GAME PREVIEW
Both the Manawatu Jets and the 2 Cheap Cars Supercity Rangers are looking for greener pastures in 2019. The two franchises won seven games between them last year but will need to aim for double digits individually if they hope to push for the playoffs in 2019. Kuran Iverson’s return to Palmerston North means Head Coach Tim McTamney has an elite scorer and rebounder to mould around his young core. Wally Ellenson is a supreme athlete with hops and could add some highlights as well. The Jets have had little turn over with their squad and have a full Sal’s NBL season of experience under their belt. The Rangers are polar opposites when it comes to roster retention and have had nearly a complete overhaul. They have signed former NBA talent Tim Quarterman and Melbourne United back-up big Venky Jois, while Nnanna Egwu is another exciting import set to light it up. Both teams will be confident going into this fixture and will hope to start their season on a winning note. For the Rangers it is the first of two games to open the season with a trip to Napier to face the Hawks on Saturday making for an important welcome to 2019.
BROADCAST DETAILS
*Live on SKY and Prime from 7:30pm
MANAWATU JETS
Starting 5
10. Jackson Stubbins (guard)
6. Anthony Odunsi (guard)
3. Wally Ellenson (guard/forward)
31. Kuran Iverson (forward)
50. Shane Temara (forward/centre)
Bench
5. Taane Samuel (forward)
15. Troy Temara (forward/centre)
30. Adam Carter (guard)
33. Ashton McQueen (guard)
4. Haize Walker (guard)
12. Rangimarie Mita (guard)
11. Jake McKinlay (guard/forward)
Coach: Tim McTamney
Assistant: Terry Tanoa
Assistant: Josh Reeves
Manager: Jason Pearn
From The Coach – Tim McTamney
2019 is a new campaign. We have built on the successes of last season, learnt from our challenges and are in the process of creating an organisation, from top to bottom, that the Manawatu community can be proud of. We retain our youthful appearance (coach excluded), the oldest player on the Manawatu Jets roster is only 26 years of age. But what we lack in age and experience we will make up for in determination and a will to succeed. You will see some familiar faces in the Manawatu Jets this 2019 season but many new ones too. But whether new or old, the common features on those faces will be the intent, character and drive to represent you with all we have to give.
2 CHEAP CARS 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
Though the team will be under-prepared, I like the roster we have put together with three quality imports and some really eager young guys. First up against the Jets will prove to be a battle between two young teams, which will provide a good spectacle. We have about 20 NZ NBL games experience in total, but the enthusiasm is sky-high and I know I have a team that want to go out and run hard, battle hard and play hard. This is the first game of a busy weekend, but given we are a relatively new group it will serve us well to spend the weekend together. I haven’t enjoyed a pre-season with a group like this for a long time, they have really taken me back a couple of decades with their enthusiasm and hunger. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.
