Well the regular season is over and the playoff matchups are set, so we call a wrap on the weekly write up and say hello to playoff time.
Not only has the regular seasoned finished but so has the career of some of the league’s stalwart players, with veterans Matt “Soup” Campbell and Stephen Hoare calling it an innings and moving on to the wonderful world of no more training, long haul flights and weekly poundings on the court.
 |
| Vintage photo of Campbell |
We would like to acknowledge their careers and wish them the best for their future endeavours away from the court.
But before the Wrap, please take some time to put in your nominations for the 2012 CBAB Awards.
Taipans hold on against 36ers, 79 – 75
With both their seasons coming to an end after this round these teams were playing for pride and fueling of their competitive spirit.
The 36ers have few positives to take away from this season other than the discovery of import Diamon Simpson who if the 36ers had any sense would bring back at all costs, the emergence of Daniel Johnson as one of the league’s premier young big men and the signing of Everard Bartlett who has provided some young legs and competitive spirit to their back court.
Simpson and Johnson combined for 35pts and 26reb in this game, Simpson with 20pts and 16reb and Johnson with 15pts 10reb to lead the 36ers, unfortunately even with that level of production it just wasn’t enough to get them over the line.
Chris Warren 11pts 6ast, Darren Ng 12pts and Steven Weigh 11pts 8reb were also double figure scorers.
Cairns are reminiscing of last year’s grand final series appearance as their season also hadn’t gone to plan, missing out on post season play again and looking to retool their roster for next season to get back into the playoff race.
Cairns did play well and win this game, and their usual lack of offence was a thing of the past with 5 double digit scorers lead by Andrew Warren and Jamar Wilson who both had 17pts a piece.
Without the inclusion of Alex Loughton and Ian Crosswhite, it was left to workman like Dusty Rychart to do the blue collar stuff, Rychart had 10pts and 8reb and was one of the other double figure scorers along with Aaron Grabau 13pts 7reb 3ast and Brad Hill with 12pts 5reb.
So all is said and done for the Taipans for season 11/12, we bid them adieu and look forward to seeing what changes they make for next season, for the 36ers, they still have one last game left against the Hawks which will be no easy feat as the Hawks will be wanting to send off Matt Campbell with one last victory to send him off in style, the 36ers may be up against it and the wooden spoon may be theirs without question, but they will come out to play for some pride and not let the Hawks nostalgia for their retiring saviour get in their way.
(Box Score)
Wildcats come back against the Tigers, 72 – 71
If we described a game that had a team with 4 double digit scorers being defeated a team that only had 2, you would probably say we were telling a fairy tale, but we are talking about just that, it’s no fairy tale and we could barley believe it ourselves.
In one of the best comebacks of the season, the Wildcats stormed back to defeat the Tigers lead by club legend Shawn Redhage and one day to be club legend Kevin Lisch, both players scoring 19pts a piece and Lisch seemingly likely to take out the league scoring title bar an mathematical anomaly that would knock him off the perch, Redhage also added a team high 7reb to give him some much needed confidence going into the playoffs.
For the Tigers, Matt Burston was given minutes he should have been getting all season, making us as well as probably Tigers fans and basketball watchers wonder why he wasn’t given them throughout the season when the Tigers were struggling with a lack of size and matchup issues, Burston had 15pts 13reb and 2blk in just over 30 minutes, so Trevor Gleeson, we seriously ask what you were getting paid for all season?
The Tigers looked like they were going to steal this game from the Cats, Ron Dorsey who usually struggles against the Wildcats had his best scoring night against this team with a 22pt explosion, Lucas Walker 12pts 9reb 3ast 4st had a night out as well proving he can be productive given court time and Myron Allen 13pts 6reb 7ast 6 turnovers rounded out the double figure scorers.
The Wildcats looked to be down and out and on their way to a loss just before going through preparations for their playoff run half way through the game but it was some inspiration from their MVP candidate Lisch and co captain Redhage that lead them back.
As mentioned both players had 19pts each and took over the load with other players struggling to get it going offensively, that mixed with the Wildcats usual stifling defence brought them back to get the victory in the dying seconds.
So with the victory the Wildcats go into their semi final series against the Blaze full of confidence and regained some much needed form, the Tigers will ponder on another failed season that was and how they are going to come back bigger and stronger next season.
