NBL Round 1 of Regular Season

The Regular Season in NBL just started. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Huskies defeated Jets in Hobart 106-97. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Jeremy Kendle (186-88, college: Bellarmine) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 8 assists. Guard Dontae Nance (190-5) contributed with 26 points for the winners. American guard Daishon Knight (185-91, college: Illinois St.) answered with 30 points and 6 assists (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) for Jets. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jets will play next round against Nuggets trying to get back on the winning streak. Huskies will try to continue on its current victory against Giants in Stoke.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Nuggets in Dunedin. Hosts were rolled over by Saints 95-73. The former international swingman Dion Prewster (195-90, college: SF Austin, agency: BIG) stepped up and scored 31 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and Kerwin Roach II chipped in 19 points and 4 steals. At the losing side the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-97, college: Washington) responded with 18 points and 9 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Saints will play against Sharks in Southland in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Nuggets will play at home against Jets to get more than just one victory in their record.
An interesting game was also tough home loss of Bulls in a game in Pukekohe versus undefeated Huskies 99-96. Jeremy Kendle nailed 32 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Josh Selby came up with 26 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) for Bulls in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Huskies will meet at home Giants in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Bulls will play against Giants and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very interesting game took place in Pukekohe. It ended with only one-point defeat on the road of Jets to Bulls 100-99 on Saturday evening. Josh Selby fired 27 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Bulls' coach Jamie Reddish allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Bulls' next round opponent will be Giants in Stoke. Jets will play on the road against Nuggets in Dunedin and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Southland. Sharks saved a 2-point victory at home edging Mountain Airs 78-76 on Thursday evening. Host team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. It was a very good performance for Josh Cunningham who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 8 rebounds. Sharks' coach Rob Beveridge used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Sharks will face Hawks in Tamatea in the next round. Mountain Airs will play at home against Bulls and hope to win that game.

Other games in round 1 were not that significant. Sharks smashed Giants on the road 84-65. Saints destroyed Rams on its own court 95-74. Winless Mountainairs were outscored by Nuggets in Dunedin 93-66. Hawks managed to beat Rams at home 104-90.
The most impressive performance of 1st round was 25 points and 5 rebounds by Derone Raukawa of Hawks.

Nuggets - Saints 73-95

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Nuggets in Dunedin. Hosts were rolled over by Saints 95-73. The former international swingman Dion Prewster (195-90, college: SF Austin, agency: BIG) stepped up and scored 31 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and American guard Kerwin Roach II (193-96, college: Texas) chipped in 19 points and 4 steals. At the losing side the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-97, college: Washington) responded with 18 points and 9 rebounds and American guard Isaiah Moss (196-96, college: Kansas) scored 20 points and 6 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Saints will play against Sharks in Southland in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Nuggets will play at home against Jets to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Saints: D.Prewster 31+5reb+7ast, K.Roach II 19+3reb+2ast, T.Smith-Milner 9+6reb+3ast, T.Samuel 9+5reb+1ast, E.Vaigafa 7+2ast, R.Gill 6+6reb+1ast
Nuggets: I.Moss 20+6reb+1ast, S.Timmins 18+9reb+2ast, J.Aitcheson 14+5reb+3ast, G.McKay 5+4reb+2ast, D.Knox 3+2ast, M.Akiva 2+2reb+2ast

Bulls - Huskies 96-99

An interesting game was also tough home loss of Bulls in a game in Pukekohe versus undefeated Huskies 99-96. American guard Jeremy Kendle (186-88, college: Bellarmine) nailed 32 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and power forward Nicholas Barrow (205-92) accounted for 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. American point guard Josh Selby (188-91, college: Kansas) came up with 26 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) and power forward Denhym Brooke (203-96, college: Hawaii-Hilo) added 16 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Bulls in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Huskies will meet at home Giants in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Bulls will play against Giants and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Huskies: J.Kendle 32+6reb+3ast, N.Dontae 18+4reb+3ast, B.Ruscoe-Taiaroa 17+8reb+2ast, N.Barrow 17+9reb+4ast, R.Zach 5+6reb, T.Johnson 4+3reb+1ast
Bulls: J.Selby 26+6reb+2ast, J.Gerrand 18+3reb, D.Brooke 16+6reb+1ast, N.Joseph 14+3ast, N.Fee 7+2reb+3ast, D.Brooks 6+8reb+5ast

