NZNBL 2014 Round 11: League leading Hawks shut out contenders with OT victory
Round 11 of the NZNBL took place between Wednesday 11 June 2014 and Sunday 15 June 2014.
James Blond Supercity Rangers 97-88 The Good Home Mountainairs
The Supercity Rangers hitch another win off the back of a strong performance from mid-season signing Jason Cadee who has become a cult hero for the Rangers.
Cadee (29 points) was also paced by teammate Tohi Smith-Milner who had a career high 27 points. The youngster shot 71% (10-14) from the field in 33 minutes which included a pair of blocks. Duane Bailey was big on the glass, as he provided a double double with 16 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.
For the ‘Airs, it was once again Suleiman Braimoh who had a team high 27 points to go along with 10 rebounds and five assists. Aaron Bailey-Nowell scored 17 points and 10 rebounds, however it was the fact the team gave up 52 points in the paint which killed the game.
The Good Home Mountainairs 89-90 OceanaGold Nuggets
An extremely entertaining final quarter saw the Otago Nuggets grab a healthy away victory against formidable opponents with a one point win on Friday night.
Trailing by seven at half time, the Nuggets bounced back on the road in the second half with Warren Carter’s hot hand to score 30 points and record four blocks. Teammates Brandon Bowdry (18 points, 5 rebounds) and Mark Dickel (8 points, 14 assists) were the sideshows to Carter, who was simply un-guardable in the second half.
The ‘Airs, who fell agonisingly short were led by none other than Suleiman Braimoh who scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, although took 25 shots to get there. Brad Anderson was surprising with 28 points and five rebounds, while Aaron Bailey-Nowell recorded a double double with 16 points and 15 rebounds.
Pacific Jewellers Saints 99-82 Canterbury Rams
Standout performances from a variety of Wellington Saints players have produced the goods for the team that is fighting for a place in the playoffs.
Corey Webster led the team in scoring with 27 points, Brendon Bowman double doubled with 19 points and 11 rebounds, B.J. Anthony (18 points) and Dion Prewster (15 points) were both efficient, while Lindsay Tait (8 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists) had a near triple double.
The Rams on the other hand certainly weren’t short of their own firepower, with Matthew Rogers (29 points) and Richie Edwards (26 points) sharing the scoring role, while Jeremy Kench had a night out with 12 points, five rebounds, 11 assists and six steals.
Fico Finance Giants 108-79 OceanaGold Nuggets
A one-sided affair has resulted in the Nelson Giants dispatching the Otago Nuggets in a game that was basically over after ten minutes.
A 36-16 opening quarter by the home side saw the margin quickly escape out of the hands of Otago and they really couldn’t catch up at all. Another dominant third quarter saw the lead stretch to thirty and from there the scraps were playing.
Josh Pace had himself an outing with 30 points and 10 rebounds, while Jamal Boykin joined in with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Phill Jones chimed in with 17 of his own, while Mika Vukona found his feet again in NZ with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Warren Carter played all forty minutes for 29 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Brandon Bowdry had 24 and seven rebounds and Mark Dickel had 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in what was a tired performance by the whole team.
James Blond Supercity Rangers 97-94 Zerofees Sharks
Big time breakout star Jason Cadee has continued his brilliant form in the NZNBL with another 25+ point game, this time a 26 point outing to score a three point win over the Southland Sharks.
Cadee was joined by Tohi Milner-Smith (22 points), Duane Bailey (17 points, 12 rebounds) and Dylan Boucher (10 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists) who played vital parts in the comeback win. The Rangers started poorly, down 14 at the first break, however fought back quickly to only be down by one at half time.
Credit: Photo Credit: Monica Toretto - Southland Sharks photographer
Kevin Braswell shot the lights out again for Southland with 36 points, however his shot jack offence took him 35 shots to get there. Brian Conklin was much more efficient with 24 points and nine rebounds who was one of the best for the Sharks.
Breakers Manawatu Jets 88-84 IMS Payroll Hawks
A brilliant effort from Paul Jones (29 points, 6 rebounds) has seen the Manawatu Jets fight out a four point win against the league leaders Hawke’s Bay.
In what was a tight contest for the full forty minutes, Captain Nick Horvath stepped up to the plate with 13 points and 15 minutes, while Brandon Jenkins had 14 points, four rebounds and six assists.
Hawke’s Bay were led by three of their starters, with not much else coming off the bench. Everard Bartlett (20 points) led the scoring, Dennis Scott (18 points, 9 rebounds) and Kareem Johnson (12 points, 10 rebounds) played big parts in the narrow loss.
IMS Payroll Hawks 94-89 OT Zerofees Sharks
The league leaders were not willing to finish with an empty weekend after two games so they were pushed to the brink to get past a gallant Southland Sharks outfit.
Everard Bartlett (29 points) and Jarrod Kenny (21 points, 5 assists) were the main scorers for the Hawks, with Alexander, Scott, Jones and Johnson all playing minor roles, showing that a really good team performance succeeds.
For the Sharks it was more of the same as Kevin Braswell struggled from the field to score 20 points on 21 shots. This time it was Luke Martin (25 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists), Brian Conklin (20 points, 8 rebounds) and Tai Wesley (18 points, 10 rebounds) to pick up the slack, however just couldn’t pull back enough.
Advice First Pistons 82-86 OT Canterbury Rams
Another overtime victory has come at the expense of the Waikato Pistons this weekend; with the struggling Canterbury Rams score a rare road victory.
Matthew Rogers was unbelievable with 33 points and six rebounds, shooting 7-10 from downtown. Ethan Rusbatch (17 points, 6 rebounds) and Marcel Jones (16 points, 8 rebounds) were dynamite helping get Rogers open for the brilliant long range display. Captain Jeremy Kench had a near triple double with 13 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.
For the Pistons, Akeem Wright had 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Corin Henry (17 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) and Casey Frank (17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals) were very good in different areas of the game, highlighted by Frank’s five steals.
For more information regarding the NZNBL, please visit their website here.