Gonzaga forward Lauren Whittaker was the main bright spot in a tough Tall Ferns tour to Japan earlier this month.
The Tall Ferns Select developmental team fell hard twice to world No 6 Japan in the space of three days in Tokyo, losing game one 125-57 and game two 92-50.
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Whittaker, who will be entering her freshman season in 2024-25 = after red-shirting last season - with the Lady Bulldogs, carried the offensive load for the New Zealand selection, especially game two.
The 6-foot-3 forward from Christchurch put up 20 points (9/14 FG, 2/3 3pt), four rebounds, four assists and two steals in game one, and 33 points, 12 boards, five assists, two steals and a block in game two.
The extent of Whittaker's one-woman show in game two was that Ella Bradley was the next highest scorer with five points.
Forward Ezra McGoldrick had 15 points (6/10 FG, 3/4 FT), nine rebounds and two blocks in game one, with Tera Reed contributing nine points, six boards and three assists and Tara Manumaleuga eight boards and five assists.
McGoldrick scored the first points of game two but that was it for her scoring-wise, adding six rebounds and four assists, before leaving the game after halftime with an injury.
Tall Ferns Interim head coach Natalie Hurst and her staff will now prepare for a FIBA Women's World Cup pre-qualifier series in Mexico next month.
It remains to be seen which members of the Tall Ferns Select team will be called on to make the trip to the eight-team tournament in Mexico City.
For Japan, their next assignment is a meeting with favourites USA in an opening game at the Paris Olympics next month.
TALL FERNS SELECT RESULTS
Japan 125 (Mai Yamamoto 20, Evelyn Mawuli 17) Tall Ferns Select 57 (Lauren Whittaker 20, Ezra McGoldrick 15). 1Q: 39-15, HT: 67-34, 3Q: 92-49
Japan 92 (Maki Takada 23, Yuki Miyazawa 17) Tall Ferns Select 50 (Lauren Whittaker 33). 1Q: 24-13, HT: 47-29, 3Q: 70-38
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