GAME PREVIEW
Backing up after a trip to the capital, the Hawks are at home to host another team backing up, the Rangers. It’s a busy start for both teams and while dual victories or, at worst, a split is acceptable, to losses should be avoided at all costs. The Rangers stand to be a little fresher having played Thursday night. This will be the Hawks’ first home game for 2019 and they will hope to match or better last year’s record of only dropping two games at Pettigrew Green Arena. All eyes will be on Egwu, Quarterman and Jois as the three imports settle in for the visitors and if they fire, they could head home with their tails up. The Auckland-based side won three quarters of their games on the road in 2018 but haven’t registered a win over the Hawks since 2017. Breaking this two-year drought could be a catalyst to an optimistic Rangers’ season, while the Hawks would prefer to see this streak continue. There’s going to be some mixed feelings coming out of round one for these two as they both endure a hectic start to the season.
TAYLOR HAWKS
Starting 5
6. Jarrod Kenny (guard)
13. Dion Prewster (guard)
12. Ethan Rusbatch (guard)
25. EJ Singler (forward)
14. Daniel Kickert (forward)
Bench
3. Nick Fee (guard)
5. Everard Bartlett (guard)
27. Shaquille Thomas (forward)
21. Clifton Bush III (forward)
7. Darryl Jones (forward)
11. Jamal Mikaio (forward)
9. James Levings (guard) *Questionable
Coach: Zico Coronel
Assistant: Morgan Maskell
Assistant: Rob Hartley
Manager: Jordan Wise
Physio: Colin Tutchen
From The Coach – Zico Coronel
Every possession of basketball we play represents a chance to collectively play better basketball than we ever have before. Coming into the Rangers game we will have played on the road against the Saints the night before. I’m sure we will learn a lot from that game and we will be looking to apply our learnings as quickly and effectively as possible.
SUPERCITY RANGERS
Starting 5
1. Tim Quarterman (guard)
9. Lesae Coe (guard)
5. Randall Bishop (guard)
55. Venky Jois (forward)
32. Nnanna Egwu (forward)
Bench
8. Nicholas Brophy (guard)
20. Scott Telfer (forward)
6. Jaylen Gerrand (guard)
46. Reuben Fitzgerald (guard)
21. Samuel Aruwa (forward)
66. Karl Margon (guard)
2. Hyrum Hippolite (guard)
Coach: Jeff Green
Assistant: Anthony Keung
Manager: Auatua Pamatatau
From The Coach – Jeff Green
The Hawks have shown during pre-season that they will be one of the teams to beat with the style of play they bring to the court, which is very similar to what we want to do. We want to push the ball and play good defence, and have our offensive chances come out of that defence. The Hawks have a bit more experience than us, but I think both teams will play a similar style, which the fans will enjoy watching.
