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40 Years Of Flashbacks: 1989 & 1990

During 2021 we are celebrating the 40th season of the Sal's NBL. In this edition of 40 Years of Flashbacks we go back to 1989 and 1990 when the Canterbury Rams claimed back-to-back championships.

 

1989 NBL CHAMPIONS: CANTERBURY RAMS

The Palmerston North Jets returned to the league in 1989 after claiming the Conference Basketball League (CBL) title in 1988. They replaced Ponsonby who were relegated to the CBL after their last place finish the previous year. Led by Willie Burton and Tyrone Brown, the Jets returned with a bang, finishing as regular season winners only to fall short in the semi-finals. The Canterbury Rams would go on to claim their second NBL title, defeating Auckland in the Grand Final.

Teams:

10 teams contested the 1989 season (final standings) 

  1. Canterbury Rams
  2. Auckland
  3. Palmerston North Jets
  4. Wellington Saints
  5. Hawke’s Bay Hawks
  6. Waikato Warriors
  7. New Plymouth Bulls
  8. Nelson Giants
  9. Waitemata
  10. North Shore.

Grand Final:

Canterbury Rams (91) defeated Auckland (83) (Referees: John Burton & Keith Milligan)

Season Award Winners:

  • Regular Season Winners: Palmerston North Jets (15-3)
  • Most Outstanding Guard (Keith Carr Trophy): Jamie Dixon (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)
  • Most Outstanding NZ Guard (John Macdonald Trophy): Byron Vaetoe (Auckland)
  • Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup): Willie Burton (Palmerston North Jets)
  • Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre (Stan Hill Trophy): Neil Stephens (Wellington Saints)
  • Scoring Champion (Alan Bland Memorial Trophy): Jamie Dixon (42.67) (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)
  • Rebounding Champion (Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy): Willie Burton (13.61) (Palmerston North Jets)
  • Assist Champion (Dave Taylor Trophy): Jamie Dixon (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)
  • Best Team Free Throws (Nial Forsyth Trophy): Hawke’s Bay Hawks
  • Young Player of the Year: John Adie (Auckland)
  • Coach of the Year: Curtis Wooten (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)

All-Star Five:

  • Tyrone Brown (Palmerston North Jets)
  • Willie Burton (Palmerston North Jets)
  • Jamie Dixon (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)
  • Neil Stephens (Wellington Saints)
  • Byron Vaetoe (Auckland)

40 Years of Flashbacks - presented by  

www.lde.co.nz

 

1990 NBL CHAMPIONS: CANTERBURY RAMS

The 1990 season was expanded to include twelve teams, with Hutt Valley, Otago and Waitakere joining the league. Waitemata was the team to drop out of the league. The Canterbury Rams went back-to-back for the first time, defeating the Nelson Giants in the first Grand Final that featured both South Island teams.

Teams:

12 teams contested the 1990 season (final standings) 

  1. Canterbury Rams
  2. Nelson Giants
  3. Palmerston North Jets
  4. Hutt Valley Lakers
  5. New Plymouth Bulls
  6. North Harbour Vikings (previously North Shore)
  7. Wellington Saints
  8. Hawke’s Bay Hawks
  9. Waitakere Rangers
  10. Waikato Warriors
  11. Otago Nuggets
  12. Auckland Cannons.

Grand Final:

Canterbury Rams (76) defeated Nelson Giants (73) (Referees: John Burton & Robin Milligan)

Season Award Winners:

  • Regular Season Winners: Nelson Giants (18-4)
  • Most Outstanding Guard (Keith Carr Trophy): Jamie Dixon (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)
  • Most Outstanding NZ Guard (John Macdonald Trophy): Byron Vaetoe (New Plymouth Bulls)
  • Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup): Kerry Boagni (Wellington Saints)
  • Most Outstanding NZ Forward/Centre (Stan Hill Trophy): Glen Denham (Canterbury Rams)
  • Scoring Champion (Alan Bland Memorial Trophy): Jamie Dixon (39.19) (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)
  • Rebounding Champion (Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy): Willie Burton (14.50) (Palmerston North Jets)
  • Assist Champion (Dave Taylor Trophy): Chris Harper (New Plymouth Bulls)
  • Best Team Free Throws (Nial Forsyth Trophy): New Plymouth Bulls
  • Young Player of the Year: Kent Mori (Palmerston North Jets)
  • Coach of the Year: Matt Ruscoe (Nelson Giants)

All-Star Five:

  • Kerry Boagni (Wellington Saints)
  • Willie Burton (Palmerston North Jets)
  • Jamie Dixon (Hawke’s Bay Hawks)
  • Kenny Stone (Nelson Giants)
  • Nenad Vucinic (Nelson Giants)
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