Giants lead the way in NBL
The Nelson Giants have moved to the top of the National Basketball League as the revival under coach Jamie Pearlman continues.
The Giants, who went through the first nine games of the 2017 season with just two victories to their name, lead the competition with a 7-2 record after beating the Bay Hawks 101-78 at the Trafalgar Centre on Saturday night.
It was evident early that the Hawks were fatigued having played a tough game in Christchurch the night before, when they beat the Canterbury Rams 91-76, and the Giants took full advantage after leading the opening quarter by a comfortable 11-point margin.
Australian guards Kyle Adnam (23 points) and Damon Heuir (18) shouldered most of the scoring load for the Giants, combining for 41 points, while Finn Delany and Jerry Evans Jr also added valuable contributions of 17 and 15.
Although the pre-match hype was billed on the return of former Giants legend Mika Vukona, it was a quiet homecoming for the veteran who did not take a single shot during his brief 4min 47sec on the court.
Sitting behind the Giants on the standings are the Wellington Saints, who held off the Super City Rangers 92-78 as Jeff Green’s side slumped to their ninth consecutive defeat of 2018.
Five Saints players hit double figures, with Shea Ili scoring 17 of his 21 points in the first half. He added just four more in the second half but had strong support from Jordan Ngatai (18 points), LJ Peak (17), Majok Majok (15) and Shaun Bruce (11).
For the Rangers, Marcel Jones went on a hot streak to raise hopes for the home side early in the second half, ending with a game-high 22 points and nine rebounds. However, it was not enough to spark the 0-9 Rangers to what would have been a much-needed victory.
Nipping at the heels of the Giants and Saints are the Southland Sharks. They hold third place after comfortably beating the Taranaki Mountain Airs 92-71.
Conor Morgan led the way for the Sharks with a 20-point, eight-rebound performance, while Tom Vodanovich went for 17 and Orlando Coleman had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
In the other game of the weekend, the Bay Hawks accounted for the Canterbury Rams 91-76. Ethan Rusbatch (22), Angus Brandt (20) and Jarrod Kenny (18) combined for 60 points.
The match between the Manawatu Jets and Rams, originally scheduled for yesterday, was postponed as both teams had multiple players away at an agegroup tournament. Nelson Giants 101 (Kyle Adnam 23, Damon Heuir 18, Finn Delany 17) Bay Hawks 78 (Angus Brandt 20, Ethan Rusbatch 16, Hyrum Harris 14). 1Q: 21-10, HT: 51-29, 3Q: 78-52 Southland Sharks 92 (Conor Morgan 20, Tom Vodanovich 17, Orlando Coleman 14) Taranaki Mountain Airs 71 (Javonte Douglas 27). 1Q: 27-16, HT: 44-35, 3Q: 73-48 Hawke’s Bay Hawks 91 (Ethan Rusbatch 22, Angus Brandt 20, Jarrod Kenny 18) Canterbury Rams 76 (Julian WilliamsWashburn 24, Winston Shepard II 18). 1Q: 21-18, HT: 43-35, 3Q: 68-63 Wellington Saints 92 (Shea Ili 21, Jordan Ngatai 18, LJ Peak 17) Super City Rangers 78 (Marcel Jones 22, Devon Scott 21, Lindsay Tait 15). 1Q: 23-24, HT: 50-44, 3Q: 72-65