The BNZ Breakers began their 2023-24 NBL season in a positive fashion defeating Cairns Taipans 98-87 at Spark Arena on Saturday night. In front of nearly 7,000 fans it was a fitting way to celebrate Tom Abercrombie’s 400th game for the club.
Abercrombie is the first player to make 400 appearances for the club with the Breakers Top-10 appearance makers listed below.
| Tom Abercrombie | 400 | |
| Mika Vukona | 354 | |
| Paul Henare | 250 | |
| Alex Pledger | 238 | |
| Corey Webster | 236 | |
| Dillon Boucher | 220 | |
| CJ Bruton | 179 | |
| Finn Delany | 165 | |
| Kirk Penney | 160 | |
| Rob Loe | 145 | |
Parker Jackson-Cartwright may be small in stature – generously listed as 5’11” – but is certainly big in game and demonstrated that with a stats line of 25 points (10/17FG), 8 assists, 6 steals and 4 rebounds.
His 6 steals are the most on debut by a Breakers player since Dillon Boucher snaffled 8 additional possessions in the inaugural Breakers game against the Adelaide 36ers back in October 2003.
The victory represented the Breakers first season opening win since 2016.
Five players made their Breakers debuts against the Taipans with Zylan Cheatham becoming Breaker #143, Jackson Cartwright #144, Justinian Jessup #145, Mangok Mathiang #146 and Dane Pineau #147.
Finn Delany made a welcome return to Breakers colours posting 18 points (4/7 3PG) and a couple of rebounds.
A shout-out to former Westlake Boys High and Harbour representative Sam Mennenga. Mennenga, making his professional debut, impressed as he led the Taipans scoring with 17 points on 7 from 11 shooting. Another Tall Black Sam Waardenburg was also in double figures for Cairns scoring 12 points.
Upcoming:
Izayah Lea’fa needs just 9 points to reach 800 career points, 425 of those with South East Melbourne Phoenix.
LACEY LOWDOWN 