SKY CITY Breakers players past and present are making their mark in the NBL as the competition passes the half way stage. Last Sunday the Waikato Pistons got their first win at the eleventh attempt. Led by 27 points/7assists/4steals from Tai Webster the Pistons overcame the James Blond Super City Rangers 94-80.
The Otago Nuggets (10-1) are still top of the league but it took two free throws from Mark Dickel in the final six seconds to secure a 95-93 victory over the Jets. BJ Anthony was once again prominent scoring 17 points.
Former Breakers favourite Rick Rickert is back in New Zealand. Rick has teamed up with the Wellington Saints as they bolster their stocks for their tilt at securing the championship. The big American made 73 appearances for the Breakers and with 600 rebounds remains in fifth place on the club’s all time rebounding list. The Saints now boast a very handy “Breakers’ five. Lindsay Tait, Corey Webster, Dillon Boucher, Casey Frank and Rickert would give many a team in the Australian league a run for their money.
The Saints (9-2) are second on the table closely followed by the Nelson Giants (8-3). Mika Vukona, not renowned for his points scoring recently scored 25 points for the Giants in their win over the Jets.
Bad luck for Breakers Development player Morgan Natanahira who faces a long lay-off after sustaining his second ACL injury inside twelve months. Likely to require surgery, Morgan faces a long period of recuperation. Good news for his team, the Southland Sharks is that they have moved up into fourth place on the ladder. The Sharks (6-3) are of course coached by new Breakers assistant coach Paul Henare.
Henare’s fellow assistant Judd Flavell is in China this week. He is accompanying Academy players Jack Salt and Luuk Witteveen who are attending the prestigious Nike All Asia Basketball Camp. The invitational camp, attended by a number of NBA scouts and coaches is a wonderful opportunity for young players to showcase their skills. Rob Loe, Reuben Te Rangi, Tohi Smith-Milner and Isaac Fotu are Academy players who have benefitted from invitations in the past.
Talking of Isaac Fotu, he will head a team of current and former Academy players as they take on the Australian College of Basketball in a couple of games this week. Come along and support the lads – the games are being played on Wednesday and Thursday this week at Atlas Place. Games tip off at 7.30pm and entry is free.
Congratulations to Andrej Lemanis who gained his first win as the Australian Boomers coach last week. The Boomers won the second test against China 85-50 to tie the four game series 1-1.
LACEY LOWDOWN 