NZL - If it doesn't kill you ...

AUCKLAND (FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament) - Mata Cameron is only too aware of how far her U19 Junior Tall Ferns must improve to achieve their aim of winning the women's title at next week's FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament.

She was coach when a New Zealand team featuring current Tall Ferns Micaela Cocks and Lisa Wallbutton lost by 36 points to Australia in the final two years ago. She was also at the helm when this current roster tasted even bigger defeats at the hands of the Gems in the FIBA Oceania Championships three months ago.

Cameron is also mindful of how an Oceania selection of Pacific Island players twice upset the Kiwis (not coached by her) at last year's Olympic Youth Festival in Sydney.

While the senior team has undergone a successful transition from the veteran outfit that made the Athens Olympic quarterfinals to a more youthful lineup that won silver medals at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, those following behind are taking their lumps.

That's gotta stop.

Cameron shakes her head when recalling the most recent setbacks - three losses by an average of 52 points.

"Despite the tough talk, we were intimidated," she admits. "But to their credit, the girls never gave up ... they are a neat bunch of girls."

It didn't help that several U19 candidates, including Tall Fern centre Jess McCormack, had been snapped up by the U21 selectors for a realistic crack at qualifying for the world championships in the older age group.

But Cameron is hopeful the lessons dished out by the Aussies will serve her players well in the week ahead at Waitakere.

"It's easier now we've cut the squad from 12 to 10," she says. We're getting through more and they have a bit more understanding of offenses and defences."

This time, the Australians will likely be younger, but still formidable, and the Kiwis will have games against New Caledonia, Fiji and American Samoa to tune up first.

The full Junior Tall Fern squad is ...

Te Amo Amaru-Tibble (Palmerston North), Philippa Connell (Canterbury), Petra Erceg (North Harbour), Lauren Ford (Palmerston North), Melissa Harrison (Canterbury), Jordan Hunter (Counties Manukau), Chevannah Paalvast (Massey), Georgina Richards (Canterbury), Rhandelle Sharrock (Palmerston North), Margaret Smeaton (Hutt Valley), 

Coach Mata Cameron
Assistant Tracy Carpenter
Manager Sarah Molisa

Grant Chapman