 11, which bodes well for their school team’s future, too.

Alongside the duo there were several other talented players at the school who play in both the school competition and women’s A grade club competition.

Ring and Samasoni both impressed in their first club outings of the season.

They managed 19 and 14 points respectively against a strong South Pac Magic side.In the school grade they had won three of their first four games and, being a young team, there was plenty of room to grow.

"It’s going all right, but we need more trainings," Samasoni said.

"With more trainings we’ll get better throughout the season."

If all that was not enough, the duo would be key in the Otago under-17 girls team.

After a dominant qualifying tournament two weekends ago, the team will travel to Wellington for the national championships where the duo were hoping to finish in the top five.

King’s High School’s Oscar Cameron has also made a national side.

The Year 9 pupil was named in the New Zealand under-14 boys team which will travel to Melbourne next week for a state tournament.

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