Giants - Sharks 65-84

There was a small surprise when Sharks crushed Giants in Stoke 84-65 on Monday. It was a very good performance for forward Brayden Inger (203-99) who helped to win the game recording 15 points and 4 assists. American forward Josh Cunningham (203-96, college: Dayton) contributed with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Five Sharks players scored in double figures. American swingman Donte Ingram (199-96, college: Loyola, IL) answered with 20 points and 6 rebounds and swingman Sam Dempster (194-90) added 7 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Giants. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Sharks will face Hawks in Tamatea in the next round. Giants will play on the road against Huskies in Hobart and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Sharks: B.Inger 15+4reb+4ast, C.Belger 14+3reb+3ast, T.Gillooly 12+3reb, D.Kelman-Poto 11+7reb, J.Helu 10+1reb+2ast, J.Cunningham 10+11reb+1ast
Giants: D.Ingram 20+6reb+3ast, T.Ingham 9+3reb+3ast, H.Hale 8+6reb+3ast, S.Dempster 7+9reb+2ast, B.Beri 7+3reb+1ast, A.Rissetto 6+4reb

Sharks - Mountainairs 78-76

Important game to mention about took place in Southland. Sharks saved a 2-point victory at home edging Mountain Airs 78-76 on Thursday evening. Host team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. It was a very good performance for American forward Josh Cunningham (203-96, college: Dayton) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 8 rebounds. Swingman Toby Gillooly (193-98) contributed with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Sharks' coach Rob Beveridge used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-85, college: Oregon St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Haize Walker (188-99, college: Concordia, OR) added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Mountain Airs. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Sharks will face Hawks in Tamatea in the next round. Mountain Airs will play at home against Bulls and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Sharks: J.Cunningham 18+8reb+1ast, A.Burton 15+4reb+3ast, T.Gillooly 13+11reb+2ast, D.Kelman-Poto 11+8reb+3ast, B.Inger 8+2reb+1ast, J.Helu 7+5reb
Mountainairs: M.Jones 23+10reb+6ast, H.Walker 15+5reb+4ast, T.Wynyard 11+9reb+2ast, M.Francis 10+6reb+5ast, N.Kirksey 7+7reb, F.Baxter 6+2reb

Saints - Rams 95-74

Very expected game when Rams were smashed by Saints in Wellington 95-74 on Friday. Quite impressive performance for the former international swingman Dion Prewster (195-90, college: SF Austin, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 31 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Kerwin Roach II (193-96, college: Texas) contributed with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Four Saints players scored in double figures. American guard Deshon Taylor (188-96, college: Fresno St.) answered with 18 points and 7 assists and the former international center Jack Salt (208-96, college: Virginia) added 16 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Rams. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Saints will face Sharks in Southland in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Rams will play at home against Jets and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saints: D.Prewster 31+5reb+2ast, K.Roach II 18+5reb+7ast, R.Gill 17+7reb, T.Kenneth 13+1reb, T.Smith-Milner 8+9reb+3ast, R.Kael 3+1reb
Rams: D.Taylor 18+2reb+7ast, J.Salt 16+5reb+1ast, Q.Bailey 12+3reb+1ast, A.Talma 9+3reb+1ast, E.Singler 7+4reb+1ast, B.Constable 6+5reb+1ast

Huskies - Jets 106-97

Huskies defeated Jets in Hobart 106-97. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Jeremy Kendle (186-88, college: Bellarmine) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 8 assists. Guard Dontae Nance (190-5) contributed with 26 points for the winners. American guard Daishon Knight (185-91, college: Illinois St.) answered with 30 points and 6 assists (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) and naturalized American power forward Shane Temara (205-95, college: N.Texas) added 16 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Jets. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jets will play next round against Nuggets trying to get back on the winning streak. Huskies will try to continue on its current victory against Giants in Stoke.
Top scorers:
Huskies: J.Kendle 30+4reb+8ast, N.Dontae 26+4reb, S.Murphy 14+11reb+2ast, B.Ruscoe-Taiaroa 14+3reb+4ast, R.Zach 9+4reb+1ast, N.Barrow 6+8reb
Jets: D.Knight 30+1reb+6ast, S.Temara 16+10reb+2ast, J.Bezzant 15+2reb+3ast, D.Daniels 12+5reb, N.McCullough 8+6reb+2ast, A.McQueen 8+5reb

