RAMS vs GIANTS - THURSDAY / COWLES STADIUM @ 7:35PM
Game Preview
A huge game for Thursday Night Lights with the Rams (3rd) hosting the Giants (2nd). The visitors have enjoyed four successive games at home and finally hit the road for the first time this season, with games against the Rams and Sharks in the space of 24 hours. No doubt the Giants will look to the continued good form of Rhys Vague, who is proving to be one of the league’s very best inside-outside forwards, while the depth of the visitors is increasing by the week with Ali Granger, Bronson Beri and Tom Ingham starting to contribute consistent numbers. For the Rams, there was a lot to like about their win over the Hawks last week. Coach Downer has his team believing in an up-tempo game and when they are running hard the Rams are very hard to stop. Mike Karena continues to be a force around the rim, Tony Tolovae is looking very settled and Cam Gliddon is starting to become the offensive danger we all expected him to be. The Rams will deservedly start favourites at Cowles Stadium, which again should be rocking like last week, but don’t write of the Giants and their ability to consistently ‘hang’ in the contest. Either way, this will be a very close game.
RAMS
Starting 5
4. Emmett Naar (guard)
3. Cam Gliddon (guard)
25. Tony Tolovae (guard)
17. Isaiah Wilkins (forward)
44. Mike Karena (forward)
Bench
5. Taylor Britt (guard)
10. Sam Smith (guard)
30. Toby Gillooly (guard)
9. Jonathan Janssen (forward)
45. Brent Fisher (forward)
24. Alex Talma (forward)
1. Luke Aston (guard)
Coach: Mick Downer
Assistant: Terry Brunel
Assistant: Piet Van Hasselt
Manager: Raewyn Britt
Physio: Lidia Belles
From The Coach – Mick Downer
We look forward to a fresh challenge this week as we welcome the Nelson Giants to the Cowles Cauldron in what should be another exciting game for the Rams faithful. Although we came away with the result in our pre-season trip to Blenheim against the Giants, that game doesn’t amount to much when it comes to the current state of play with both teams adding players to their roster since that game. Both teams are playing good basketball and the fans should be treated to a game which will feature a balance of good interior targets, three point shooters and guys who can get to the rim.
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)
Coach: Mike Fitchett
Assistant: Phil Jones
Manager: Andrew Stevens
Physio: Ashlee Lusty
From The Coach – Mike Fitchett
After a good home-stand to start the season we finally have the chance to hit the road. We come up against two quality sides this week, so will have be right on top of our game. We are looking forward to the challenge.
SHARKS vs GIANTS - FRIDAY / ILT SOUTHLAND STADIUM @ 7PM
Game Preview
On the back of a loss to the Jets last week, and the tough schedule both of these teams face this round, this game takes on a whole new meaning. The Sharks will be seething after dropping a game on the road to the Jets for the second season running, plus they look banged up and unsettled right now with another restricted player change expected for this weekend (Roberto Nelson). The Giants come to town off a game the previous night in Canterbury and regardless of that result the visitors will give this one their all. It’s very hard to win in Invercargill, but the Sharks are a bit shaky right now and that could open the door a little for the workmanlike Giants. Jarrad Weeks torched the Airs last week and will be up for the challenge on Jordair Jett here, Tyrell Harrison will get the tough job on Alex Pledger, while the job of stopping Rhys Vague could be given to Tom Vodanovich. These two teams are meeting for the second time this season, the earlier meeting at Nelson going the way of the Sharks 100-91 after the Giants failed to hit shots late. On that night, the experience of the Sharks completed what was a very tough win. Quality clash this one with the Sharks (4th) needing a bounce-back performance over the Giants (2nd).
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
23. Jeremy Kendle (guard) *Questionable
11. Dom Kelman-Poto (forward)
14. Tai Wynyard (centre)
25. Andrew Wheeler (guard)
34. Connor Coll (forward)
2. Tom Cowie (guard)
45. Tinashe Matambanadzo (guard)
Coach: Judd Flavell
Assistant: Leyton Haddleton
Manager: Troy Paulin
Physio: Hayden Sproat
From The Coach – Judd Flavell
This game will be a bit of a bounce back game for us after last weekend’s tough road trip. We definitely need to step up and show more resilience on the defensive end and that will be one of our focusses. Nelson have some real weapons in their team and will be a great test for us but it’s great to back on our home court again after a month of away trips.
