A first up win by The Birdmen was the most notable event in round eight of the Mexicali Fresh Summer Jam.
The Birdmen edged the Flava Flyers, 56-51 at the end of a high scoring opening half. The first appearance of Ray Cameron boosted the Birdmen’s front court that already boasted the NBL presence of player-coach Casey Frank (Wellington Saints) and Johnny Fesolai (Supercity Rangers). A depleted Flyers lineup struggled to cope with this fire power and lost the third period 33-19. Anamata Haku, Carew Elers and Peter Josephs toiled valiantly but with Haku and Josephs on four fouls from the middle of the third period any sustained defensive intensity was almost impossible.
Nineteen points ahead entering the final period and still 101-88 to the good with 5:10 remaining it appeared The Birdmen would cruise to the win. However a pair of three’s from Sam Everitt followed by a steal and lay up from Ana Haku completely changed the complexion of the game, 103-96 with 3:50 to go.
Frank, Fesolai and point guard Nash Oh had been watching from the side line imagining their work was complete but the scoring rush by the Flyers prompted their return.
The Birdmen immediately went inside to Frank who scored with a baby hook and a put back on the next play to ease his team’s nerves. However, Fesolai didn’t help his team’s cause by committing an unsportsmanlike foul to gift Mark Kelly a couple of freebies – 107-101 with 1:15 left on the clock. Jarrod Kenny and Everitt had a couple of long range efforts for the Flyers but the Birdmen held on for a deserved first success.
Final score;
The Flava Flyers 103 (Haku 31, Everitt 22, Kenny 20, Kelly 20 )
The Birdmen 113 (Fesolai 24, Oh 17, Frank 16, Dennis Tawhiti 16)
The two teams with the best record in the competition met in a game that promised to be a keenly fought contest. Unfortunately it turned out to be a rather lack lustre affair as Youthtown Clique won every quarter to record a comfortable 99-83 victory over The Block City Brawlers.
Duane Bailey, eyeing his potential elevation from a development spot to a full time contract on the Breakers roster was irresistible for the Clique. He opened the scoring, notched ten first quarter points and eventually totalled 36 points to go with 13 rebounds. Lindsay Tait complimented Bailey nicely, Patrich Bolstad was athletic around the rim and Robson Tavita and Jahlal Ibrahim were solid under the boards.
Paul Henare was the best of the Brawlers, Inga Solofuti and Nasi Malua had their moments but with Alonzo Burton having a rare off night they lacked the firepower to threaten the Clique.
Final score;
Youthtown Clique 99 (Bailey 36, Tait 28, Bolstad11, Jaylen Gerrand 10)
Block City Brawlers 83(Henare 22, Solofuti 19, Malua 18, Luuk Witteveen 12)
Standings after 8 rounds:
6-2 Youthtown Clique
5-3 Block City Brawlers
4-4 Flava Flyers
1-7 The Birdmen
LACEY LOWDOWN 