APIA, Samoa (Women's Polynesian Cup 2018) - The Cook Islands has been running the table in the Women's division of the Polynesian Cup.

The ladies in green has recorded a 3-0 slate with an astounding 38.6 average winning margin sweeping the group phase in dominant fashion.

But the seemingly sudden basketball emergence of the island nation of 12,000 people was built through hard work and a unique way of developing their basketball program.

Adoniah Lewis was part of that tide of change in developing their basketball program as the former National Development Officer for the Cook Islands Basketball Federation (CIBF).

Lewis who is averaging 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists for the COK's worked as the NBDO of CIBF from 2015-2016.

"I went to college in America in Savannah Georgia, at the Armstrong University. After graduating, I came back to the Cook Islands to get some experience and started in the tourism department and did basketball development on the side and then FIBA came in," shared Adoniah.

FIBA Oceania Development Manager, Annie LaFleur worked closely with Lewis in her stint with CIBF, and she shared that the federation started to focus on 3x3 during her tenure.

"I loved working with Annie, and I learned a lot from her. When I was working with FIBA, we focused on developing 3 on 3, because there was a pathway for us," said Adoniah who plays for the Newcastle Eagles in the United Kingdom.

"In that year we managed to build up enough points to get us to the World Cup, and that was a huge achievement, and it was a very proud moment for me and my country," she added.

Lewis shared that the success in their 3x3 program gave the federation more clout and recognition and it has paved the way to resurrect their 5 on 5 program.

"When we first came in we had nothing, we were self-funded from everything in 3 on 3. It was easier because you only need four players. We had some success now people want to be part of it; it's easier to fund then go to 5 on 5 because you will have people that want to jump aboard. We are now in a position to request for more funding," Lewis shared.

Keziah-Brittany Lewis, Adoniah's younger sister, was part of the COK's team that won the Gold medal in the Mini-Games 3 on 3 tournament in Vanuatu last year.

The younger Lewis shared that their chemistry from the 3 on 3 competitions helped them acclimate faster in 5 on 5 and it was just a matter of them getting used to a system.

"I think we've all played regularly in the professional level and we've all grown up playing against each other," said Keziah.

"This is the first time I've played in the national 5 on 5 team with my sister, and its the first time, in general, the whole Cook Islands team played on a 5 on 5 tournament in a long time," she added.

No one knew what to expect from the Cook Islands after a long absence in the international circuit, and COK has blown away any expectations in this tournament.

When asked if they expected to play dominantly, Adoniah shrugged off the statement.

"No (laughing sheepishly) like what Keziah said we won the in 3 on 3, so we know each other well already but this is the first time we've played a 5 on 5 tournament, so this was a big thing for us," said Adoniah.

"We're from such a small island; we were trying to get more people to the island to prepare longer. But we don't have the funds to do that. We came with a positive mindset to do our best and get a top-two finish to qualify for Pacific games, and at the moment we're doing pretty good,"- Adoniah Lewis

Keziah and Adonia along with the whole team are relishing the opportunity of making history for the island and help basketball grown in their country.

"Our current success so far gives us more motivation. I know that basketball is not the number one sport, and it has been overlooked for a long time now, but I guess now we have created a lot of attention to the game, we've been in the newspaper a few times this week'," Adoniah proudly shared.

"Hopefully it gives young girls back home something to work towards to, because women from a young age back home, the only sport big enough over there is netball. The goal is to help the grassroots program and look for the next generation after us and take care the future of Cook Islands basketball," Keziah said.

"It opens up the door for everything. I love how we just learned about the Asia Cup because it also gives us a pathway in 5 on 5. For a small country it takes us an hour to get around to anywhere, and that's 12,000 people across 15 islands, to win a gold medal in a FIBA event is going to be monumental for us," she added.

It might only be the start for these group of women, in building the legacy of Cook Islands basketball.

FIBA