The Emerging Junior Tall Blacks are two-from-two at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Istanbul, Turkiye.
With Oscar Goodman and Troy Plumtree leading the way, New Zealand have defeated the hosts 114-94 and Argentina 89-81, guaranteeing them the top spot in Group C with one game remaining.
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Against Turkiye, New Zealand led by as many as 43 points in the third period before cooling off in the fourth quarter. However, they will take a lot of confidence from the result, with six players scoring in double-figures.
Goodman, the MVP at the 2023 Under-16 Asian Championship, led the way for New Zealand with 26 points (10/15 FG, 3/7 3pt), five rebounds, seven assists and three steals, while Plumtree racked up a double-double of 20 points (4/9 FG, 2/5 3pt, 10/10 FT) and 14 rebounds.
Hayden Jones scored 15, Hunter Te Ratana 14, Lachlan Crate 13 and Ihaka Cate 11 points as the Emerging JTBs shot 53 percent (34-of-64) from the field and 42 percent (14-of-33) from beyond the arc.
The team created history in their second game, with New Zealand having gone 0-4 against Argentina at FIBA age-group events and 0-10 against teams from the Americas. However, they broke the duck with a disciplined, skilled performance down the stretch.
Leyton Haddleston's team trailed by five entering the fourth quarter and were still down 77-72 with 2:58 to play. But they outscored Argentina 17-4 in the closing minutes, part of a 33-20 final period.
Plumtree led the way with his second double-double of the tournament, finishing with 22 points (10/13 FG) and 11 rebounds, while Goodman put 19 points (7/12 FG) and five boards, and Jones 15 points (5/11 FG, 5/6 FT) eight boards and three blocks.
New Zealand shot 54 percent (36-of-67) from the field but a less convincing 27 percent (4-of-15) from three. After committing 24 turnovers against Turkiye the previous day, the Kiwis reduced that to 14 against Argentina.
The Emerging Junior Tall Blacks face winless Italy in their last group game on Tuesday (5am Wednesday NZT), with the Round of 16, where New Zealand will face Germany or Egypt from Group D, the following day.
EMERGING JUNIOR TALL BLACKS RESULTS
FIBA Under-17 World Cup, Group C
New Zealand 114 (Oscar Goodman 26, Troy Plumtree 20, Hayden Jones 15, Hunter Teretana 14, Lachlan Crate 13, Ihaka Cate 11) Turkey 94 (Kaan Onat 17, Atahan Akbas 12, Mert Kocagozoglu 11, Mete Pacaci 11, Anil Alyanak 11). 1Q: 38-21, HT: 66-37, 3Q: 96-56
New Zealand 89 (Troy Plumtree 22, Oscar Goodman 19, Hayden Jones 15) Argentina 81 (Tyler Kropp 25, Felipe Minzer 24). 1Q: 24-26, HT: 36-43, 3Q: 56-61
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