The Australia U15 Sapphires delivering a commanding performance to defeat New Zealand 93 - 44 in the FIBA U15 Oceania Cup final clinching their third consecutive title.
The championship clash saw Australia assert their authority on the court, despite a somewhat tentative start. New Zealand kept within striking distance early on, but costly turnovers gave Australia an 11-point advantage by the end of the first quarter. From there, Australia’s relentless defence stifled New Zealand, holding them to just 22 points at halftime while building a commanding 43-22 lead.
Australia’s seamless ball movement and high-energy defence created a wave of scoring opportunities. A third-quarter surge left no doubt about the outcome as they outclassed New Zealand on both ends of the floor. Shooting efficiency told the story — New Zealand’s accuracy fell below 30%, while Australia dominated inside the paint and found wide-open looks from beyond the arc.
“It felt amazing. I love playing with these girls—it’s really special,” said Maddison Ryan, who grabbed a phenomenal 14 rebounds and added 15 points on an efficient 6 - 9 shooting.
The Australians displayed remarkable depth, with standout performances across the board. Vanessa Tavete and Isabel Smith each scored 16 points, while Ryan’s all-around brilliance provided an additional spark. Defensively, the team excelled, tallying 15 steals and 11 blocks, led by Lily Mapp’s four steals and 14 rebounds, which created a host of second-chance opportunities. Australia’s dominance on the glass was especially pronounced, out-rebounding New Zealand by an astounding 31 boards.
“We came out so strong—we just showed who deserves the gold from the start,” said tournament MVP Olivia Olechnowicz, reflecting on the team’s impressive performance.
Australia’s campaign was defined by overwhelming victories. They opened with a 96-point rout of Guam, followed by a 60-point demolition of Samoa. Their toughest test came in the group stage against New Zealand, where a brilliant 27-point effort from Isabel Smith (on 10/13 shooting) secured a narrow three-point victory. They returned to their dominant form in the semi-final, cruising past Tonga with a staggering 99-point win.
Olechnowicz, who epitomised Australia’s dominance, averaged 13.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and five steals per game on an efficient 48.2% shooting. Smith was equally impressive, averaging 14.4 points per game on 60.4% shooting, proving instrumental in tight moments.
“Wearing the green and gold is just incredible—there’s no better feeling in the world,” added Olechnowicz, encapsulating the pride and unity of the team.
With their incredible depth, teamwork, and relentless defence, the Australian U15 girls leave no doubt about their supremacy in the Oceania region, setting a gold standard for future tournaments.
