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Saints and Sharks: Head to Head

Grand Final Matchups – Mills Albert Wellington Saints vs Southland Sharks

Season Head-to-Head Recap

• March 26: Saints won 122–83
• April 10: Saints won 93–72
  Combined Margin: +60 points

While Wellington dominated Southland across both meetings, in showcases of their defensive skill and offensive depth, there won't be a ton that we can take from dissecting the matchups as that was an incomplete Southland team that was yet to be completed with the arrival of Sam Timmins and Brayden Inger, who's arrival gave the Sharks positional stability and a true big man in the middle as well as the depth of size and shooting that had been lacking. The Saints roster was actually quite similar to the current incarnation, as Shaun Bruce was still a key piece and Shea Ili played a minutes restricted role off the bench in his first game of the season when they faced each other in Invercargill. 

Wellington Saints Road Through the Final 6

Semi-Final: Wellington Saints 93 def Tauranga Whai 68

• Quarter Scores: 
  • WEL 26 | 23 | 20 | 24 — 93
  • TAU  20 | 18 | 19 | 11 — 68
• Biggest Lead: Saints by 25
• Points in the Paint: Saints 48 | Whai 38
• Second Chance Points: Saints 19 | Whai 10
• Bench Points: Saints 18 | Whai 22

Key Performers

• Nicholas Marshall 22 pts, 11 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL  - Dominated both ends and led all scorers
• Hyrum Harris 20 pts, 6 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK - Shot 87% from the field and 100% from three
• Nick Muszynski 15 pts, 8 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK - Shot 58% and controlled the paint, neutralising the impact of the Whai bigs
• Jordan Ngatai - 16 pts, 3 REB, 1 STL - Stormed to 11 first quarter points to set the tone while hitting 4 threes on the day
• Shaun Bruce - 12 pts, 4 AST, 66% FG - Efficient and composed off the bench

Team Highlights

• FG%: 51% (37/72)
• 3PT%: 42% (11/26)
• Assists: 28 (vs Whai’s 13)
• Rebounds: 44 (11 offensive)
• Turnovers: 10 (vs Whai’s 13)
• Steals/Blocks: 6 STL, 4 BLK

How they did it

The Saints were clinical and balanced, with five players scoring in double figures and a +15 rebound margin. Their ball movement (28 assists) and defensive pressure (holding Whai to 20% from three) were decisive. 

• Elite Ball Movement: 28 assists on 37 made shots
• Defensive Control: Held Whai to 68 points and 36% FG
• Depth: Bench contributed 18 points, led by Bruce
• Rebounding & Second Chances: 19 second-chance points

Southland Sharks Road through the Final 6

Elimination Final: Southland Sharks 91 def Auckland Tuatara 75

• Quarter Scores: 
  • SOU  26 | 21 | 29 | 15 — 91
  • AKL  18 | 20 | 19 | 18 — 75
• Biggest Lead: Sharks by 23
• Points in the Paint: Sharks 56 | Tuatara 26
• Bench Points: Sharks 16 | Tuatara 7

Key Performers

• Caleb Asberry: 35 pts (16/18 FG, 3/3 3PT), 10 AST, 4 STL  - Dominant in his best performance of the year
• Josiah Allick: 19 pts (8/8 FG), 14 REB, 4 AST — perfect shooting night including 1-1 from deep
• Samuel Timmins: 10 pts, 8 REB, 4 AST, 3 BLK — interior anchor
• Brayden Inger & Alonzo Burton: Combined 16 pts off the bench

Highlights

• FG%: 60% (39/65)
• Assists: 21
• Rebounds: 45 (39 defensive)
• Turnovers: 25 (high, but offset by shooting efficiency)
• Defensive Control: Held Tuatara to 36% FG and 33% from three

Semi-Final: Southland Sharks 101 def Canterbury Rams 82

• Quarter Scores: 
  • SOU 28 | 19 | 26 | 28 — 101
  • CAN 14 | 20 | 14 | 34 — 82
• Biggest Lead: Sharks by 29
• Points in the Paint: Sharks 50 | Rams 26
• Bench Points: Sharks 16 | Rams 25