Nuggets - Mountainairs 93-66

Nuggets used a home court advantage and rolled over the opponent from New Plymouth 93-66 on Saturday night. Nuggets forced 24 Mountain Airs turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Quite impressive performance for the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-97, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. American guard Isaiah Moss (196-96, college: Kansas) contributed with 28 points for the winners. Nuggets' coach Brent Matehaere felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-85, college: Oregon St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds and the former international power forward Tai Wynyard (208-98, college: Kentucky) added 11 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Mountain Airs. Four Mountain Airs players scored in double figures. Nuggets will face Jets in Palmerston North in the next round. Mountain Airs will play at home against Bulls and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: I.Moss 28+4reb+3ast, S.Timmins 22+12reb+5ast, R.Rodger 10+3reb+3ast, J.Aitcheson 9+4reb+5ast, D.Knox 7+2reb+3ast, G.McKay 6+3reb+2ast
Mountainairs: F.Baxter 12+3reb+1ast, M.Jones 12+10reb+2ast, M.Francis 11+1reb+4ast, T.Wynyard 11+10reb+1ast, D.Carlin 8+3reb+1ast, N.Kirksey 6+2reb+1ast

Bulls - Jets 100-99

A very interesting game took place in Pukekohe. It ended with only one-point defeat on the road of Jets to Bulls 100-99 on Saturday evening. Bulls made 16-of-18 charity shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Strangely Jets outrebounded Bulls 46-34 including 16 on the offensive glass. American point guard Josh Selby (188-91, college: Kansas) fired 27 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals for the winners. His fellow American import forward Zane Waterman (203-95, college: Manhattan) chipped in a double-double by scoring 25 points and 14 rebounds. Bulls' coach Jamie Reddish allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Guard Jayden Bezzant (188-96, college: NW Nazarene) produced 29 points and 7 rebounds and naturalized American power forward Shane Temara (205-95, college: N.Texas) added 18 points and 14 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Bulls' next round opponent will be Giants in Stoke. Jets will play on the road against Nuggets in Dunedin and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bulls: J.Selby 27+8reb+8ast, Z.Waterman 25+14reb+1ast, N.Joseph 20+2ast, D.Brooks 10+6reb+1ast, D.Brooke 8+2reb+1ast, N.Fee 8+3reb+1ast
Jets: J.Bezzant 29+7reb+2ast, D.Knight 23+3reb+1ast, S.Temara 18+14reb+1ast, D.Daniels 15+15reb, J.Mckinlay 9+4reb+1ast, M.Kalib 3+2reb+1ast

Hawks - Rams 104-90

Not a big story in a game when Rams lost to Hawks in Tamatea 90-104 on Sunday. Hawks made 21-of-22 free shots (95.5 percent) during the game. Quite impressive performance for American guard Devondrick Walker (196-92, college: A&M-Commerce) who helped to win the game recording 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international guard Derone Raukawa (181-94) contributed with 25 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American forward EJ Singler (198-90, college: Oregon) answered with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Quintin Bailey (201-97, college: John Brown) added 21 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) in the effort for Rams. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Rams' coach Mick Downer rotated ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. Hawks will face Sharks in Southland in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Rams will play at home against Jets and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hawks: D.Walker 26+5reb+5ast, D.Raukawa 25+5reb+3ast, H.Harris 18+7reb+3ast, E.Bartlett 13+2reb+2ast, J.Janssen 12+9reb+2ast, E.Rusbatch 10+6reb+1ast
Rams: Q.Bailey 21+5reb+2ast, B.Constable 16+6reb+1ast, D.Taylor 15+2reb+4ast, E.Singler 15+9reb+6ast, S.Smith 10+5reb+4ast, D.Albertsen 10+1reb+1ast



Tags : JEREMY KENDLE, AUCKLAND HUSKIES, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL