The Week That Was
Week Three of Amp'd April turned out to be moving weekend with teams on the ladder eying higher rungs and checking to see if they've deposited enough into their preparation account to to afford a move to a nicer neighborhood a wee bit closer to the top rung.
The moving trucks started in Pukekohe where the Bulls hosted the Rams in the Stockyard with top spot on the ladder going to the victor despite the Iron fist the Rams have had on top spot for the majority of the pas two years. Ethan Rusbatch (19pts) was back for the Bulls and his early shooting shot the home team to a 14 point first half lead but the Rams would fight back in the second half to take a 7 point lead early in the 4th as they looked to continue their 4 game winning streak. But Tae Hardy (30pts, 6ast) would push the offense while the Cameron brothers (19pts each) chipped in with timely buckets and tough D to power down the stretch and claim top spot with a convincing 104-92 home win.
The Rams wouldn't let their grip on top spot loosen for long as they returned to the Paddock at Cowles stadium to host a Jets squad who had sights on a top 6 spot. But the Rams defense physicality had lifted in response to their second loss of the season and a 15-2 second quarter run fueled by Kyle Bowen (17pts, 16rbs, 5ast, 2stls, 3blks) pushed the Rams to 1 16 point lead. The Jets would continue to hang around cutting the lead to 4 on a Kenny Goins triple but a balanced offensive attack would respond as Taylor Britt (21pts, 9ast) and company would hold the Jets at arms length to claim 92-81 victory and leap back into top position.
But top spot wasn't done finding tenants just yet as the Wellington Saints sweeping of the Southern Swing (say that 5 times fast) would pop them back into top spot. First up was the Josiah Allick-less Sharks who would struggle against the size of the Saints as Nick Muszynski's (19pts, 12rb) double-double would help fuel a 22 rebound advantage (57-35) as they cruised to a 93-72 win. A full strength Otago looked like they would provide a sterner test next up, but the Saints were ready from the opening tip and jumped to a double digit quarter time lead. Hyrum Harris (24pts, 13rbs, 5st) was everywhere and Shea Ili (31pts, 8ast) was efficiently electric as the lead pushed out to 25 points in the 2nd quarter. The Nuggets wouldn't give up, with Don Carey Jr (26pts, 8rbs, 8ast) and Jono Janssen (20pts) keeping the work rate high, but the lead was to great to truly cut into and the Saints would roll home to the 111-99 win in a game they never trailed in.
The Saints weren't the only team playing two over the weekend as the Jets would take back to the Hangar as they looked to sweep the season series against the visiting Airs. Taranaki would look a bit different this time around with Owen Foxwell (35pts, 9ast, 5rb) not hampered by injury and his inclusion would make a difference early as he exploded for 11 first quarter points with ample support from the starting 5 as they leapt to a 14-point quarter time lead. Dontae- Russo Nance (22pts) and Miles Gibson (31pts, 9rbs) would drive a second quarter comeback chopping the lead down to 2 just before the break. But when a Harry Froling (18pts, 4rbs) led a 3rd quarter charge to see the lead stretch to 17 the hopes for the home fans were dwindling. But an epic 39 point quarter was on the cards, as all Jets chipped in at various times but led by Kenny Goins (19pts, 9rbs, 8ast) who could do no wrong down the stretch as they took the game, 111-106, and season series 2-0. The Airs left to ruminate on the drive back to New Plymouth on their 19 turnovers and inability to hold a double digit lead.
The final team with a weekend double was the Tuatara who were returning to the Sanctuary looking to continue their 3 game winning streak and further develop cohesion with a team that had added 2 big pieces in recent weeks. They had little more than a training run against the Panthers, winning 114-71, to warm up for a clash against a Hawks squad that had been revitalised with the addition of 3 ANBL championship winning Hawks of the Illawarra variety, not to mention head coach Sam Gruggen. The action was intense and instant as Hawke's Bay exploded into an early lead behind a Dan Grida(33pts, 7rbs, 4blks) 24 point first half. But there was another Illawarra Hawk on deck for the home team and Davo Hickey took on the challenge from his Aussie championship teammates to respond in kind with a number of full court takes ending in acrobatic finishes at the rim. With the support of Rob Loe (13pts, 11rbs) and Buay Tuach (23pts) Auckland would streak back to take a 4 point lead at the half. The second half would wee Grida's scoring slowed the rest of the Hawks were unable to pick up the slack, particularly from deep where their 5-22 3pfg shooting would come up well short of Auckland's 14-33, the 27 point discrepancy from deep enough firepower to help the Tuatara build a 19-point 4th quarter lead before eventually taking the win 106-97. The win thrusting the Aucklanders into 5th place on the back of 5 straight wins, the side looking very much like championship contenders for the 4th year in a row.
Worth a Mention
Happy Trails to Shaun Bruce - Bruce answered the emergency call from the Wellington Saints when Shea Ili's arrival was delayed. The Australian returning to the Saints for the first time since the 17-18 season and providing tremendous cover with his averages of 17.1ppg, 4.4apg, 5.6apg over 8 games. Duty calls, matrimonial duty that is and we wish him the best for his upcoming nuptials.
Welcome back Shea Ili - Bruce may be departing but what a replacement to have in his place. Suiting up in the Sal's NBL for the first time since the 18-19 season where he hit for 16.9ppg, 4.3rpg, 5.5apg and his Saints went down to the Sharks in the title game. His explosive start has shown how much his game has grown in that time. The 32 year old reigning Australian NBL defensive player of the year is averaging 22ppg, 9apg, while shooting 62% from the field and 44% from three.
Miles Gibson = B2 Bomber- Much like the stealthy B2 Bomber Gibson is flying under the radar as the Jets start has them equal wins with the 6th spot on the ladder. With Corey Webster and Dontae Russo-Nance controlling the rock and getting the majority of of defensive attention it has meant Gibson's efficient game (22.6ppg, 8.9rpg, 42% 3pfg, 37.4 minutes per game) has been able to move along stealthily while doing damage on defenses as in their most recent game when he dropped 31pts, 9rbs, 3stls on 70% shooting. When held in check (as against the Rams) the Jets offense struggles to keep pace but when given freedom of movement the Jets turn on the afterburners.
Chris Jones Whai Heartbeat - If I'm writing about things happening under the radar I can't leave out the Whai's 5-2 start following a gritty win in Nelson that was fueled by tough buckets by Jones down the stretch. Jones' numbers are solid (18ppg, 5.9apg, 2.3stls) but don't tell the story of tough buckets down the stretch or the whistles that go his way out of sheer determination not to be screened. With a tight win over a determined Giants squad over the weekend the Whai sit equal second on wins nearly a third of the way through the season and the play of Jones is as big a reason as any.
Will "Davo" Hickey - Three triple doubles in 4 games!?!? And in the fourth he came he had 20 pts 8rbs, 7ast in 20 minutes?!? An obviously phenomenal start to his Auckland career (27.8ppg, 10.3rpg, 9.5apg, 1blk, 1.5 stl) where he has dominated with drive and athleticism has seen the Dino's take five on the trot and has Tuatara fans thinking the fourth time just might be the charm. Yeah that's worth a mention.
