Sharks on rise in NBL
The Southland Sharks look a serious threat for the National Basketball League title.
Since an upset home loss to the Canterbury Rams on June 15, Southland have produced their best basketball. They went 2-0 on their round 11 road doubleheader and have hit top form at exactly the right point in the season.
Southland dispatched the struggling Super City Rangers 116-104 in Auckland on Thursday and then delivered a statement victory 24 hours later.
The Sharks handed the second placed Nelson Giants a rare home loss at the Trafalgar Centre 103-95 to improve to 10-3 on the season.
Southland have the deepest squad in the league and their balanced scoring attack and production off the bench was critical in their wins.
Australian point guard Jarrad Weeks was influential for the Sharks with 23 points and 10 assists against the Rangers. He narrowly missed a double-double against the Giants, contributing 18 points and nine assists.
The cream is very much rising to the top as the business end of the season approaches.
The two-time defending champion Wellington Saints snuck past Canterbury 94-92 on Tuesday. Sparked by 38 points on 11-18 shooting from American guard LJ Peak, the Saints had far too much quality for the Manawatu¯ Jets on Saturday, prevailing 113-93.
American duo Daishon Knight and Kuran Iverson paced the Jets as they have all season, both pouring in 30 points.
Nelson bounced back from their loss to Southland, overcoming Canterbury 102-91 in Christchurch on Saturday.
Tall Black Finn Delany was outstanding for the Giants with a game-high 30 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists.
Nelson were in charge 53-37 at halftime and extended their lead out to 19 (76-57) by the end of the third quarter.
US swingman Ray Cowels, who played for the Giants in 2016, top scored on debut for the Rams with 19 points, while also grabbing six rebounds.
Cowels is a short-term import replacement for Xavier Thames, who has returned to the US for his wedding.
The Bay Hawks capitalised on Canterbury’s loss, thumping Super City 113-86, to jump ahead of the Rams into fourth spot.
Dion Prewster and Ethan Rusbatch were standouts for the Hawks combining for 48 points.
The Hawks have a 7-6 record, while Canterbury drop back to 7-7 after their third straight loss.
Wellington and Taranaki complete the round playing Sunday night (7pm start) in New Plymouth.