The New Zealand Breakers grabbed the 11th victory in the Australian National Basketball League yesterday. They overcame the South Dragons 112:98 in Auckland to improve at 11-3 record on top of the ladder. The South Dragons remained one win shy of the leaders at the second spot.
The Breakers fans that gathered at the North Shore Events Centre saw their favorites cruising to a comfortable victory as it marked the fourth straight success for the Kiwi team.
The New Zealand Breakers grabbed the 11th victory in the Australian National Basketball League yesterday. They overcame the South Dragons 112:98 in Auckland to improve at 11-3 record on top of the ladder. The South Dragons remained one win shy of the leaders at the second spot. The Breakers fans that gathered at the North Shore Events Centre saw their favorites cruising to a comfortable victory as it marked the fourth straight success for the Kiwi team. CJ Bruton (188-G-75, college: Indian Hills CC) delivered 27 points and 6 assists to lead the charge. Kirk Penney (194-G-80, college: Wisconsin) was helpful with 20 points for the winners. Joe Ingles (203-G/F-87, agency: Priority Sports) and Adam Gibson (188-G-86) nailed 16 points apiece for the South Dragons. The Breakers piled up a 29:21 lead at the first break with the team showing a balanced approach. The hosts maintained the lead and Kirk Penney capped the half with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to make it 55:45 for the Breakers. The South Dragons remained contestant as they cut the deficit to 5 points in the third frame. However Kirk Penney fired three treys and the New Zealand Breakers cleared off to an 11-point distance. Oscar Forman (205-G/F-82) drained a three-pointer and Dillon Boucher (196-G-75) came up with a jumper to give the home team a 91:73 lead at three-quarter time. The hosts stayed at a comfortable distance throughout the fourth quarter and sealed the winning outcome at the end. The Breakers will next host the Perth Wildcats on November 27.
From BBNZ website:
New Zealand under-18 rep James Holland continued to rack up big offensive numbers in Kentucky high school play last week.
Holland has averaged 24.4 points per game in his last five games as his Bethel Christian Academy varsity team has started the season 7-0. Holland had 26 points (9/18 FG, 2/4 3pt, 6/6 FT), 10 assists, five rebounds, a steal and block in an 80-58 win over Trinity in the final of the KCAA Tip-Off Tournament.
From BBNZ website: New Zealand under-18 rep James Holland continued to rack up big offensive numbers in Kentucky high school play last week.
Holland has averaged 24.4 points per game in his last five games as his Bethel Christian Academy varsity team has started the season 7-0. Holland had 26 points (9/18 FG, 2/4 3pt, 6/6 FT), 10 assists, five rebounds, a steal and block in an 80-58 win over Trinity in the final of the KCAA Tip-Off Tournament.
With four 20+ point games, Holland scored a season-high 32 points (10/19 FG, 5/9 3pt, 7/7 FT), with nine assists, three rebounds, a steal and block in an 83-45 win over MICAH Christian on Tuesday.
Emerging Tall Blacks guard Zane Meehl (190-G-86) provided three points (1/1 FG, 1/1 3pt) and three assists in 18 minutes as Azusa Pacific fell 74-70 to Cal.St.-San Bernar. on Thursday in NAIA action.
Harbour product Ryan Beesley (193-G) had six points (2/3 FG, 2/2 FT), four assists and two rebounds in 18 minutes in defending NAIA division two national champion Oregon Tech's 86-63 win over Simpson (CA) in Redding, California, on Saturday. The Hustlin Owls have started their title defence 4-0.
Mada Abdelhamid (198-C) posted four points (2/4 FG, 0/1 3pt) with a rebound and assist in 12 minutes in Cumberland's 69-58 win over Oakwood on Sunday, lifting the Bulldogs to 5-1.
Former Junior Tall Black Rory Fannon (206-C-87) saw a minute of action in Utah Valley St.'s 68-62 home win over N.Arizona, while Canterburys Ben Constable (198-F) got three minutes court-time in each of Northwood's pair of home wins last week in West Palm Beach, Florida, collecting a rebound and assist in a 101-86 rout of Southeastern on Saturday.
The New Zealand Breakers secured two straight wins in the Australian National Basketball League recently. On Saturday the Breakers sneaked past the Melbourne Tigers 86:84 in an exciting basketball show at the State Netball and Hockey Centre. The Tigers got to a slightly better start to the game as they led early in the game. But Kirk Penney (194-G-80, college: Wisconsin) stepped up for the Breakers as his back-to-back treys lifted the visitors up 23:22 at the first break.
