Kyungbock KO: Berwick NBA title defence is over

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Semi-Final: Boys Division – Kyungbock High School def. Berwick College 82-73

Boris Rosner produced a game-high 30 points and 10 rebounds but Berwick College's NBA Rising Stars International title defence ended with an 82-73 semi-final loss to Kyungbock High School at OCBC Arena Hall 1 on Friday.

Rosner was outstanding, shooting seven-from-10 on two-point attempts, knocking down four three-pointers and adding three steals as he kept Berwick within striking distance throughout a fiercely contested contest featuring 17 lead changes.

Zacharie Morrell added 16 points and eight rebounds, while Parker Rivet contributed seven points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals as Berwick battled one of the tournament favourites.

The Victorian school held a six-point lead during the game and won the rebound battle 62-54, including an impressive 28 offensive rebounds. However, missed opportunities proved costly as Berwick shot 39.2% from the field and just 18-of-33 (54.5%) from the free-throw line.

Kyungbock found its edge in the closing stages, outscoring Berwick 20-11 in the fourth quarter to secure its place in the championship game.

Jihoon Yoon led the Korean side with 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while captain Jiwon Yoon scored 23 points. Seongmin Eom controlled the paint with 18 rebounds.

Although Berwick fell one game short of the final, the Victorian school produced an outstanding tournament, with Rosner's all-round brilliance again leading the way in a spirited semi-final performance.

Girls Division Semi-Final – Seika Girls' High School def. Rowville Secondary College 99-52

Tesloch Puoch scored 13 points but Rowville Secondary College's run at the NBA Rising Stars International tournament ended in the semi-finals with a 99-52 loss to Japan's Seika Girls' High School at OCBC Arena Hall 1 on Friday.

Tesloch Puoch was Rowville's leading scorer, shooting an efficient five-from-six from the field, including a perfect one-from-one from three-point range. Captain Vanessa Tavete added 11 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Bridgette Kata contributed nine points and four rebounds.

Seika seized control from the opening quarter, building a 31-12 lead before extending the margin to 53-28 at halftime. The Japanese champions continued to pull away after the break, shooting 41.7% from beyond the arc and forcing 23 Rowville turnovers.

Buba Aisha Ezzine dominated the paint with 38 points and 18 rebounds, while Honoka Goto buried eight three-pointers on her way to 24 points. Yuua Ando added 14 points, helping Seika finish with 15 made three-pointers and 25 assists.

Rowville shot 47.4% on two-point attempts but struggled from long range, connecting on just three-of-21 (14.3%) from beyond the arc. Makayla Craven added six points and seven rebounds, while Tiedore Puoch finished with six points and five rebounds.

Although their tournament ended in the semi-finals, Rowville produced an impressive campaign against elite international opposition, reaching the final four and showcasing the depth of Australian school basketball on the world stage.

Game 2: Boys Division – Berwick College def. Tongtex Secondary High School 77-75

Boris Rosner produced a dominant double-double and delivered the game-winning plays as Berwick College stormed back from 18 points down to defeat Tongtex Secondary High School 77-75 in a thrilling Boys Division contest at OCBC Arena Hall 1 on Thursday.

Rosner finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds, hitting the go-ahead jumper with 29 seconds remaining before splitting two free throws with nine seconds left to seal one of the most dramatic victories of the Royal International School tournament.

Berwick trailed for more than 36 minutes and entered the final quarter down 62-53 before producing a stunning 24-13 fourth term.

Zacharie Morrell played a crucial role in the comeback with 20 points and eight rebounds. He sparked the rally with an and-one play, tied the game at 63-63 and later gave Berwick a 74-73 lead with less than two minutes remaining.

Parker Rivet added a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, including four offensive boards, before securing the decisive defensive rebound after Tongtex missed two late chances to force overtime. Oliver Van Den Brink contributed six points, seven rebounds and three steals.

The comeback was built on relentless effort rather than efficient shooting. Berwick shot just 36.5% from the field and 48% from the free-throw line but dominated the glass 64-49, including an extraordinary 31 offensive rebounds. Those extra possessions created 24 more field-goal attempts than Tongtex, while Berwick also forced 18 turnovers.

