Hawks vs Giants - Thursday June 13 @ 7:35pm
Broadcast: live on SKY Sports and Prime TV from 7:30pm
Game Preview
Are the Giants out of the Final 4 race? Are we all said and done? Or is the flame still flickering after last week’s drought-breaking win? What we do know is if the Giants somehow manage to upset the Hawks in this week’s dose of Thursday Night Lights, just maybe that belief will return and the Final 4 flame will flicker a little brighter. The Hawks have continued crushing teams of late, the last two to be steamrolled were the Airs and Jets, though in both games it’s fair to say the Hawks were a bit slow out of the blocks. Take that into account in this clash given the best quarter for the Giants this season has been the first, so perhaps the visitors can force a real contest over the opening period. Question is, even if they do get off to a flying start, will they be able to hold off the Hawks for a full 40 minutes? With Bowman, Singler and Rusbatch all on fire right now the Hawks may be in a position to keep resting Kickert. but the star import has been selected to play. For the Giants a win will only come if somehow Jett, Vague and Grida can all fire at the same time, while some added points from Harrison will help. As it was last week, so it is again this week – it’s the last roll of the dice for the Giants, every game is a final, which might be exactly how they like it.
HAWKS
Starting 5
6. Jarrod Kenny (guard)
15. Brandon Bowman (forward)
12. Ethan Rusbatch (guard)
25. EJ Singler (forward)
14. Daniel Kickert (forward)
Bench
3. Nick Fee (guard)
5. Everard Bartlett (guard)
13. Dion Prewster (guard)
7. Darryl Jones (forward)
11. Jamal Mikaio (forward)
9. James Levings (guard)
21. Geoff Heather (forward)
Coach: Zico Coronel
Assistant: Morgan Maskell
Assistant: Rob Hartley
Manager: Jordan Wise
Physio: Colin Tutchen
From The Coach – Zico Coronel
Like a greyhound chasing the lure we continue to try to catch our own potential. This pursuit will continue until the season concludes. This week’s trainings and the game versus Nelson will aid us in this endeavour. Hopefully the Hawke’s Bay fans will turn out in large numbers and the game will be entertaining.
GIANTS
Starting 5
2. Jordair Jett (guard)
11. Daniel Grida (guard)
24. Tyrell Harrison (centre)
25. Rhys Vague (forward)
10. Samuel Dempster (forward)
Bench
6. Ali Granger (guard)
9. Tom Ingham (guard)
26. Bronson Beri (forward)
55. Kruz Perrott-Hunt (guard)
14. Mika Vukona (forward)
Coach: Mike Fitchett
Assistant: Phill Jones
Manager: Andrew Stevens
Physio: Ashlee Lusty
From The Coach – Mike Fitchett
Hawkes Bay have been playing great basketball all season, and are very difficult to contain with great shooters across all positions. We are looking forward to the challenge, and hoping to come away with our first road win.
Rangers vs Giants - Friday June 14 @ 7pm
Game Preview
It’s been a month since the Rangers finished with a larger number than their opponents on the scoreboard, but this week they have the opportunity to put the Giant’s Final 4 chances to bed. The pair played each other in R4 and the Giants cruised home by close to 20 points. However, there’s been a lot of basketball played between then and now, with only two wins being mustered between the two of them in that time. The Rangers have been a one-man band the past two rounds and it doesn’t look like that will change for the remainder of the season. Should the Rangers local cohort step their game up, they may cause some disruptions to the positioning of the competition’s best. Friday is a must-win for the Giants, but the same can be said for their last four games. They will still be recovering from the previous night’s game against the Hawks when they take the court to play the Rangers, but nothing will stop them from throwing the kitchen sink.
RANGERS
Starting 5
1. Tim Quarterman (guard)
9. Lesae Coe (guard)
13. Mikaere Watene (guard/forward)
55. Venky Jois (forward)
32. Nnanna Egwu (forward)
Bench
5. Randall Bishop (guard)
19. Denhym Brooke (forward)
20. Scott Telfer (forward)
6. Jaylen Gerrand (guard)
46. Reuben Fitzgerald (guard)
15. Nick Barrow (forward) *Questionable
8. Nick Brophy (guard)
Coach: Jeff Green
Assistant: Anthony Keung
Assistant: Greg Elliott
Manager: Auatua Pamatatau
From The Coach – Jeff Green
This week sees the third game where we play the Giants this season and we play them at home. I think in the last few games we have shown as a team that we can play some good basketball and I expect a positive result from this weeks game. I think defensively and offensively we are starting to get things going in the right direction for this group.
GIANTS
Starting 5
2. Jordair Jett (guard)
11. Daniel Grida (guard)
24. Tyrell Harrison (centre)
25. Rhys Vague (forward)
10. Samuel Dempster (forward)
Bench
6. Ali Granger (guard)
9. Tom Ingham (guard)
26. Bronson Beri (forward)
55. Kruz Perrott-Hunt (guard)
14. Mika Vukona (forward)
Coach: Mike Fitchett
Assistant: Phill Jones
Manager: Andrew Stevens
Physio: Ashlee Lusty
From The Coach – Mike Fitchett
After playing Supercity in Nelson last week each team has good knowledge of the other. We have not performed particularly well in the second game of double headers so far, so we are hoping to improve this this week.
