Airs youth show positive progression
If the Taranaki Mountain Airs exhibition match against Malaysia showed anything, it was that there’s some exciting young talent coming through the system.
Without the National Basketball League (NBL) pressure on the match last Thursday at New Plymouth’s YMCA, Augusta Mountain Airs coach Trent Adam took the opportunity to give the young players in the squad some valuable minutes.
Not only did point guard Matthew O’Connell and swingman Oscar Robertson get to see the floor for a rare appearance in Mountain Airs gold, but back up forward Xavier Shaw dominated in all facets in the side’s 104-81 win.
‘‘It was a lot of fun,’’ Adam said. ’’Obviously with the NBL there’s that pressure and it’s results dominated. Tonight, it was obviously an important fixture, but there was also a bit more freedom in how you could play.
‘‘Letting the young guys showcase their ability, it was great to see these guys get out on the floor and sort of have a bit more of a chance to show what they can do is really pleasing.’’
Adam was happy with what he saw from O’Connell and Robertson, who both attended an NBA camp for promising young talent in China in June, and said they definitely had the tools to contribute to an NBL team in the future.
‘‘They both showed with their skill set and body types as far as Matty’s speed on the court and Oscar’s length on the wing.’’
As for Shaw, he was in dynamic form against Malaysia and showed he was in tune with starting point guard Houston O’Riley - with the two linking up to great effect in the match.
Shaw posted the line of the night, with 26 points and 11 rebounds in 37 minutes, shooting 10-13 from the floor.
‘‘Guys like Xavier Shaw, we really think he can play an important role for us. So it’s also seeing guys like that who you can potentially give bigger roles in the future, understand their actual ability and reward them for that.’’
Forwards Dane Brooks and Thane O’Leary, and guard Beauden Giddy were also given a sizeable workload and more than held their own on the court.
‘‘That’s the pleasing thing as far as all these guys are all local guys and they’ll all be in the gym getting a run around and just playing together and understanding how each other play.
‘‘Getting this group to spend as much time together will be a fun thing. It’s going to take a year or two but once these guys really get used to playing with one another and fill into their bodies then that’s going to be a great thing.’’