Cotton back to repeat heroics
NBL superstar Bryce Cotton will return to the scene of his incredible game-tying, buzzerbeating three pointer in Launceston next month following the release of the remaining fixtures for the year.
Cotton connected on a circus three-point attempt as time expired in regulation against New Zealand at the Silverdome on Tuesday night. The Perth Wildcats went on to win by six points in overtime.
The league has unveiled the last six rounds of the schedule.
New Zealand will play an additional two matches in Tasmania before finally getting to return home.
The Breakers have been on the road since the start of the season.
New Zealand, which faces Brisbane on Friday night in Launceston and hosts Cairns (Friday, April 23 and Adelaide (Monday, April 26), will also have a return bout against Perth on Saturday, May 1, and a clash against Illawarra two days later.
The Breakers will then have three more matches in Australia before flying home and having their last seven matches in front of home fans in Auckland, starting with Sydney on May 20.
“We are delighted that the Breakers will be finally able to return home to New Zealand to be reunited with their family and friends and finish the season in front of their fans,” NBL
commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said
“We thank all of the Breakers’ players, coaches and staff who have made an incredible sacrifice to make this season happen and everyone involved in the league is extremely grateful for everything they have done.
“Despite the significant challenges presented to us this season, we’ve seen world-class basketball and we now look forward to what should be a thrilling climax to the season as teams jostle for finals spots.”
A crowd of 1385 attended Tuesday night’s thrilling contest, the state’s first NBL regular season match since the Melbourne Tigers defeated Adelaide at the DEC in December, 2005.
Local hero Tanner Krebs is part of Brisbane’s squad, which also features Harry Froling, who suited up for the Southern Huskies in 2019.