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)
7. Riley Bensemann (guard)
9. Tom Ingham (guard)
22. Tyler Marsh (guard)
26. Bronson Beri (forward)
42. Tysxun Aiolupotea (guard)
55. Kruz Perrott-Hunt (guard)
Coach: Mike Fitchett
Assistant: Phil Jones
Manager: Andrew Stevens
Physio: Ashlee Lusty
From The Coach – Mike Fitchett
After a good home-stand to start the season we finally have the chance to hit the road. We come up against two quality sides this week, so will have be right on top of our game. We are looking forward to the challenge.
JETS vs SAINTS - SATURDAY / SPRINGVALE STADIUM @ 7PM
Game Preview
The Jets were last week’s giant killers and after celebrating a memorable win against the Sharks they now get the chance to take down another high-flyer when the Wellington Saints come to visit them. The Saints survived a big scare down in Tasmania last time out and now sit 5-0 and well clear of the pack, however with last week’s close call will come plenty of areas to work on so expect them to be pumped up for this clash. Wally Ellenson turned in a memorable performance for the Jets against the Sharks and will no doubt relish the chance to go against the best here, while Daishon Knight and Kuren Iverson also look to be hitting their stride. The depth of the Jets will be the big question mark against the Saints and if rotations are forced too heavily on the home team they might be in trouble. For the Saints, the form of both Shea Ili and Nick Kay has been sublime – if they both get off the hook here they will be extremely hard to limit. A good test for Knight defensively against Ili, while whoever from the Saints goes to Ellenson will have a real test on their hands. Can the Jets cause two upsets in as many weeks? Now that they have a taste for winning you know they will come to play.
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)
8. Phil Borota (guard)
7. Tia Temata-Frost (forward)
Coach: Tim McTamney
Assistant: Terry Tanoa
Manager: Jason Pearn
From The Coach – Tim McTamney
We simply ask of ourselves to better every time we take the court. Our improved performances hadn't resulted in wins until our win last week over defending champions, the Southland Sharks. Obviously we are happy with pulling off an upset win, although it has merely hinted at the potential this young team possesses. Now that our line-up is settled and we are getting consistent training time with a full squad we hope we can take further strides. The Wellington Saints provide our greatest challenge yet. After their below-par performance last weekend, and our own well publicised improvement, I am sure they will be intent on showing they are every bit as good as advertised. Our young guys are relishing the opportunity to prove themselves against the best.
SAINTS
Starting 5
55. Shea 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)
21. James Cawthorn (guard)
8. Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (guard)
33. Jacob Walsh (guard)
Coach: Paul Henare
Assistant: Kenny McFadden
Assistant: Troy McLean
Manager: Phil Hartley
Physio: Jamie Beleski
From The Coach – Paul Henare
The Jets had a great win against the Sharks so their confidence will be riding high. They have a lot of talent and can really score the ball so we will have to be our best defensively. It'll be another good test for us on the road, one that our team is really looking forward to.
HAWKS vs AIRS - SATURDAY / PETTIGREW GREEN ARENA @ 7PM
Game Preview
The Hawks will be hoping to bounce back quickly after a loss in Christchurch last round and they’ll get a chance to do that against an Airs team that is trying hard to find its identity right now. Chris Early delivered plenty for the Airs last week, including nine triples, but he needs some consistent help if they hope to get the job done here. Getting PG Derone Raukawa back from injury would help as well. These two teams met in R3 and on that afternoon it was a 97-88 win to the Hawks (in Taranaki). Angus Brandt has left the building after his 2-game cameo, which has hopefully given injured import Daniel Kickert an opportunity to heal – Kickert has been named as non-active, but could come in given four Hawks have been listed as questionable. In another change for the Hawks (as expected), Brandon Bowman steps in this week to replace Shaquille Thomas, who has been de-registered. If the home team is at full strength they will be extremely hard to beat, but as we saw last week with the Jets against the Sharks, anything is possible. Can the Airs get win number one?
