LACEY LOWDOWN

The final round of the Mexicali Fresh Summer Jam regular season featured a couple of high scoring games as The Birdmen edged Save Youthtown 99-91. Earlier Breakers Development went on the rampage, outrunning Mai 88 Sixers 133-110 Breakers Development got off too a quick start, executing some full court trapping defence, forcing turnovers and opening an 8-0 advantage. It was good to see Reuben Te Rangi returning to the sort of shooting form he is known to be capable of – he knocked down four from five triples in the opening quarter alone as the Breakers surged to a 42-27 lead. Paul Henare, recruited to bolster a weakened lineup, provided some stability in the backcourt for the Sixers and a brace of triples from Hayden Allen helped the cause but the Breakers were still well ahead at half time 76-56. It was interesting to watch the former Breakers point guard against a possible future Breakers point guard, Henare versus Ili, both showing moments of class.  Ili continuously attacked the glass with athletic drives and Henare came up with the pass of the night as he threw an assist to Nick Barrow whilst lying prone on the floor. Point guard Isaac Letoa brought up the 100 for the Breakers as the third period concluded with the Sixers still trailing by 20 points The scoring continued to move at pace as Brad Anderson and Tai Wynyard found the basket with ease as at the other end Barrow and Robson Tavita stuck to their task despite the odds being against them. Final score: Breakers Academy 133 – Te Rangi 29, Ili 24, Anderson 26, Wynyard 21, Jordan Ngatai 11. Mai 88 Sixers 110 – Allen 30, Barrow 22, Henare 17, Tavita 16, Matt Lacey 13, John Harrison 10. The second game was also a free scoring affair as The Birdmen outlasted Save Youthtown 99-91, despite an Inga Solofuti, Anthony Jones led late charge. Scorers are unfortunately not available from this game. The Grand Final of the second edition of the Mexicali Fresh Summer Jam will be played next Tuesday, February 10th, 8pm at Auckland University Sports Centre. Breakers Academy with Te Rangi, Ili, Ngatai, Anderson and Wynyard will take on the Lindsay Tait/Dillon Boucher led Save Youthtown – well worth a watch.