(Box Score)
Breakers too strong for the Crocs, 76 – 69
The Breakers could have shut it down, taken their foot off the gas and cruised into the playoffs, with top spot locked up and nothing left to prove, but playing who would now be their semi final opponents, the Breakers wanted to make a point, and make a point they did.
The Crocs seemed to lack just about everything in this game, they never made use of their size in the middle with Schenscher having just 6pts and 4reb in 17 minutes of court time, they lacked rebounding which is bizarre for any team that includes a rebounding machine like Jacob Holmes who only had 3 for the whole game despite playing 23 minutes.
Only the Croc imports did any damage at all, Elvin Mims 14pts 6reb and Eddie Gill 11pts 4reb being the only double figure scorers for the Crocs, whether they were resting players for the playoffs we don’t know, but they definitely mailed this one in.
The Breakers on the other hand were relentless and showed no mercy, Thomas Abercrombie continuing his scintillating form with 20pts and Gary Wilkinson had 16pts 6reb lead the way, the stat line of Cedric Jackson was the coolest of the night in that it included triple 7’s, that’s 7pts 7reb 7ast, which would be great if you were playing poker.
So with these 2 teams meeting in the semi finals, we can only hope that the Crocs put on a little better showing than they did in this game or it will be as quick an exit as it was an entry.
(Box Score)
Hawks send out “Soup” with a win, beat Kings, 77 – 68
It’s no secret that we secretly back the Hawks (unless they are playing the Wildcats of course) and wish them the best when it comes to games, with a class act front office and community backing we always like to see the little guy get up and make some noise, and make some noise they did against the Kings.
With the front runner for Rookie of the Year Anatoly Bose leading the way the Kings looked like it was going to make it as hard possible for the Hawks to get a victory to help send out Matt Campbell in the right way in his second last game, Bose had a nice double double with 21pts 10reb.
Julian Khazzouh 18pts 6reb and Ben Madgen 15pts rounded up the double digit scorers for the Kings.
 |
| Magden had healing powers, but it wasn’t enough |
The Hawks lifted to provide Campbell with some great memories of his final games providing 4 double figure scorers on the night including Campbell himself who had 11pts.
Joevan Catron lead the way with 15pts 10reb 2ast 3st and 3blk and Ayinde Ubaka provided some help from the back court with his 13pts 4reb 3ast, one can only wonder if either of these players will return next season but they did show some love for Soup by putting in a good performance.
Oscar Forman and Rhys Martin were the other 2 players to bother the scoresheet, Forman with 11pts and Martin with 12 but it was Campbell who stole the show going out in a way a champion should.
So with the Kings season over it seems like Shane Heal will look to come back to lead this team for a whole season next year and see if he can make some improvements, with great young stars and an injured Aaron Bruce to come back the Kings look like they could be a team that can create some noise only a few years after returning.
For the Hawks, it will be life without Soup who we can only hope stays involved with the club in some way and a possible recruitment drive to bring the Hawks back to glory and with one more game left to play we can only hope they can send out their club saviour the only way he deserves, like a hero and champion.
(Box Score)
Hawks pwn 36ers, 92 – 78
There was no time for Mat Campbell to celebrate his long career with his men. It was straight onto the plane and then straight to Adelaide Arena. From the outset, the Hawks meant business. Adelaide dumbfounded at the ease the hawks were playing with, it was almost too easy.
After finding themselves down by eternity at the half, the 36ers conceded the battle and flew the white flag for the rest of the game. Yes they won the final two quarters, barely though, by a combined total of 7 points, almost half of the margin the Hawks won the first two quarters by.
By losing this game Adelaide finish the season on the bottom of the ladder, adding another wooden spoon to their trophy cabinet. Some will say that Adelaide suffered greatly from having Nathan Crosswell and Adam Ballinger out for most of the season, but even with those injuries aside a team with the talent of Daniel Johnson, Stephen Weigh, Diamon Simpson and Chris Warren have no business sitting on the bottom of the NBL ladder. Marty Clarke will spend the next few months considering the future and how to move forward and give the loyal, passionate and former ‘smartest fans in the league’ something to cheer about. Steve Weigh scored 15 and Daniel Johnson added 14.
