NBL Round 10 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Fifth defeat of league's leader Mountain Airs (7-5) against third ranked Jets (7-4) 118-103 was the most important game of the last round. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Jets looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of international forward Hyrum Harris (198-96, college: Umpqua CC) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Forward Taane Samuel (200-99) contributed with 22 points and 4 assists for the winners. The former international guard Derone Raukawa (181-94) replied with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists for Mountain Airs. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jets have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Nuggets. Mountain Airs at the other side dropped to the third place with five games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Nuggets. Mountain Airs will play next round against Giants trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Jets will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Bulls in Pukekohe.
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Nuggets as it allowed them to take a leadership position after previous leader's (Mountain Airs) loss. Nuggets defeated one of their biggest challengers Bulls in Dunedin 89-83. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Forward Jordan Hunt (205-97, college: S.Oregon) scored 31 points to lead the charge for the winners and Jordan Ngatai chipped in 18 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists during the contest. At the losing side forward Dominique Kelman-Poto (201-94, college: Adelphi) responded with 16 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Jets. Bulls at the other side dropped to the fourth place with five games lost. They share the position with Huskies. Bulls will play next round against strong Jets trying to get back on the winning streak. Nuggets will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Huskies at Hobart.
The game in Stoke supposed to be also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Huskies (6-5) played at the court of 6th ranked Giants (4-8). Huskies smashed Giants 96-67 on Sunday. Leon Henry notched 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort. Even 15 points and 8 rebounds by Mike Karena did not help to save the game for Giants. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Huskies have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Bulls. Loser Giants keep the sixth position with eight games lost. Huskies will meet bottom-ranked Rams (#7) in the next round. Giants will play against Mountain Airs in New Plymouth and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 10 bottom-ranked Rams were beaten by Giants on the road 80-64.

Giants - Rams 80-64

Everything could happen in Stoke at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Giants and 7th ranked Rams had identical 3-8 record. This time Giants used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Christchurch 80-64 on Saturday night. Guard Dane Brooks (188-96, college: Harcum CC) notched 26 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and Nic Trathen (202-97) supported him with 8 points and 6 rebounds. Even 15 points by the former international swingman Reuben Te Rangi (198-94) did not help to save the game for Rams. Benjamin Carlile-Smith (195-1) added 9 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Giants maintains sixth position with 4-8 record. Rams lost ninth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with nine games lost. Giants will meet higher ranked Mountain Airs (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Rams will play against Huskies (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rams: R.Te Rangi 15+4reb+1ast, T.Gillooly 10+4reb, C.Benjamin 9+5reb+1ast, W.Thomas 7+2reb+2ast, E.Jack 6, W.Mason 4+5reb
Giants: D.Brooks 26+8reb+3ast, M.Karena 11+5reb+1ast, N.Trathen 8+6reb+3ast, M.Vukona 8+3reb+2ast, M.Alexander 7+1reb+1ast, T.Ingham 7+3reb+1ast

Nuggets - Bulls 89-83

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Nuggets as it allowed them to take a leadership position after previous leader's (Mountain Airs) loss. Nuggets defeated one of their biggest challengers Bulls in Dunedin 89-83. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Nuggets made 18-of-23 charity shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Bulls were plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. Forward Jordan Hunt (205-97, college: S.Oregon) scored 31 points to lead the charge for the winners and the former international forward Jordan Ngatai (196-93, college: BYU-Hawaii) chipped in 18 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists during the contest. At the losing side forward Dominique Kelman-Poto (201-94, college: Adelphi) responded with 16 points and 8 rebounds and the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-97, college: Washington) scored 10 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Jets. Bulls at the other side dropped to the fourth place with five games lost. They share the position with Huskies. Bulls will play next round against strong Jets trying to get back on the winning streak. Nuggets will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Huskies at Hobart.
Top scorers:
Bulls: E.Bartlett 19+2ast, D.Kelman-Poto 16+8reb+2ast, I.Davidson 12+3reb+2ast, S.Timmins 10+9reb+4ast, J.Stubbins 8+3reb+3ast, S.Vaiangina 8+4reb+2ast
Nuggets: J.Hunt 31+4reb, J.Ngatai 18+6reb+9ast, J.Aitcheson 14+3reb+1ast, J.Kenny 13+12reb+7ast, K.Keil 9+7reb+1ast, S.Aruwa 2+2reb+1ast

Giants - Huskies 67-96

The game in Stoke supposed to be also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Huskies (6-5) played at the court of 6th ranked Giants (4-8). Huskies smashed Giants 96-67 on Sunday. Huskies forced 23 Giants turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The former international forward Leon Henry (200-85, college: S.Idaho JC) notched 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and the former international power forward Tohi Smith-Milner (206-95, college: Polk State CC) supported him with 20 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Five Huskies players scored in double figures. Even 15 points and 8 rebounds by the former international center Mike Karena (210-93, college: Wright St.) did not help to save the game for Giants. Guard Dane Brooks (188-96, college: Harcum CC) added 8 points for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Huskies have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Bulls. Loser Giants keep the sixth position with eight games lost. Huskies will meet bottom-ranked Rams (#7) in the next round. Giants will play against Mountain Airs in New Plymouth and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Giants: M.Karena 15+8reb+2ast, A.Tysxun 13, D.Brooks 8+4reb+3ast, N.Trathen 8+6reb, Z.Lovell 7+1reb, T.Johnson 5+5reb+1ast
Huskies: T.Smith-Milner 20+2ast, F.Reuben 14+1reb+2ast, L.Henry 13+7reb+4ast, N.Wilson 12+4reb, I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 12+4reb+5ast, J.Gerrand 9+2reb

Jets - Mountainairs 118-103

Fifth defeat of league's leader Mountain Airs (7-5) against third ranked Jets (7-4) 118-103 was the most important game of the last round. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Jets looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of international forward Hyrum Harris (198-96, college: Umpqua CC) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Forward Taane Samuel (200-99) contributed with 22 points and 4 assists for the winners. The former international guard Derone Raukawa (181-94) replied with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists and naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-85, college: Oregon St.) added 24 points and 7 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) in the effort for Mountain Airs. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jets have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Nuggets. Mountain Airs at the other side dropped to the third place with five games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Nuggets. Mountain Airs will play next round against Giants trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Jets will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Bulls in Pukekohe.
Top scorers:
Mountainairs: D.Raukawa 29+5reb+10ast, M.Jones 24+7reb+2ast, S.Temara 13+10reb+2ast, T.Kenneth 11+2reb+1ast, D.Mitchell 11+2reb+1ast, T.Wynyard 8+4reb+1ast
Jets: H.Harris 24+10reb+10ast, T.Samuel 22+4reb+4ast, N.Kirksey 19+4reb+4ast, T.Vodanovich 17+6reb+1ast, J.Bezzant 12+3reb+2ast, A.McQueen 12+3reb



Tags : HYRUM HARRIS, MANAWATU JETS, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL