Kensington to lead Thunder
Saturday, Nov 28 2020
Will Johnston
Jenna Kensington (pictured) will captain the Platinum Homes Taranaki Thunder in its D-League basketball competition next weekend.
She was one of 12 players selected in the squad, which will play in basketball’s newest competition, which aims to develop female players.
Also selected in the squad is experienced players Vanessa Weir (vice-captain) and Jenna’s sister Zoe. All three will be juggling jobs and babies while Raquel Sampson and Caitlin O’Connell will fit the tournament around NCEA exams.
The competition will feature four teams in a three-day schedule at the Bruce Pulman Arena in Auckland alongside the final three days of the Sal’s NBL 18in18 competition currently being played.
Taranaki plays Tauranga City Coasters, Rotorua Lady Geysers and Northland Phoenix. A move to an eight-team extended league is expected in 2021.
Taranaki general manager Rebecca Langton said she was looking forward to seeing her team in action.
“The opportunity to play in the D-League competition alongside our NBL women couldn’t have come at a better time for Platinum Homes Taranaki Thunder.”
She wants the team to build on the successful Schick 3x3 Cup, where the team finished fifth well above its initial 10th seeding.
“So, the natural next step is to continue building on that result and to field a team in the D-League tournament.”
Langton said the tournament format is ideal for the players.
NBL general manager Justin Nelson is pleased to final see the new competition get off the ground.
“The D-League was originally planned for mid-year with eight teams competing, but of course it’s been stop-go throughout 2020 and we’ve all had to wait patiently to get to where we are today.”
He said the competition is a stepping-stone to the Sal’s NBL which is another vital piece in the player pathway for elite women.
“To have 40-plus women on the court in early December playing under the NBL banner is incredibly important to what we are trying to build for the players,” he said.
Taranaki Thunder: Jenna Kensington ©, Vanessa Weir (vc), Georgia Keech, Raquel Sampson, Caitlin O’Connell, Alix Blyde, Nikki Mathys, Gemma Walsh, Lauren Tewhata, Tegan Omelvena-Ngatai, Opal Hardy-Pearce. Coach: Josh Reeves.
Sal’s NBL D-League
Friday December 4
3:00pm Tauranga City Coasters vs Rotorua Lady Geysers
5:00pm Northland Phoenix vs Taranaki Thunder
Saturday December 5
8am Taranaki Thunder vs Tauranga City Coasters
10am Rotorua Lady Geysers vs Northland Phoenix
3pm Northland Phoenix vs Tauranga City Coasters
5pm Taranaki Thunder vs Rotorua Lady Geyser
Sunday December 6
2:30pm Grand Final
All games broadcast live on Sky Sport.