Nugget vs Shark: Withers’ next marked man
Invercargill, Monday, 7pm
GUESS who Todd Withers will get to mark next?
The Otago Nuggets forward has built a reputation as one of the best defensive players in the league.
And the reward comes in a rather dubious package each week.
He gets to mark the best player on the other side.
On Monday night that is likely to be Jeremy Kendle.
The Southland Sharks guard is one of the leading scorers in the league. When he is not popping the ball in the basket on his way to an average haul of 23.1 points, he is serving the ball up on a platter for someone else.
He averages 9.5 assists each game. He is some player.
But if anyone can find a way to limit his impact on the game it is Withers.
He is sneaky. He is fast. He is tenacious. And at least twice a game, the 27yearold will take flight and swat the ball out of the air.
He will also have a significant size advantage. He is a forward, after all — he just moves like a guard.
‘‘It was a great battle the first time and I can’t wait. I’m super excited about getting the chance to go at him again,’’ Withers said.
Kendle actually poured in 27 points. But the Nuggets restricted the Sharks to 68 and won by eight points.
Withers set the tone on defence as he has all season, and as he did all last season.
But this time the Sharks will have the home court advantage. They have also made a couple of personnel changes.
Romaro Gill has been switched out for Josh Cunningham, and Alex Pledger has
National Basketball League
Otago Nuggets (possible): Sam Timmins, Robbie Coman, Todd Withers, Michael Harris, JaQuori McLaughlin, Matthew Bardsley, Darcy Knox, Josh Aitcheson, Jack Andrew, Jo Ahie, Max Pearce, Caleb Smiler. Southland Sharks (possible): Josh Cunningham, Grant Anticevich, Brayden Inger, Alonzo Burton, Jeremy Kendle, Alex Pledger, Ben Hall, Tom Cowie, Ben Adamson, Johnny Helu, Riley Snow, Andrew Wheeler.
returned following his battle with cancer.
Both sides will be hurting a little. The Nuggets started with seven straight wins. But they were soundly beaten by a classy Auckland Tuatara team in Dunedin last month and were also edged by the Hawke’s Bay Hawks at home despite making a Withersinspired late charge.
The Sharks are also coming off a loss to the Hawks at home and they need the win more desperately than the Nuggets.
They are sitting just outside the top six, while the Nuggets are nestled in nicely towards the top of the standings.
But it is a big week for the Nuggets.
Following the game against the Sharks, they will travel north for a game against the Manawatu¯ Jets on Thursday and the Wellington Saints on Friday.
It is a critical period in the season for the Nuggets, who may be without star point guard JaQuori McLaughlin.
He sat out training on Friday due to a knee complaint.
The Nuggets will have to work even harder should he not be able to take the court.
That will lump further pressure on Withers to get stops and restrict Kendle.
‘‘Most of the guards I mark are a lot shorter than me so I get a chance to use my length. And
I get to show that I’m a bit versatile.
‘‘I’ve always wanted to show that I can go out and defend one through to five, so it’s an achievement for me.
‘‘I’ve never been a big scorer or anything like that . . . but defence has always been my bread and butter.
‘‘I take a large amount of pride in what I do defensively.’’