Good things come in 3!

Over the last couple of days City Rise & Ajax Basketball Clubs had a handful of superstars representing NZNBL teams at the Schick 3x3 Cup held in Invercargill.

City Rise had Otago Nuggets Robbie Coman, pick and popping more than a teenage boy in the mirror before school, and Matty Bardsley, bouncing around more than Bugs Bunny after a few carrots, repping the blue and gold as they tore their way through early wins and unfortunately losing a do-or-die game to advance to the final stages. City Rise also had Southland Shark and hometown hero Tom Cowie who was playing defence like he was promised a happy meal and toy after the game if he put on the clamps. Cowie and the Southland Sharks went unbeaten as they lifted the Schick Cup for 2022 & Cowie was un-officially officially named MVP of the tournament, some rather dodgy sources say.

The Otago Gold Rush had standout player Olivia O’Neill, was breaking ankles like she was working for ACC on commission, and Dunedin MVP Hannah Beede, had enough dimes for the vending machine and buckets to keep the Edgar Centre roof leaks safe, representing down south. The Gold Rush made it to the quarter-finals on the back of some great wins inspired by their strong team chemistry as well as individual displays over the 3 days.

The Southern Hoiho had their captain and Ajax legend Sammy G leading from the front down in Invercargill. Gallaher did the dirty work all around in play, scoring when needed, setting screens harder than Richie McCaw hits a ruck and finding teammates with the ball like it was a game of hide-and-seek. The Hoiho battled through to the quarter-finals in a nailbiter where they came up short but showed they could beat anyone on their day.

Congrats to everyone above representing City Rise and Ajax on the national stage!

There will be a few headaches this morning.

Photo Cred - Angela Ruske