The Mexicali Fresh Summer Jam has reached semi-finals stage, the games being staged at Youthtown on Tuesday night.
All four teams have individuals with Tall Blacks experience, proven NBL players and a swag of age group internationals.
The Block City Brawlers are led by the international pairing of Darryl Cartwright and Paul Henare – still one of the foremost point guards in the country. Their experience compliments the vigor of up and comers Alonzo Burton and Tohi Smith-Milner. Unfortunately for them Jack Salt is on holiday in the US and will be missing from the Brawlers line-up.
Burton has been a consistent threat from beyond the three-point arc throughout the competition and the Brawlers have the perfect foil for him in the backcourt. The energetic Houston O’Riley is always keen to get to the hoop.
The team boasts three current or former Tall Blacks. It’s not hard to imagine one or two other Brawlers earning full international recognition in the coming years.
The Brawlers will be opposed by a possible starting five of Dillon Boucher, Hayden Allen, Jarrod Kenny, Anamata Haku and Nick Barrow. That’s a team that wouldn’t disgrace any NBL team and can add the likes of Zack Makavilitogia, Tyler Kerlin, Carew Elers and Matt Lacey coming off the bench The Flava Flyers will have plenty of firepower to trouble the Brawlers.
The Youthtown Clique finished with the best regular season record albeit on points difference from The Brawlers. They will miss the direction and scoring power of the injured Lindsay Tait but the addition of Southland Sharks swingman Leon Henry gives the team added scoring variety. Westlake Boys guard Jaylen Gerrand can run the point along with the experienced Jonathan Southey. Another backcourt threat, Shea Ili will be missing as he is in Wellington with the NZ Maori team. Duane Bailey has been in terrific form lately – add the experience of Robson Tavita and Jahlal Ibrahim and the Clique have the benefit of a deep bench.
The Youthtown Clique will face The Birdmen who are led by Tall Black Casey Frank, he and the experienced Johnny Fesolai make an extremely athletic frontcourt. The Super city Rangers pairing of Carl Buck and Chris Farensohn will run the backcourt with the scoring punch of Javaan Mumtaz , Derone Raukawa and Nash Oh vying for the other starting spot. I would pick the Youthtown Clique to edge this encounter – The Brawlers v Flava Flyers match up is too hard to pick.
LACEY LOWDOWN 