New Zealand Breakers go five and five - Feb 3, 2012 (by Mike Lacey)
The two top sides in the Australian National Basketball League fought out an encounter of play off intensity in front of almost 4000 fans at the North Shore Events Centre on Thursday night, the New Zealand Breakers defeating the Perth Wildcats 83-77.
The Breakers edged a free scoring first quarter 31-24, Kevin Lisch leading the way for the Wildcats and Tom Abercrombie the Breakers main offensive weapon [read more]
The two top sides in the Australian National Basketball League fought out an encounter of play off intensity in front of almost 4000 fans at the North Shore Events Centre on Thursday night, the New Zealand Breakers defeating the Perth Wildcats 83-77. The Breakers edged a free scoring first quarter 31-24, Kevin Lisch leading the way for the Wildcats and Tom Abercrombie the Breakers main offensive weapon. Shawn Redhage scored 6 points early in the second stanza, Perths transition game igniting their scoring. The Wildcats continued to get the better of the home side to take a narrow 44-42 lead into the half time break. The Wildcats had won the rebounding battle 21-10 in the half and this was the major focus of Breakers coach Andrej Lemaniss address to his troops in the locker room. His words, along with some ice cold shooting from the Cats instigated a 24-10 third period surge from the Breakers. Gary Wilkinson, CJ Bruton and Mika Vukona (198-F-82) (11 points,10 rebounds) inspired the Breakers and it was only a technical foul incurred by Abercrombie that stalled the charging Breakers allowing Redhage and Lisch to knock down some freebies the Breakers ahead 66-54 at three quarter time. To their credit Perth Wildcats fought bravely and gave the Breakers some nervous moments down the stretch as they reduced the defecit to six points, the Breakers missing the experience of the fouled out Bruton and Dillon Boucher as the Wildcats full court pressure paid dividends in the final minutes. The Breakers were poor from the foul line (15 from 27) but a couple from Daryl Corletto eased the nerves as the current champions eased to their fifth straight win in front of their fifth straight sell out crowd. For many watching the highlight of the game was the battle between arguably the best two point guards in the league, certainly the best two defensive guards in the competition. In a boxing match it would probably have been called a draw as Cedric Jackson (15 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) went toe to toe with Damian Martin (6 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 staeals) for most the game before Martin fouled out with a couple of minutes remaining and Jackson retired to the bench at the same time with cramp. New Zealand Breakers 83 (Wilkinson 18, Jackson 15, Abercrombie 12, Vukona 11) Perth Wildcats 77 (Lisch 20, Redhage 15, Nevill 14).
Jackson at the double - Jan 23, 2012 (by Mike Lacey)
The SKY CITY New Zealand Breakers made it 8 wins from the last 10 games when they defeated the Melbourne Tigers 91-77 in round 17 of the ANBL this week. In front of a third consecutive sell out crowd at the NSEC, the SKY CITY New Zealand Breakers never looked threatened once they established a double figure lead in the second quarter [read more]
The SKY CITY New Zealand Breakers made it 8 wins from the last 10 games when they defeated the Melbourne Tigers 91-77 in round 17 of the ANBL this week. In front of a third consecutive sell out crowd at the NSEC, the SKY CITY New Zealand Breakers never looked threatened once they established a double figure lead in the second quarter. Gary Wilkinson, playing his 50th game for the club led all scorers with 21 points but the spread of scoring (6 players in double figures and CJ Bruton on 9 points) was one of the most pleasing aspects of the performance for head coach Andrej Lemanis. Pleasing for everyone was again, the high powered performance of Cedric Jackson (191-G-86, college: Cleveland St.). In addition to equalling the club record of 13 assists in a game, Jackson contributed 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Melbourne coach Trevor Gleeson was full of praise for Cedric after the game describing him as the best point guard in the league. Few associated with the Breakers would argue with those sentiments. Jackson looks set to smash a couple of all time season best Breakers records. Dillon Boucher holds the record for the most steals in a season, 60 back in 2003/04 from 30 games. Jackson has already snaffled 46 in 18 games. CJ Bruton dished off 161 assists in 2008/09 but Jackson looks almost certain to surpass this mark as he currently has 115 and with a minimum of 12 games remaining and needs only 4 per game to better this mark. As Jackson is currently averaging 6.4 assists per game and 2.6 steals both records look well within his grasp.
Harbour Heat and Breakers Academy enjoy the warm up - Jan 17, 2012 (by Mike Lacey)
The NZ Breakers Academy and Harbour Heat teams prepared for upcoming commitments by playing out a high energy practice game at Atlas Place that was eventually won 94-88 by the Heat.
It was the NZ Breakers who started the game the strongest quickly establishing an early 10 points lead with all the starting five all troubling the scorers [read more]
The NZ Breakers Academy and Harbour Heat teams prepared for upcoming commitments by playing out a high energy practice game at Atlas Place that was eventually won 94-88 by the Heat. It was the NZ Breakers who started the game the strongest quickly establishing an early 10 points lead with all the starting five all troubling the scorers. Cam Stuart contributed the first 8 points of the Heat scoring but a better balanced offence from the Breakers led by 5 points from Alonso Burton saw them ahead 26-20 at quarter time. The Heat coped much better with the Breakers pressure defence in the second quarter and got their offence rolling courtesy of the experienced pairing of Kevin Smith (196-F-79, college: Lee) and Charlie Piho but with Tai Webster, Derone Raukawa and Alex Talma making strong contributions the Breakers still held a narrow advantage 43-42 at half time. The Heat squad contained three of last years Breakers Academy graduates, Anamata Haku, James Ashby and Brad Anderson and all three played a part in the Heat getting the better of the third quarter. 10 points in the period from livewire guard Marco Alexander (185-G-91) propelled the Heat into a 72-62 lead at three quarter time. The battle in the paint between Haku and Isaac Fotu was an eye catching feature of the second half with both players upstaging more senior players in the battle for dominance under the boards. The Heat established a commanding 14 points lead early in the final period and appeared to be coasting to a comfortable win but a spirited revival from the young Breakers team led by Fotu, Reuben Te Rangi (both contracted to play for the Heat following the Breakers tour) narrowed the advantage to just 4 points with 3 minutes remaining. However, the more experienced Heat team were able to resist the comeback and close out the game for a hard fought win. Final score; NZ Breakers 88 (Isaac Fotu 22, Tai Webster 17, Derone Raukawa 16, Alonso Burton 10) Harbour Heat 94 (Marco Alexander 19, Cam Stuart 17, Brad Anderson 14, Charlie Piho 12) Both teams will be grateful for the good workout. Perfect preparation for the Judd Flavell coached Breakers who were able to develop some of their team strategies ahead of an intense five games in four days tour to Melbourne and also a great opportunity for Heat coach Alex Stojkivic to cast his eye over players hoping to be selected for the Harbour NBL squad.
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