Rams vs Huskies - Friday June 14 @ Cowles Stadium at 7pm
Broadcast: live on SKY (pop-up), stuff.co.nz, TribeSports App, pickandroll.com.au
RAMS
Starting 5
4. Emmett Naar (guard)
3. Cam Gliddon (guard)
25. Tony Tolovae (guard)
17. Isaiah Wilkins (forward)
44. Mike Karena (forward)
Bench
1. Luke Aston (guard)
5. Taylor Britt (guard)
10. Sam Smith (guard)
30. Toby Gillooly (guard)
9. Jonathan Janssen (forward)
45. Brent Fisher (forward)
24. Alex Talma (forward)
Coach: Mick Downer
Assistant: Terry Brunel
Assistant: Piet Van Hasselt
Manager: Raewyn Britt
Physio: Lidia Belles
From The Coach – Mick Downer
With our final regular season match up against the Huskies and the third instalment of our series both teams will be looking to finish off the series on a high. Obviously the season is at stake for our visitors with games against ourselves and then Southland the following night, whereas we will be desperate to play an improved game at home for our faithful fans at the Cauldron. Last week in Tasmania I think both teams would admit our second game was a grind and we will both be searching for ways to free up the game a little offensively. We have been happy with our aggressive and disciplined approach at the defensive end and this needs to be the case in Friday’s game, however we will look to capitalize at the other end of the floor with a more up-tempo and attacking style of play. It should be a hard fought contest and one for the fans to enjoy.
HUSKIES
Starting 5
3. Tre Nichols (guard)
6. Mason Bragg (guard)
23. Lochlan Cummings (guard)
22. Jalen Billups (forward)
62. Marcel Jones (forward)
Bench
14. Jordan Vandenburg (centre)
8. Bryan Michaels (guard)
12. Tiri Masunda (guard)
Coach: Anthony Stewart
Assistant: Corey Davie
Assistant: Dwain Davie
Manager: Andrew Downie
Physio: Revive Health
From The Coach – Anthony Stewart
Failed to provide a comment.
Airs vs Saints - Saturday June 15 @ 7pm
Game Preview
This is the last time these two will see each other this season and is another opportunity for the Airs to give their youth experience against the best. Taranaki is out of the playoff race and that means they’re looking for ways to better themselves for 2020. A highlight among the many lowlights for them has been the flashes of potential shown by their young crop, who will reap the benefits in the long-run when tasked with playing International representatives. There’s always a risk of the score blowing out, but experiences like these are invaluable. Paul Henare can’t have been happy with how poorly his men shot the ball last week and he’ll want them to make amends as they build for the Final 4. Tom Abercrombie had his moments in his debut against the same opposition, but he too will want better from himself and his team. Expect the Tall Black and co to be a different animal than what showed face last Thursday.
AIRS
Starting 5
14. Alonzo Burton (guard)
7. Houston O’Riley (guard)
5. Xavier Shaw (forward)
21. Chris Early (forward)
20. Thane O’Leary (forward)
Bench
3. Quintin Bailey (forward)
26. Morgan Trott (forward)
1. Mitch Dance (forward)
2. Oscar Roberston (guard)
10. Dane Brooks (guard)
6. Justin Cousin (guard)
8. Derone Raukawa (guard)
Coach: David Bublitz
Assistant: Andrew Green
Manager: Bevan Seddon
From The Coach – David Bublitz
Defensive breakdowns and an inability to put the ball in the cup on Saturday was a dissappointing way to finsih our trip to the Saints and the Jets in the weekend. he Saints will be a different beast this weekend and i am sure they will be looking to put things right. Our team will need to be locked in to compete with this very talented group they have put together.
SAINTS
Starting 5
55. Shae Ili (guard)
11. Jordan Ngatai (guard/forward)
7. Reuben Te Rangi (forward)
2. Nick Kay (forward)
14. Rob Loe (centre)
Bench
15. Leon Henry (forward)
3. Sunday Dech (guard)
13. Anzac Rissetto (centre)
9. Theo Johnson (forward)
10. Thomas Abercrombie (forward)
Coach: Paul Henare
Assistant: Kenny McFadden
Assistant: Troy McLean
Manager: Phil Hartley
Physio: Jamie Beleski
From The Coach – Paul Henare
Taranaki gave us a hell of a game in Wellington. With Raukawa and Burton back in the lineup they will be confident stepping out on the floor. Its been a great week so far on the practice floor with our whole team healthy and pushing each other daily so I look forward to a positive response when we hit the court in New Plymouth.