If the NBL season was only one week long, the Hawks would have had the kind of season they were hoping for. The community club has seen a lot this season. They have seen Dave Gruber sitting out with injury, big man Larry Davidson also in his civvies at times, they have seen two imports being show the door (Yes, who else remembers Donovan Munroe?) and finally they have seen another season of Glen Saville arguing every call with the officials. The season was a long one, there were a lot of downs but hopefully two strong wins in round 25 will make ‘Mad Monday’ a little chirpier for these birds. Oscar Forman was the pick of the bunch, the Big O.M.G finshed with a team high 22 points whilst Larry Davidson scored 16 and grabbed 8 boards. Rhys Martin enjoyed his team shooting at 56% adding 9 assists and scoring 11 points.
(Box Score)
Gold Coast Blaze 94, New Zealand Breakers 71
The record books will show that the Gold Coast Blaze won this game, however it was against a team that had sealed top spot, rested players and took the foot off the accelerator. Though it was a dead rubber as far as the Breakers were considered a win to the Blaze affirmed third spot to the boys in blue, though in reality, third spot was already sealed.
With Cedric Jackson and CJ Bruton already in their casual attire it was only a matter of time before other Breakers began to join them. Thomas Abercrombie played 25 minutes and old legs Dillon Boucher ran around for 21. No doubt Mika Vukona was on the short list to ride the pine though foul trouble to the undermanned Breakers soon changed that. The Blaze adapted a similar front too. Ardis Deleon played for 20 mins, Anthony Petrie for 22 and Adam Gibson was nowhere to be seen. This meant that the young fellas could get a good run. Jason Cadee, Brendan Teey and Tom Garlepp all getting good minutes.
All this aside, the Blaze did shoot the ball well from outside, going 12/19 for 63%. When it rains, it pours on the Golden Beaches of Queensland. Team play wasn’t much of a concern. The Blaze managed only 10 assists in their 94 point haul. That is 1 assist in every 3.5 made shots. The Breakers faired a little bit better, finding 12 assists in 28 made shots from the field.
Chirs Goulding finished his regular season on a high, scoring 20 points and high fiving everyone in sight. Adris Deleon added 14 points and 4 assists whilst Mark Worthington added a very inefficient 13 points at 27%. Though it may of sounded like this game meant nothing to the Blaze earlier, it was a good session in trying to find some rhythm heading into their finals opponents, the Perth Wildcats.
The Breakers will face the Crocs, a team they disposed of earlier in the week so this was a good opportunity to let those who are feeling the physical stresses of the regular season a few days to get their rest and relax on. Abercrombie scored 15, Alex Pledger 12 and Leon Henry showed some life, scoring 11 points.
(Box Score)
Gimme My Change Award
 |
| Another Warhol Classic |
Mat Campbell hangs up his Chuck Taylor Allstars for the last time. Mat Campbell started playing at the Wollongong Hawks back when the TV was black and white and Chuck Taylors Allstars were the only basketball shoe available to wear. Ok, we might be exaggerating a little here but we do give Mat this week’s award in honour of his extraordinary NBL career.
Mat’s passion, dedication and attention to the Hawks franchise can be displayed by his actions. 524 games, all of them for the Hawks. Campbell was the driving force behind keeping the Hawks alive and is a city favourite in Wollongong. The truth is that not many basketball fans these days can remember the NBL without Campbell and many of us can’t picture one without Campbell.
Can’t Buy a Damn Thing Award
Cam Tragardh was atrocious against the Wildcats. A nomination for the league’s Most Improved Player Award and a player who has been in discussion for All NBL First Team, that is not good enough. 4 points, three boards and three turnovers in 18 minutes, the man never looked like he wanted any part of the game.
With Cedric Jackson and CJ Bruton already in their casual attire it was only a matter of time before other Breakers began to join them. Thomas Abercrombie played 25 minutes and old legs Dillon Boucher ran around for 21. No doubt Mika Vukona was on the short list to ride the pine though foul trouble to the undermanned Breakers soon changed that. The Blaze adapted a similar front too. Ardis Deleon played for 20 mins, Anthony Petrie for 22 and Adam Gibson was nowhere to be seen. This meant that the young fellas could get a good run. Jason Cadee, Brendan Teey and Tom Garlepp all getting good minutes. 