Tongtex controlled the game for most of the afternoon, leading 23-14 after one quarter and 46-35 at halftime. En-Hsiang Hsu scored 22 points with six three-pointers, but Berwick's persistence proved decisive when it mattered most.

Game 2: Girls Division – Rowville Secondary College def. University of Santo Tomas 81-78

Tiedore Puoch dominated with 33 points and 19 rebounds as Rowville Secondary College edged the University of Santo Tomas 81-78 in a thrilling Girls Division clash at the NBA Rising Stars Invitational at OCBC Arena Hall 1 on Thursday.

Puoch, the younger sister of Portland Fire's Nyadiew Puoch and Liberty draftee Manuela Puoch, controlled the game at both ends. She shot 11-from-21 from the field, 11-of-12 from the free-throw line and added six steals to lead Rowville to its second tournament win.

Rowville's balanced attack proved the difference, with Vanessa Tavete recording a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds while knocking down four three-pointers. Makayla Craven added 10 points and six assists, while Bridgette Kata contributed 10 points and 12 rebounds as four Rowville players finished in double figures.

Despite a determined challenge from Santo Tomas, Rowville consistently found answers through Puoch's inside presence and Tavete's perimeter shooting.

Puoch's relentless work on the glass helped Rowville control crucial possessions, while Craven orchestrated the offence and Kata provided valuable second-chance opportunities.

The victory continues an impressive tournament for Rowville, with Puoch once again showcasing why she is one of Australia's brightest young prospects, combining scoring, rebounding and defensive intensity in a match-winning performance.

Game 1: Girls Division – Rowville Secondary College 73 def Royal International School 48

Rowville Secondary College broke open a tight contest after halftime to defeat Royal International School 73-48 in the Girls Division at the NBA Rising Stars International tournament at OCBC Arena Hall 3 on Tuesday.

Leading by just five points at the main break, Rowville dominated the second half, outscoring Royal 38-18 to secure a convincing 25-point victory.

Tesloch Puoch led the way with 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while captain Vanessa Tavete added 13 points, five rebounds and three steals. Tiedore Puoch contributed 11 points, six rebounds and two assists, connecting on two-from-three from beyond the arc.

Bridgette Kata finished with 10 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Jordy Phillips provided valuable scoring off the bench with nine points, including three three-pointers.

Rowville's advantage on the glass proved decisive. The Australian school won the rebound count 58-41, including 20 offensive boards, creating a stream of second-chance opportunities. Aorangi Harding also made an important contribution with nine rebounds as Rowville combined for 14 assists and 13 steals.

Royal International School stayed within striking distance in the opening half behind Enkhzol Enkhbayar's 10 points and eight rebounds, while Solongo Lkhagvasuren also scored 10.

However, Royal struggled offensively, shooting just 28.8% from the field and committing 21 turnovers as Rowville's defensive pressure and balanced scoring turned a close game into a comfortable victory.

Game 1: Boys Division – Berwick College 91 def Bukit Jalil Sports School 35

Berwick College produced a statement performance at the NBA Rising Stars International tournament, overwhelming Bukit Jalil Sports School 91-35 in the Boys Division at OCBC Arena Hall 3 on Tuesday.

The Victorian school took control from the opening tip, racing to a 21-5 first-quarter lead before stretching the margin to 53-22 at halftime. Berwick led for almost the entire contest and finished with a tournament-high 56-point victory.

Berwick's depth was on full display, with all 10 players getting on the scoresheet. Zacharie Morrell led the way with 13 points and four rebounds, while Boris Rosner and Oliver Van Den Brink each scored 11 points. Jake Shaw finished with 10 points on a perfect five-from-five shooting display, Parker Rivet added 10 points and four steals, and Aiden Turkkan contributed 10 points, four assists and two steals off the bench.

Stevan Tasic anchored the interior with eight points and a game-high 10 rebounds as Berwick dominated every facet of the game.

The Australians shot 60.4% on two-point attempts, won the rebound battle 46-17, forced 28 turnovers and collected 17 steals through relentless defensive pressure. They also recorded 18 assists while producing an 18-0 scoring run.

Bukit Jalil managed just 13 points after halftime, including only two in the final quarter, as Berwick's defensive intensity and balanced scoring underlined its credentials as one of the tournament's leading contenders.