HAWKS
Starting 5
6. Jarrod Kenny (guard)
13. Dion Prewster (guard)
12. Ethan Rusbatch (guard)
25. EJ Singler (forward)
7. Darryl Jones (forward)
Bench
3. Nick Fee (guard)
5. Everard Bartlett (guard)
11. Jamal Mikaio (forward)
21. Geoff Heather (forward) *Questionable
18. Clifton Bush III (forward) *Questionable
9. James Levings (guard *Questionable
15. Brandon Bowman (forward) *Questionable
Coach: Zico Coronel
Assistant: Morgan Maskell
Assistant: Rob Hartley
Manager: Jordan Wise
Physio: Colin Tutchen
From The Coach – Zico Coronel
We’re very excited to be making progress towards having the playing roster and the team we envisioned when we set out on this 2019 Sal’s NBL campaign. A lot of work has been done off court and now we can accelerate our progress on court. Taranaki fought hard against us in New Plymouth as is customary for them. They’ve had their fair share of adversity too, however Coach Dave Bublitz has done a great job galvanising their group and they’ll be a tough proposition on Saturday.
AIRS
Starting 5
14. Alonzo Burton (guard)
7. Houston O’Riley (guard)
5. Xavier Shaw (forward)
21. Chris Early (forward)
22. Aaron Bailey-Nowell (forward)
Bench
22. Latrell Teka-Wall (guard)
6. Justin Cousin (guard)
2. Oscar Roberston (guard)
10. Dane Brooks (guard)
8. Derone Raukawa (guard)
20. Thane O’Leary (forward)
26. Morgan Trott (forward)
Coach: David Bublitz
Assistant: Andrew Green
Assistant: Shay Haira
Manager: Bevan Seddon
Physio: Mick McBeth
From The Coach – David Bublitz
Last week we came up against an organised Southland Sharks outfit who through some intense pressure at the offensive end caused us, for periods of the game, to go away from our defensive rules, which ultimately lead to holes that they were able to exploit. It is important this weekend in our first road trip double header that we go back to our team rules and combine that with an improved physical effort.
RANGERS vs AIRS - SUNDAY / ASB STADIUM TE AWAMUTU @ 3PM
Game Preview
The Rangers will be very happy to be at home after what can only be described as a painful fortnight on the road, not helped by some drawn out travel that was beyond their control. Nonetheless, the Rangers will like their chances here against the winless Airs, especially with the form star guard Tim Quarterman currently finds himself in. Though the Rangers slipped to the Giants last week, Quarterman turned in a solo effort that even had the Nelson fans applauding him. The visitors have had an interesting week with a few changes that will either bring immediate success or push them a step back as they try to re-settle. Though yet to win a game, the Airs have played some good basketball in patches and they will be buoyed by the performances of Chris Early and Alonzo Burton last week against the Sharks. PG Derone Raukawa should be back in for this one, which will help with some speed both ways, while Houston O-Riley is on the up and continues to deliver some good parts each game. However, Daniel Gomis and Kevin Foster and both notable omissions. A real opportunity here for both teams. The Rangers need another win to stay in touch with the top 4, while the Airs just need a win to restore some confidence.
RANGERS
Starting 5
1. Tim Quarterman (guard)
4. Daniel Green (guard)
5. Randall Bishop (guard)
55. Venky Jois (forward)
32. Nnanna Egwu (forward)
Bench
8. Nicholas Brophy (guard)
20. Scott Telfer (forward)
9. Lesae Coe (guard)
6. Jaylen Gerrand (guard)
46. Reuben Fitzgerald (guard)
2. Hyrum Hippolite (guard)
Denhym Brooke (forward) *Questionable
Coach: Jeff Green
Assistant: Anthony Keung
Manager: Auatua Pamatatau
From The Coach – Jeff Green
The game vs Taranaki Airs is a must win for us as we are struggling to shoot the ball from deep as a team. The Airs beat us convincingly in pre-season and their outing against the Sharks showed they can compete with anyone in the league on any given day. As a group we are positive and understand this league is tough and you must put the work in to be successful. The last couple of weeks have been tough with our travel schedule but our commitment will be 2nd to none come Sunday. The people of Te Awamutu and Waikato Country Basketball always come out to support us so we look forward to playing in front of a raucous home crowd.
