At a glance
development season with the Cairns Taipans, added 14 points and six rebounds for the Sharks, while import centre Romaro Gill chipped in with 10 points, 13 rebounds and five blocked shots.
The Sharks never gave the inexperienced Saints outfit a sniff, bursting out of the blocks to a 33-15 lead after he first quarter, which grew to 62-35 by the major break. From there it was only a matter of how respectable the champions could keep the scoreline.
Kenneth Tuffin paced the Saints with 21 points and Rangi DougallMita added 19, but the youngsters were pumped 45-29 on the boards, 56-32 in points in the paint and 23-11 in fast-break points.
The Saints will get a lot better as they add their hardened types over coming weeks. The Sharks, on the evidence of Friday night, are already very, very good.
Meanwhile, in the other games of the opening weekend, new import signing Alonzo Mourning III led the way for the Nelson Giants, scoring 35 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in a sensational debut outing as they made light work of the Otago Nuggets, winning their season opener 88-69.
Auckland Tuatara overcame a slow start to smash Taranaki Airs
At Trafalgar Centre, Nelson: Nelson Giants 88
(Alonzo Mourning III 35, Nic Trathen 13)
Otago Nuggets 69
(Nikau McCullough 21, Sam Timmins 18). 1Q: 33-15, HT: 51-30, 3Q: 65-48
At ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill: Southland Sharks 117
(Alonzo Burton 26, Mojave King 23),
Wellington Saints 81
(Kenneth Tuffin 21, Rangi DougallMita 19). 1Q: 33-15; HT: 62-35, 3Q: 96-60
At Cowles Stadium, Christchurch: Canterbury Rams 79
75
Otago Nuggets
(Joe Cook-Green 30)
(Sam Timmins 24), 1Q: 21-18, HT: 34-33, 3Q: 57-53
At Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland: Auckland Tuatara 92
(Chris Johnson 17, Rob Loe 17, Takiula Fahrenson 17)
Taranaki Airs 59
(Tai Wynard 17, Aaron Bailey-Nowell 10). 1Q: 16-21, HT: 41-34, 3Q: 65-44
92-59 after trailing 21-16 after the first quarter. Rob Lowe (17 points, 15 rebounds) and Chris Johnson (17 points, 14 rebounds) both registered double-doubles in the comeback win as the Tuatara restricted the Airs to just 38 points in the final three quarters.
Canterbury Rams handed the Nuggets their second defeat, holding them off 79-75 after the Nuggets drew level at 62-62 with less than six minutes remaining. Joe Cook-Green scored 30 points for the Rams while Sam Timmins registered his second doubledouble (24 points, 14 rebounds) in a row in a losing effort.