Despite a career high 33 points from Gary Wilkinson, the SKY CITY Breakers suffered a heart breaking two point loss to the Sydney Kings, 98-96 in Sydney last Saturday. The accompanying supporters tour had plenty to cheer about as an exciting game unfolded. Wilkinson nailed four consecutive triples in the third period but ultimately he and the team will rue missed scoring opportunities in the dying seconds. Kerron Johnson, enjoying good form at present, also had a strong game contributing 18 points and 10 assists. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out a replay of his running three pointer on the half time buzzer when surrounded by three Kings defenders – certainly one for the end of season highlights reel.
CJ Bruton chalks up another milestone in the upcoming fixture making his 509th NBL appearance. He now sits equal 10th on the all time appearance list alongside Paul Rees. The SKY CITY Breakers and the Cairns Taipans will face off three times over the closing six weeks of the regular season. The results of these games will go a long way to determining which of the two teams, if either, will force their way into a top four play-off spot. The Aaron Fearne coached Taipans are, like the SKY CITY Breakers, coming off a loss last weekend. They were defeated by the Townsville Crocodiles in the fixture known as the ‘Reptile Rumble’.
Experienced forward Cam Tragardh has been unavailable for the Taipans in recent weeks due to an ankle injury but Stephen Weigh has profited from Tragardh’s absence, putting up excellent numbers in the last month. The American duo of Jamar Wilson (13.7ppg) and Demetri McCamey (12.0ppg) provide plenty of scoring potential as does last season’s NBL Rookie of the Year Cameron Gliddon who scored 29 points when the teams last met back in round two – Cairns won that one by a solitary point, 86-85.
Tom Abercrombie heads into the fixture as the NBL’s leading three point shooter having connected with 50% (37/74) from beyond the arc. If he and Gary Wilkinson continue their good form the Breakers should have too much fire power for Cairns.
The Breakers all time home record against the Taipans is 13-7 – the two teams have only played at Vector Arena on one previous occasion, the Breakers winning 97-76 back in December, 2012. It promises to be a far tighter encounter on Friday night.
Congratulations to Jack Salt who got on court for the last few seconds of the game against Sydney Kings two weeks ago. 18 years old Salt , bound for the University of Virginia later in the year, is the 73rd player to play for the club in the ANBL.
LACEY LOWDOWN 