Sharks vs Huskies - Saturday June 15 @ 7pm
Broadcast: live on SKY (pop-up), stuff.co.nz, TribeSports App, pickandroll.com.au
Game Preview
Arguably the most important game of the regular season, everything is on the line for both the Sharks and the Huskies. Saturday night sees the fourth and fifth-placed teams, who’re only separated by one win, play for the final playoff spot at the business end of the season. It’s been an up and down season for the Sharks, who’ve only recently turned their form around. It’s obvious that they need Jarred Weeks and Todd Blanchfield in a groove to have any chance this weekend, but they’ll also need fellow import Roberto Nelson to put together a decent performance not only this week but also going forward. As for the Huskies, last week they were sitting pretty on the same amount of wins as their Southland foes but with a game in hand and two home fixtures. Fast forward seven days and they’re now two points behind the Sharks and are in desperate need of a win. They need at least one win from their two games in R10 (Rams on Friday), otherwise, they can all but kiss goodbye flights to Christchurch in July.
SHARKS
Starting 5
35. Alex Pledger (centre)
97. Jarrad Weeks (guard)
22. Hyrum Harris (guard/forward)
24 . Todd Blanchfield (guard)
15. Tom Vodanovich (forward)
Bench
4. Roberto Nelson (guard)
11. Dom Kelman-Poto (forward)
14. Tai Wynyard (centre)
25. Andrew Wheeler (guard)
Coach: Judd Flavell
Assistant: Leyton Haddleton
Manager: Troy Paulin
From The Coach - Judd Flavell
This game v Huskies looms as a crunch game for us in our playoff hopes. We have had a great week training wise, working on all areas but it was pleasing to see the improvement in our defence in our last game. We want to build on this this week but we know that the Huskies will be a strong challenge on our home court. There will be some great individual and entertaining match ups.
HUSKIES
Starting 5
3. Tre Nichols (guard)
6. Mason Bragg (guard)
23. Lochlan Cummings (guard)
22. Jalen Billups (forward)
62. Marcel Jones (forward)
Bench
14. Jordan Vandenburg (centre)
8. Bryan Michaels (guard)
12. Tiri Masunda (guard)
Coach: Anthony Stewart
Assistant: Corey Davie
Assistant: Dwain Davie
Manager: Andrew Downie
Physio: Revive Health
From The Coach – Anthony Stewart
Failed to provide a comment.
Saints vs Jets - Sunday June 16 @ 5pm
Broadcast: live on SKY (pop-up), stuff.co.nz, TribeSports App, pickandroll.com.au
Game Preview
The Saints play the Jets at home in their second game of a back-to-back and will be wary of the threat Tim McTamney’s side beckons. Those following the Sal’s NBL will have chalked this weekend up as two wins for the undefeated competition favourites, but what can’t be forgotten is just how close the last encounter between the two was in R5. The addition of Abercrombie means the Saints now run eight-deep and only adds to their immense ability on both sides of the ball. If the Jets were ever going to one-up their southern neighbours, this Sunday’s game is their best opportunity. This is their only fixture in R10 and they’re only a week removed from a decisive win over the Airs. If their three-headed monster in Wally Ellenson, Kuran Iverson and Daishon Knight hit the ground running and the young core finds some rhythm, we could be in for another close encounter. Or, even better, the upset of the season.
SAINTS
Starting 5
55. Shae Ili (guard)
11. Jordan Ngatai (guard/forward)
7. Reuben Te Rangi (forward)
2. Nick Kay (forward)
14. Rob Loe (centre)
Bench
15. Leon Henry (forward)
3. Sunday Dech (guard)
13. Anzac Rissetto (centre)
9. Theo Johnson (forward)
10. Thomas Abercrombie (forward)
8. Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (guard)
6. Finn McClure (guard)
Coach: Paul Henare
Assistant: Kenny McFadden
Assistant: Troy McLean
Manager: Phil Hartley
Physio: Jamie Beleski
From The Coach – Paul Henare
Another good challenge vs the Jets coming off the plane from New Plymouth to back up against a very talented side. Their record does not reflect how competitive they have been and I’m expecting no different on Sunday. We will need all of our guys to step up for us to walk away with a win.
JETS
Starting 5
10. Jackson Stubbins (guard)
40. Daishon Knight (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)
4. Haize Walker (guard)
12. Rangimarie Mita (guard)
Coach: Tim McTamney
Assistant: Terry Tanoa
Assistant: Josh Reeves
Manager: Jason Pearn
From The Coach – Tim McTamney
It was certainly good to be on the positive side of the ledger following our win over the Airs last Saturday. It was a hard-fought encounter and we did enough to eke out a scrappy result. Playing the Hawks the following afternoon was a challenging exercise but we put together some good basketball and only a fourth quarter blitz and our own tiring legs detracted from a good performance. We hope to build on last weekend's performances when we take on the unbeaten Saints this Sunday. We enjoy the 'David vs Goliath' nature of these type of games, they are always enjoyable experiences.