AIRS
Starting 5
14. Alonzo Burton (guard)
7. Houston O’Riley (guard)
5. Xavier Shaw (forward)
21. Chris Early (forward)
22. Aaron Bailey-Nowell (forward)
Bench
22. Latrell Teka-Wall (guard)
6. Justin Cousin (guard)
2. Oscar Roberston (guard)
10. Dane Brooks (guard)
8. Derone Raukawa (guard)
20. Thane O’Leary (forward)
26. Morgan Trott (forward)
Coach: David Bublitz
Assistant: Andrew Green
Assistant: Shay Haira
Manager: Bevan Seddon
Physio: Mick McBeth
From The Coach – David Bublitz
Last week we came up against an organised Southland Sharks outfit who through some intense pressure at the offensive end caused us, for periods of the game, to go away from our defensive rules, which ultimately lead to holes that they were able to exploit. It is important this weekend in our first road trip double header that we go back to our team rules and combine that with an improved physical effort.
HUSKIES vs SHARKS - SUNDAY / THE SILVERDOME @ 5PM (AUS) / 7PM (NZ)
Game Preview
A late Sunday afternoon clash from Launceston that is sure to attract lots of viewers around the dinner table back in NZ. Both teams come in off a loss last week and both certainly had their chances to win, so expect plenty of desperation on display. The Huskies are now at full strength and will be pleased with what they saw from Marcel Jones last week, however for the Sharks there has been plenty of change over the last couple of weeks and it has them looking a little unsettled right now. This clash comes with a number of exciting individual battles, of particular interest will be who Jones and Nichols go to? This is a new venue for the Huskies, so home court advantage may not be as significant as they would have otherwise liked. Add to the mix the fact the Sharks will have played on Friday night in Invercargill, travelled all day Saturday across the ditch, and now have to front up against a team on the rise. It makes for a ripping contest.
HUSKIES
Starting 5
3. Tre Nichols (guard)
6. Mason Bragg (guard)
9. Craig Moller (forward)
22. Jalen Billups (forward)
62. Marcel Jones (forward)
Bench
14. Jordan Vandenburg (centre)
8. Bryan Michaels (guard)
12. Tiri Masunda (guard)
23. Lochlan Cummings (guard)
Coach: Anthony Stewart
Assistant: Corey Davie
Assistant: Dwain Davie
Manager: Andrew Downie
Physio: Revive Health
From The Coach – Anthony Stewart
Excited to be playing again this Sunday. It is the first game at the Silverdome and Northern Tasmania is the heartland of Basketball in Tasmania so we expect a good turnout to watch two quality sides in a quality competition, not seen in Launceston in over 20 years. With another full week of training under our belts and the first week with our full squad together, we are very confident of building on the performance we delivered against The Saints last Saturday. Realistically we had that game in the bag and we let it slip and those errors which cause costly turnovers have been rectified on the training floor this week.
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
11. Dom Kelman-Poto (forward)
14. Tai Wynyard (centre)
23. Jeremy Kendle (guard) *questionable
45. Tinashe Matambanadzo (guard)
Coach: Judd Flavell
Assistant: Leyton Haddleton
Manager: Troy Paulin
From The Coach – Judd Flavell
This is another tough assignment for us having to travel for a full day after playing the night before but we are excited to be playing our first game on Australian soil - The Huskies definitely look to have strengthened up in last couple of weeks and are going to be a really tough team , especially at home . We will be looking to show signs of improvement from previous weeks and get some consistency going .