The New Zealand Breakers secured two straight wins in the Australian National Basketball League recently. On Saturday the Breakers sneaked past the Melbourne Tigers 86:84 in an exciting basketball show at the State Netball and Hockey Centre. The Tigers got to a slightly better start to the game as they led early in the game. But Kirk Penney (194-G-80, college: Wisconsin) stepped up for the Breakers as his back-to-back treys lifted the visitors up 23:22 at the first break. The Breakers stretched the margin to 17 points at halftime and continued to impress in the third quarter. Their advantage once reached a 22-point mark as the Tigers struggled to inspire the home crowd. However Sam Mackinnon (197-F/G-76) and Chris Anstey (213-C-75) fueled a comeback effort from the hosts as they denied the deficit. The Tigers tied the scoreline for several times in the fourth quarter before trailing by just two points with seconds remaining. CJ Bruton (188-G-75, college: Indian Hills CC) missed the shot and Ebi Ere (195-G/F-81, college: Oklahoma) had a chance to save the day for the Tigers. However his trey rimmed out and the Breakers got away with a narrow victory. Kirk Penney topscored with 25 points. Tony Ronaldson (203-F/C-72) added 13 points, while Oscar Forman (205-G/F-82) had 12 in the win. Chris Anstey replied with 19 points for the Tigers. Today the Breakers secured the ninth win in the season as they outgunned the Cairns Taipans 93:81 on the road. Kirk Penney scored 22 points 18 of them coming in the decisive second half. Oscar Forman contributed 19 points in the winning case. Gary Boodnikoff (200-G/F-79, college: Augusta St.) replied with 19 points for the Taipans in defeat.
From basketball.org.nz:
Former Tall Black Jeremiah Trueman (206-F-87, college: San Diego Chr.) produced two double-figure point games as the Alaska-Anch. fell to three close losses at Disneys Division Two West Coast Tip-Off Classic in Anaheim.
Trueman had 11 points (2/8 FG, 7/9 FT), five rebounds and three blocks in 36 minutes in their opening 60-55 loss to SW Minnesota St.
From basketball.org.nz: Former Tall Black Jeremiah Trueman (206-F-87, college: San Diego Chr.) produced two double-figure point games as the Alaska-Anch. fell to three close losses at Disneys Division Two West Coast Tip-Off Classic in Anaheim.
Trueman had 11 points (2/8 FG, 7/9 FT), five rebounds and three blocks in 36 minutes in their opening 60-55 loss to SW Minnesota St. on Friday, then four points (1/6 FG, 2/2 FT), three rebounds and an assist in 26 minutes in a 66-62 loss to Fort Lewis on Saturday, and 16 points (4/6 FG, 8/8 FT), five rebounds and three assists in 38 minutes in an 83-81 overtime loss to Humboldt St..
Tall Blacks back-up centre Alex Pledger (216-C-87) saw his first college action for the season, scoring 10 points and pulling down seven boards in Belm.Abbeys 55-41 exhibition win over Prime Time Players last week.
A solid 14 points (3/6 FG, 1/2 3pt, 7/8 FT), four rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes from Emerging Tall Black Zane Meehl (190-G-86) helped guide Azusa Pacific to a 77-69 win over Montana-Western at the NAIA Westminster Classic in Utah. Meehl produced four points (1/2 FG, 2/2 FT), a rebound and steal in 13 minutes as the Cougars fell 83-69 to hosts Westminster on Saturday.
Junior Tall Black Dion Prewster (196-G/F-91) began his college life, scoring 14 points in his debut for San Jacinto CC, a junior college outside of Houston, in a 113-60 blow-out of Houston Gladiators. The Ravens have started 3-0, winning the Sam Cassell Classic in their home gym.
Ryan Beesley (193-G) and Oregon Tech remained unbeaten at 3-0 after two wins on a California road trip last week. Beesley had 10 points (3/4 FG, 2/2 3pt, 2/2 FT), a rebound, assist and steal in 19 minutes of an 82-74 win over Dominican on Saturday and five points (2/4 FG, 1/3 FT) and five rebounds in 19 minutes in a 93-77 win over Pacific Union on Sunday.
In Tennessee, former Emerging Tall Black Mada Abdelhamid (198-C) had two points (2/2 FT) in two minutes in Cumberlands 64-62 loss to Oakwood on Tuesday, then scored three points (1/3 FG, 1/2 FT), two rebounds, two assists, a block and steal in 16 minutes in a 78-67 win over St.Catherines CC on Wednesday.
