Southland Sharks vs Hawke's Bay Hawks - Thursday May 23 @ 7:35pm
Game Preview
A massive home game for the Sharks as they attempt to bounce back from last Sunday’s 45pt hammering at the hands of the Saints. A lot of egos and pride will have been severely dented in that whitewash and no doubt the review process was a thorough one. With that poor showing now behind them the Sharks have a shot at immediate redemption here when the in-form Hawks pay them a visit. With the battle for the top four heating up, the home team needs to quickly regroup and find a win to hold off the likes of the Huskies and Giants, however not for a second will the Hawks roll over for the Sharks. Expect a fierce response by the Sharks, but given the current form of both teams you can’t help but feel the Hawks may keep soaring for the moment. The visitors have won three straight (by plenty) and are averaging 119pts per game since Brandon Bowman joined them over that stretch. The Sharks have become renowned for holding down their fortress so all the pressure is on them in our next instalment of Thursday Night Lights.
Broadcast - live on SKY Sports and Prime TV at 7:30pm
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)
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 vs the Hawks is very important to getting ourselves back in some consistent form . The Hawks are performing very well so far and we are aware that they have multiple threats throughout their roster . Defensively we need to be better and offensively we need to get our confidence back.
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) *Questionable
21. Geoff Heather (forward) *Questionable
Coach: Zico Coronel
Assistant: Morgan Maskell
Assistant: Rob Hartley
Manager: Jordan Wise
Physio: Colin Tutchen
From The Coach – Zico Coronel
Every possession we strive to play better collective basketball than we ever have before. We treat the two imposters, triumph and disaster, just the same. Stick with our processes. We made significant strides in these areas last week. This week is another chance for us to improve.
Canterbury Rams vs Manawatu Jets - Friday May 24 @ 7pm
Game Preview
The Rams have cleaned up the Hawks, Giants and Sharks in their last three games and now face the Jets (twice) and Huskies (3 times) over their next five games. Continuing to show a thirst for hard-nosed defence, teams are struggling to score against the Rams and even though the visiting Jets have very capable scorers in Knight, Iverson and Ellenson, chance are they will be forced into a lot of hard shots here, so their individual and collective decision-making will be highly tested. The Rams are starting to look very settled and if they maintain their strong play over the coming weeks the whole city of Christchurch will start making sure the Final 4 weekend is blocked out for a party to end all parties. The Rams should get the job done in this one.
Broadcast: live on SKY pop-up, Stuff.co.nz, TribeSports App, Pick and Roll (Australia only)
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)
7. Nathan Campbell (forward)
Coach: Mick Downer
Assistant: Terry Brunel
Assistant: Piet Van Hasselt
Manager: Raewyn Britt
Physio: Lidia Belles
From The Coach – Mick Downer
This week we welcome the Jets to the Cowles cauldron. Fans should expect to see an up-tempo game with our local boys facing a great challenge in trying to slow a potent offensive team down. In the past three games the Jets have scored over 100pts against strong opposition. We welcome this challenge as we continue to find ways to improve defensively. Lead by their three imports the Jets will run and gun and play with freedom offensively, we will aim to guard the ball as a unit and contain the ball. Rebounding the basket is always critical in influencing the outcome of games and this will be just as crucial in the contest tonight. Securing the ball and getting out and running against the Jets will be a focus. Enjoy the contest and be loud Rams fans!
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
As a team we were disappointed and annoyed with ourselves in our loss to the Hawks, primarily for failing to continue in our mission of improving every game. We aim to rectify that this weekend by working harder and smarter through this week. This double-header road trip will have special significance for our team manager, Jason Pearn, who is Tasmanian born and bred. We are certain he will enjoy being back among old friends but also know, like the rest of the Manawatu Jets, he is looking forward to the challenges ahead against the Rams and Huskies.
Wellington Saints vs Nelson Giants - Saturday May 25 @ 7pm
Game Preview
The first of two important games for the Giants - will they fall to the Tasmanian travel curse other teams are struggling to deal with? With their season on the line the Giants face the Saints and Airs this round and while they’ll be favoured to take care of business against the Airs (danger game), this outing to Wellington looks more like a free swing. The home team went to another level last week as they made light work of the Rangers and the Sharks, the latter performance one that left most people around the league stunned. With a perfect 8-0 start most are now starting to predict a clean-sweep this season, particularly given the treatment they dished up to last year’s champs last Sunday night. The Giants will need a huge amount go right for them if they hope to win this, and possibly even a lot to go wrong for the Saints. It all sounds highly unlikely - Saints should win.
Broadcast: live on SKY pop-up, Stuff.co.nz, TribeSports App, Pick and Roll (Australia only)
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
Manager: Phil Hartley
Physio: James Beleski
From The Coach – Paul Henare
We know the Giants will be hurting from their last couple of results so one of our challenges is to take away their confidence early on. They have been starting games really well so we will have to be at our best from the tip.
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
Wellington are clearly the form side of the competition, so it will be good to test ourselves against the best. It will be a huge challenge to give Wellington their first loss of the season, but we need to get back into the winners circle, so the motivation for us will be there.
Supercity Rangers vs Hawke's Bay Hawks - Saturday May 25 @ 7pm
Game Preview
The Rangers were humbled twice last round and now have to contend with the free-flowing Hawks, who we all know will likely rack-up a cricket score of shot attempts from long range. Tim Quarterman is enjoying a massive season for the Rangers, but he simply needs more helpers and without them, especially at the defensive end, this looks a contest well beyond the home team. The Hawks are starting to produce the sort of basketball that has people viewing them as a legit title contender. With depth and seemingly great competitive spirit amongst the roster for minutes on court, along with the sheer class of Singler, Kickert and Bowman, the Hawks will look to jump out of the blocks here and show the Rangers little mercy.