Semi Final Key Performers

• Josiah Allick: 21 pts, 15 REB, 3 AST — dominant double-double while shooting 62% from the field and 3-4 3pfg to put a bow tie on it
• Keylan Boone: 18 pts, 10 REB — timely scoring off the weak side and solid board work with 4 on the glass
• Caleb Asberry: 19 pts, 9 AST — elite playmaking and breaking of pressure when the Rams pressed, his 75% from the floor set the high mark for the squad
• Tukaha Cooper: 16 pts (3/5 3PT) — a slow start gave way to a streaking finish, as he bounced back from an 0-fer in the previous game and he was the only Shark not to commit a turnover
• Sam Timmins 11 pts, 5 REB, 3 AST, 3 BLK -
• Inger: Combined 16 pts, 9 REB, 4 AST, 3 BLK, 4 made 3PFG - Timely shooting and a big effort on the interior from Inger as the duo were the only Sharks to see the court

Semi Final Highlights

• FG%: 53% (41/76)
• Assists: 22
• Rebounds: 53 (16 offensive)
• Turnovers: 19 (improved from Elimination Final)
• Fast Break Points: 18 — transition game was key

How they did it?

Composed from the opening tip of the Semi, they attacked the Rams full court pressure early and often, turning their opponents aggressiveness into points. The Cowles cauldron proved no challenge for a team that has now won 9 straight. 

• Elite Frontcourt: Allick & Boone have dominated the glass and scoring inside.
• Playmaking: Asberry has 19 assists across two games.
• Shooting Efficiency: 60% FG vs Tuatara, 53% vs Rams.
• Defensive Rebounding: 39 vs Tuatara, 37 vs Rams, limiting second chances.
• Momentum: Two convincing wins with double-digit margins.

The Grand Final Player Matchups

Hyrum Harris vs Josiah Allick - Defensive Player of the Year up against the MVP

Matchup Outlook: Allick is a non-stop worker , but may have met his kinetic match in Harris, who was built to neutralise stars. Expect a physical, high-IQ battle that could decide the game.

Nick Muszynski vs Sam Timmins -  The Battle of the Bigs

Timmins is a physical anchor for Southland. His rebounding and shot-blocking are vital to the Sharks’ interior defense and his post scoring has been efficient when they work him the ball. Muszynski will be tasked with defending Timmins 1 on 1, a formidable challenge. 

Matchup Outlook: Muszynski’s efficiency is his edge, but Timmins’ physicality and experience could disrupt him and help Southland control the tempo.

Jordan Ngatai vs Keylan Boone -The Wing Snipers

Boone was one of the league’s most explosive scorers and displayed elite shooting and rebounding from the wing. He has shown patients as a second side option, but can easily take over a game given the opportunity.

Matchup Outlook: Boone has the edge on the stats and with the length, but Ngatai’s experience, defensive discipline and strength could limit his counterparts impact in key moments.

Izayah Le’Afa vs Caleb Asberry

Playmaker & Perimeter Pressure

Asberry was the Sharks’ engine, creating advantage for himself and his teammates with his penetration and elite size for a guard. He has played his best basketball down the stretch and has the confidence to go with it. 

Le'afa had been on a tear, with 14 straight double figure games and coming off a season high 32, before a 2 point outing in the semi. Despite the tough night from the floor he still influenced the game defensively and as a facilitator. In the final he'll need to be at his peak defensively to slow down Asberry.

Matchup Outlook: Asberry is dynamic, but Le’Afa’s physical defense (with a side of Aaron Bruce) will interrupt his flow, while the  shooting give the Saints a potent backcourt duo capable of disrupting him while having heavy impact on the offensive end.

The Benches

Wellington Saints: 

• Shaun Bruce (PPG: 16.6, 3PT%: 49%, AST/TO : 3.3), Sam Gold (PPG: 4.5, RPG: 3.4),  Kazlo Evans Jr (PPG: 3.4, 3PT%: 42%, AST/TO: 1.2), Rangimarie Dougall-Mita (3PT%: 33%)

  • Roles: Shooting, Size and hustle all come off the bench
  • Impact: Bruce is starter quality and will soak up most of the minutes while bringing  playmaking and poise, while Gold and the extended crew will be ready to get the shoulder tap if needed

Southland Sharks Sharks:

• Alonzo Burton (PPG: 10.3,  3PT%: 42%), Brayden Inger (PPG: 6.1, RPG: 4.7)

  • Roles: Shooting, ball handling and Size
  • Impact: Burton is a proven scorer who can bring instant offense off the bench. Inger gives a bit of size and additional floor spacing, and is the in case of emergency if either big is in foul trouble

Team Season Stats Comparison