Caleb Harrison , assistant coach at Lambuth in Jackson, TN, saw his squad split their games at the FHU Classic, losing a 75-70 game to Berry and beating Concordia College Selma 73-57.
Harbour product Rory Fannon (206-C-87) managed two points (1/2 FG, 0/1 FT) and two rebounds in 10 minutes in Utah Valley St.s 95-77 exhibition win over Mesa St. at home in Orem, UT, on Thursday.
James Holland had eight assists to go with seven points (3/6 FG, 1/2 FT) and two rebounds as he helped Bethel Christian Academy (Ky) in a 96-18 spree over LaRue County Baptist in Kentucky on Tuesday, keeping the Blue Flames unbeaten.
The Breakers fall to Taipans, rebound against Gold Coast
by Eurobasket News - Oct 25, 2008
The New Zealand Breakers had a slow start to the weeks action as they were beaten by the Cairns Taipans 92:101 in overtime. The Breakers trailed 45:50 at halftime at the Cairns Convention Centre. Nevertheless the visitors drew things level early in the fourth period as CJ Bruton (188-G-75, college: Indian Hills CC) dropped consecutive bombs from beyond the arc. The teams traded baskets throughout the rest of the stanza and finished regulation all square at 89.
The New Zealand Breakers had a slow start to the weeks action as they were beaten by the Cairns Taipans 92:101 in overtime. The Breakers trailed 45:50 at halftime at the Cairns Convention Centre. Nevertheless the visitors drew things level early in the fourth period as CJ Bruton (188-G-75, college: Indian Hills CC) dropped consecutive bombs from beyond the arc. The teams traded baskets throughout the rest of the stanza and finished regulation all square at 89. However the Taipans allowed New Zealand to just 3 points in the extra frame and toiled a difficult victory at the end. Ian Crosswhite (212-F-82, college: Oregon) scored 19 points 18 of them coming after the long break to lead the hosts. David Thomas and Martin Cattallini contributed 17 points each for the winners. Kirk Penney (194-G-80, college: Wisconsin) answered with 23 points for the Breakers. CJ Bruton dropped 15 in the loss. However the weeks ending added some positive emotions for the Breakers as they outscored the Gold Coast Blaze 116:113 in thriller. The Breakers led throughout the whole game but the winless Blaze threw everything they got on the scale to knot things up late in the game. Pero Cameron was responsible for crucial five points that lit up hope for the Blaze. Tony Ronaldson drained a three-pointer that put the Breakers back in charge and then Shane Heal missed a potential tying treble to give the win to the visitors. Kirk Penney finished the game with 30 points. Oscar Forman (205-G/F-82) provided 24 points, while Phill Jones had 18 as the Breakers improved to 5-2 record. James Harvey (196-G/F-79) nailed 30 points for the Blaze as they slipped to 0-9.
Canterbury youngster Ben Constable playing college basketball for legendary coach Rollie Massimino
Promising Canterbury junior Ben Constable (198-F) is currently attending Northwood in Palm Beach, Florida. Constable was recruited to play at Northwood by legendary coach Rollie Massimino who is best known for leading the unheralded Villanova Wildcats to the national title as an eighth seed back in 1985.
Promising Canterbury junior Ben Constable (198-F) is currently attending Northwood in Palm Beach, Florida. Constable was recruited to play at Northwood by legendary coach Rollie Massimino who is best known for leading the unheralded Villanova Wildcats to the national title as an eighth seed back in 1985. The Northwood team who are known as the Seahawks have won back to back Florida Sun Conference titles and reached the NAIA national tournament in back to back years, most recently making it as far as the Elite Eight. Playing for such an accomplished coach in Massimino and for a solid Northwood team should help the 6 foot 7 Constable improve as a player, he led his high school team to the national high school basketball tournament on a number of occasions and played very well for Canterbury age group sides. Having players recieve scholarships to American colleges can only help to improve the standard of the game in New Zealand, so hopefully this trend continues and New Zealand's premier basketball talent keep crossing the Pacific Ocean to enhancing their basketball abilities.
New Zealand Breakers - Gold Coast Blaze 120:108
The Breakers improved to 4-1 record in the NBL season after the defeated the visiting Gold Coast Blaze at the North Shore Events Centre. The Blaze arrived in Auckland without Scott McGregor and Juaquin Hawkins and had little to oppose for the ambitious Breakers. Kirk Penney (194-G-80, college: Wisconsin) fired 29 points to lead the ho
