New Zealand Breakers 73, Adelaide 36ers 59
The Aussies are invading New Zealand…. Is what we would say if Adelaide managed to hold out and serve the trans-Tasman champions their second loss on home soil in as many weeks; but it wasn’t to be.
Playing at the beautiful Vector Arena, New Zealand got off to a good start, Alex Pledger dominant in the middle, on a mission to beast after collecting no rebounds a week before. In the second quarter the points dried up, Daniel Johnson frustrated with the pressure on him around the basket but confused at an odd USF whistled against him. Adelaide made their charge in the third, managing to take the lead heading into the final quarter. Basketball nation was at the edge of their seats, waiting to witness a fantastic finish between two highly skilled teams.
But, again, it wasn’t to be, Adelaide’s finish to the game was as ‘off’ at Peter Slipper’s texting as New Zealand scored 27 to 12 to run away with the 14 point win. Johnson, together with the trigger happy Adam Gibson were responsible to launching half of the 36ers shots, which is far too many a team with that many options, especially when they are shooting just over 30% combined (not as bad a Lucke Schenscher’s 17% we know). When the ball gets lost in those two black holes in Adelaide’s offence they are horrible to watch. Consequently, Johnson had 15 points, Gibson 12 whilst Anthiny Petrie finished with 13 off 6/9 from the field.
Cedric Jackson was up to his usual game time antics, scoring points, grabbing boards, dropping dimes and thieving like they are going out of style, Jackson finished with 17 points, 7 boards, 7 assists and 5 steals, whilst Alex Pledger finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Interesting to note that free throw shooting was almost as bad at field goal shooting, both teams combining for a lousy 48%, 18 from 37.
Sydney defeat Melbourne, 85 – 82
With drink in hand, forcing ourselves to watch, we couldn’t help but think that this was the most boring game of basketball ever. That was until Corin Henry went on an absolute tear during the third quarter. Henry was carting his little frame all over the court, stealing the ball, making shots, finding his team mates. The guy was inhuman, not even five Melbourne Tigers could get in his way.
With Ian Crosswhite spending eternity on the bench with foul trouble the Tigers took to offensive boards to keep them in the game. Darnell Lazare simply cannot grab everything; he needs some support, fellow Kings.
For two teams highly touted as being cellar dwellers this season, they sure put together an exciting second half, erasing the boring first half from memory. For the last five minutes of the game the margin was no greater than four points, the lead chopping and changing. Lazare was as cold as ice, nailing four clutch free throws, Seth Scott made a meal on the Tigers last play, turning the ball over with a clumsy travel, essentially giving the crowd dinner and a show, the Kings found themselves on the right side of a three point margin.
Benny Magden needed to let the running baseline jumpers go, they were never going to go in. James Harvey showed there was some life in his rather pale for someone who lived on the Gold Coast frame scoring 14 points, Darnell Lazare played a lot of minutes due to Crosswhite’s foul trouble but finished with 23 points and 13 boards, but Corin Henry will be remembered for his impressive 23 points, 4 boards, 5 assists and four steal performance. Beware, Corin Henry is the new King of Sydney.
Liam Rush collected an efficient 15 points, both Seth Scott and Lucas Walker both finished on 14, but probably more impressive for the fans was the performances in spurts from the rest of their camaraderie. Bennie Lewis, Kevin Brasswell, and Matty Burston all making significant contributions at different stages of the game.
Hawks earn win over Taipans, 68 – 58
How typical that every year at the beginning of the season that everyone writes off the Hawks, and every year they just keep quietly beating teams ranked above them and leaving them in their wake.
Even as a community team with limited funds, the Hawks year after year manage to put a quality side together and the balanced effort this week was proof that this trend will continue, Adris Deleon provides them with quality at the point guard and Oscar Forman continues his tremendous form from last season, the Hawks had contributions from both players plus the contributions from Larry Davidson and Rhys Martin to lead them to victory.
The Taipans who were one of the league’s worst offensive teams last year were thought to have improved that with the inclusion of one of the league’s best offensive forwards in Cam Tragardh, Tragardh was at his usual offensive best with his game high 20pts and 8reb but it was only 1 other player who bothered to help out and that was Shane Edwards who added 14pts and 7reb of his own.
With a doomsday double scenario next round with 2 consecutive games in a row against Sydney on Friday and Adelaide on Saturday the Taipans are going to have to dig deep to get at least 1 let alone both of these games, the pressure is on for the Snakes if they hope to make the finals and the upcoming round could make or break their whole season, will their revamped roster be enough to keep them in it?
Wildcats tame the Crocs, 82 – 58
It was always going to be a tough ask for the Crocs going into this game facing the Wildcats who had just come of a monster win against the defending champs the week before and who have beaten the Crocs relentlessly even on their home court in the past few seasons.
It started out well for the Crocs, taking the game to the Cats and holding the lead for a short time and showing an energy level worthy of a performance in front of their home crowd and with the inclusion of the 2 imports to their squad, 1 former league MVP and 1 former import of Croc Nation.
Unfortunately was nothing short of bad signs for the Crocs with a 29% shooting display from the field including just 13% from 3pt land, the Crocs were beaten in almost every statistical category by the Wildcats except steals and fouls, and steals were only because of the Wildcats scrappy ball handling trying to push the tempo of the game into high speed offence, when your leading scorer (Michael Cedar) scores just 11pts, you know you’re in for a long night.
The Wildcats were not perfect either just for the record, their huge turnover count in the first half was poor execution of offence, especially in transition, not something coach Bevo would have been too happy with at all.
The 2nd half saw that issue diffused with the Cats controlling the boards, the paint and practically the whole court, Kevin Lisch and Shawn Redhage had the type of games you expect from them and this was just a complete Wildcats domination in the 2nd half.
With their first 5 games on the road and already being 2-0, the Cats are sending a message to the league that they’re coming into your house and are going to raid the fridge while they’re at it, would be a good idea for the Tigers to hide the beers as they come to your house next week.
Gimme my Change Award
There wasn’t much to cheer for in Croc Nation this week after the demoralising defeat at the hands of the Wildcats but there was one shining light and something worthy of an award this week.
The jersey of the Croc, Townsville’s entertaining mascot was immortalised and raised to the rafters in the Swamp ensuring a legacy in the clubs history.
The 100% Croc singlet will forever hang in the rafters of the Swamp but hopefully now this doesn’t give the Croc a big head and have him thinking he now only has to give a 50% effort in keeping the Croc fans entertained throughout the game.
Can’t Buy a Damn Thing Award
The 2 teams from North Queensland get the nod this week.
Was it a mere coincidence that both teams only managed a mere 58 points apiece in their match ups this week?
The Taipans who had greatly increased their offensive potency with the addition of high scoring forward Cam Tragardh and the return of MVP candidate Jamar Wilson couldn’t once again crack the 60pts in a game mark.
The Crocs, albeit in the face of the best defensive team in the league in the Wildcats couldn’t do it either with a 20pt scoring 2nd half and a top score of just 11pts from Michael Cedar.
Is it something in the water in far North Queensland or is it some sort of reptilian curse, we don’t know but someone better get these reptiles a hot rock or something as both offences need to heat up in a real hurry if they are going to have any chance at finals basketball this year.