RANGERS
Starting 5
1. Tim Quarterman (guard)
4. Daniel Green (guard)
5. Randall Bishop (guard)
55. Venky Jois (forward)
32. Nnanna Egwu (forward)
Bench
9. Lesae Coe (guard)
8. Nicholas Brophy (guard)
20. Scott Telfer (forward)
6. Jaylen Gerrand (guard)
46. Reuben Fitzgerald (guard)
2. Hyrum Hippolite (guard)
15. Nick Barrow (forward)
Coach: Jeff Green
Assistant: Anthony Keung
Manager: Auatua Pamatatau
From The Coach – Jeff Green
After another difficult away trip we fell 0/2 to the Wellington Saints and the bottom of the table the Airs. We went from bad to worse and it’s not getting any easier week to week. We come up against the high flying Hawks, the best offensive team in the league and one of the best shooting teams in the league. The task is not any easier this week. They are coming to our place but I don’t think that makes a difference. For us to even think we are going to win this game we are going to have to play better defence and more importantly we have to find a way to shoot the ball.
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) *Questionable
21. Geoff Heather (forward) *Questionable
Coach: Zico Coronel
Assistant: Morgan Maskell
Assistant: Rob Hartley
Manager: Jordan Wise
Physio: Colin Tutchen
From The Coach – Zico Coronel
It’s been a great challenge for us - 5 games in 14 days, mostly on the road, against some tough opponents - which has brought us closer together and seen as grow as a team. What a tremendous group of guys we have the pleasure of calling a team mate. This Rangers’ encounter represents the fifth game. Given we played them earlier in the year it is another measure of the progress we have made.
Taranaki Mountainairs vs Nelson Giants - Sunday May 26 @ 3pm
Game Preview
Back in action and off to Taranaki, the Giants will fancy their chances far greater when they take on the Airs, but be warned - this is a danger game. With little room for error right now should they want to remain in the race for the top four, the visitors simply cannot afford to head home on the wrong side of the equation against the Airs. Having found some confidence last week against the Rangers, which resulted in their first win of the season, the Airs have a ring in their step and will give this contest a good shake. Derone Raukawa and Dane Brooks look a good guard tandem and might create some headaches, while Chris Early is due for another big game. These two met back in R1 and on that night the Airs pushed the Giants for a long time. Can they do it again and make it two wins in a row?
AIRS
Starting 5
14. Alonzo Burton (guard)
8. Derone Raukawa (guard)
5. Xavier Shaw (forward)
21. Chris Early (forward)
20. Thane O’Leary (forward)
Bench
3. Quintin Bailey (forward)
26. Morgan Trott (forward)
7. Houston O’Riley (guard)
1. Mitch Dance (forward)
2. Oscar Roberston (guard)
10. Dane Brooks (guard)
6. Justin Cousin (guard)
Coach: David Bublitz
Assistant: Andrew Green
Assistant: Shay Haira
Manager: Bean Seddon
Physio: Mick McBeth
From The Coach – David Bublitz
After a really positive 4th qtr in the loss to the Rangers, a really good week of training led to the whole team "locking in" to the style of play that we have been working to instil in the team, and the results on court in the second game against the Rangers were pleasing to see. The level of effort at the defensive was replicated at the offensive end where the team successfully stuck to our plans and got good open looks which where knocked down across the floor. This level of effort and intensity needs to continue this week as we come up against the Nelson Giants. This week again, sticking to our rules, working hard at both ends of the floor and making the extra final pass will go a long way to us getting our next win.
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
The scoreline in our Round 1 win was a little flattering for us, so we know how good this side is. They will be playing with a lot of confidence coming off their first win of the season, so this will be a very tough game for us.
Southern Huskies vs Manawatu Jets - Sunday May 26 @ 3pm (5pm NZ)
Game Preview
The Huskies secured a badly-needed and timely win in the dying seconds last week against Nelson, helping them improve their current home stand to 2-2. If they can get a win here against the dangerous Jets they will go 3-2 at home ahead of heading to NZ for the first time since R2. With Moller, Billups and Nichols all performing well, and Cummings on the rise, the Huskies will start favourites at home, but they will need to be very careful not to underestimate Iverson, Knight and Ellenson. These two teams met back in R2, the first ever game in the Sal’s NBL for the Huskies, and on that night is was the Tasmanians toasting a classic 1pt victory. Both teams have since improved, though for the Jets in particular a lowly ladder position probably doesn’t match their recent improvements. Look for some key match-up here, including Nichols and Knight locking horns, while Moller will probably get the job of trying to restrict the athletic Ellenson. All up a close game is on the cards and like their first meeting this clash could go down to the final few plays. For the Huskies, this is a must-win contest if they hope to stay in touch with the top half of the competition.
Broadcast: live on SKY pop-up, Stuff.co.nz, TribeSports App, Pick and Roll (Australia only)
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
We’re coming off the back of a much needed win so the momentum of that should build and it’ll make this a very exciting encounter. The lads have all been working hard and the nature of the win last week hopefully ignites them to put a few more wins together. If we’re going to make the playoffs that needs to happen. We’re looking forward to having The Jets over and taking them on our own home ground. We’re expecting a big crowd this week and that’ll give us that extra push to need to make it two wins over the visitors.
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
As a team we were disappointed and annoyed with ourselves in our loss to the Hawks, primarily for failing to continue in our mission of improving every game. We aim to rectify that this weekend by working harder and smarter through this week. This double-header road trip will have special significance for our team manager, Jason Pearn, who is Tasmanian born and bred. We are certain he will enjoy being back among old friends but also know, like the rest of the Manawatu Jets, he is looking forward to the challenges ahead.
