NBL Round 4: Hawks hand first defeat to Huskies

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Huskies (4-1) recorded its first loss in Auckland on Wednesday night. Hosts were edged by sixth ranked Hawks (3-2) 75-74. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Huskies. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) fired a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. The former international forward Jordan Hunt (205-1997, college: S.Oregon) chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds. Hawks' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American power forward Chris Johnson (210-85, college: LSU) produced a double-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks for lost side. Hawks moved-up to third place, which they share with Rams and Nuggets. Huskies at the other side still keep top position with one game lost. Hawks is looking forward to face league's second-placed Giants in Stoke in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Huskies will play at home against Bulls and are hoping to win this game.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Rams (3-2) against fifth ranked Giants (3-1) on Saturday night. Visiting Rams were defeated by Giants in a tough game in Stoke 77-85. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rams. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Trey Mourning (206-96, college: Georgetown, agency: Interperformances) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!). Jarrod West contributed with 25 points and 4 assists for the winners. Australian guard Sunday Dech (195-1994, college: Barry) replied with 35 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds for Rams. Rams' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Giants moved-up to second place. Rams at the other side dropped to the third position with two games lost. They share it with Hawks and Nuggets. Giants will play against Hawks (#5) in Tamatea in the next round. Rams will play at home against Hawks and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
7th ranked Sharks (2-3) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 97-86 loss to top-ranked Airs (0-0) in New Plymouth on Saturday evening. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. Worth to mention a great performance of Anthony Hilliard who helped to win the game recording 28 points and 6 assists. Airs' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side Mojave King responded with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Airs maintains th position with 0-0 record. Loser Sharks keep the seventh place with three games lost. They share the position with Mountainairs. Airs will meet at home Nuggets (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Sharks will play against Nuggets (#3) and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 4 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Nuggets defeated Bulls in Dunedin 83-66. Winless Saints were beaten by Rams at home 89-95. Nuggets won against Jets on the opponent's court 87-72.
The best stats of 4th round was 29 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists by Samuel Timmins of Nuggets.

Tuatara - Hawks 74-75

Huskies (4-1) recorded its first loss in Auckland on Wednesday night. Hosts were edged by sixth ranked Hawks (3-2) 75-74. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Huskies. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) fired a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. The former international forward Jordan Hunt (205-1997, college: S.Oregon) chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds. Four Hawks players scored in double figures. Hawks' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American power forward Chris Johnson (210-85, college: LSU) produced a double-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks and the former international forward Robert Loe (211-91, college: St.Louis) added 7 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals respectively for lost side. Hawks moved-up to third place, which they share with Rams and Nuggets. Huskies at the other side still keep top position with one game lost. Hawks is looking forward to face league's second-placed Giants in Stoke in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Huskies will play at home against Bulls and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: C.Johnson 29+10reb+2ast, S.Schneider 12+4reb+4ast, N.Dontae 9+4reb+3ast, N.Barrow 8+3reb, R.Loe 7+10reb+4ast, T.Fahrensohn 5+4reb+3ast
Hawks: D.Raukawa 18+4reb+1ast, J.Hunt 18+6reb, H.Harris 16+10reb+8ast, E.Rusbatch 12+10reb+1ast, E.Jack 7+2reb, Q.Bailey 4+5reb

Bulls - Nuggets 66-83

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Pukekohe where 5th ranked Bulls (2-2) were defeated by sixth ranked Nuggets (3-2) 83-66 on Friday. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Nikau McCullough (190-97, college: St.Mary's, TX) who helped to win the game recording 29 points and 5 rebounds and American guard Keith Williams (196-98, college: WKU) who added 11 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side forward Isaac Davidson (201-97, college: Sonoma St.) responded with 16 points and 5 rebounds and power forward Anzac Rissetto (208-1, college: Charlotte) scored 10 points and 6 rebounds. Four Bulls players scored in double figures. Bulls' coach tested ten players seeing no chance for a win. Nuggets have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Hawks and Rams. Loser Bulls dropped to the sixth position with two games lost. Nuggets will meet higher ranked Airs in the next round. Bulls will play against the league's leader Huskies (#1) in Auckland and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bulls: I.Davidson 16+5reb+1ast, J.Bezzant 12+2reb+4ast, A.Rissetto 10+6reb+2ast, D.Brooke 10+6reb+1ast, L.Henry 7+4reb, K.Keil 7+6reb
Nuggets: N.McCullough 29+5reb, T.McCall 12+1reb, K.Williams 11+5reb+3ast, A.Jack 8+5reb+1ast, T.Withers 8+7reb+3ast, J.Ahie 6+1reb

Giants - Rams 85-77

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Rams (3-2) against fifth ranked Giants (3-1) on Saturday night. Visiting Rams were defeated by Giants in a tough game in Stoke 77-85. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rams. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Giants made 20-of-20 charity shots (100 percent !!!) during the game. They also forced 19 Rams turnovers and outrebounded them 34-22 including 23 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Trey Mourning (206-96, college: Georgetown, agency: Interperformances) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!). The other American import point guard Jarrod West (182-99, college: Louisville) contributed with 25 points and 4 assists for the winners. Australian guard Sunday Dech (195-1994, college: Barry) replied with 35 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds and international guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) added 16 points and 5 assists in the effort for Rams. Rams' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Giants moved-up to second place. Rams at the other side dropped to the third position with two games lost. They share it with Hawks and Nuggets. Giants will play against Hawks (#5) in Tamatea in the next round. Rams will play at home against Hawks and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rams: S.Dech 35+5reb+2ast, T.Britt 16+3reb+5ast, M.Maker 8+3reb+1ast, R.Taylor 6+2reb, M.Karena 4+4reb, S.Smith 4+1reb
Giants: T.Mourning 37+17reb+3ast, J.West 25+2reb+4ast, M.Alexander 11+4reb+3ast, N.Trathen 8+3reb, R.Bensemann 2, S.Jordan 2+3reb

Airs - Sharks 97-86

7th ranked Sharks (2-3) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 97-86 loss to top-ranked Airs (0-0) in New Plymouth on Saturday evening. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. Airs outrebounded Sharks 44-33 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Anthony Hilliard (195-1986, college: ECSU) who helped to win the game recording 28 points and 6 assists and the other American import forward Javonte Douglas (203-1992, college: Montevallo) who added 14 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists during the contest. Airs' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side naturalized American guard Mojave King (196-2) responded with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international forward Brayden Inger (203-99) scored 20 points. Airs maintains th position with 0-0 record. Loser Sharks keep the seventh place with three games lost. They share the position with Mountainairs. Airs will meet at home Nuggets (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Sharks will play against Nuggets (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sharks: K.Mojave 28+6reb+5ast, B.Inger 20+4reb+3ast, D.Kelman-Poto 12+6reb+4ast, D.Leusogi-Ape 10+2reb+1ast, A.Burton 7+5reb+6ast, R.Gill 4+8reb+1ast
Airs: A.Hilliard 28+3reb+6ast, T.Wynyard 19+13reb+1ast, J.Douglas 14+13reb+7ast, D.Carlin 9+6reb+3ast, R.Rodger 9+4ast, H.Walker 6+2ast

Saints - Rams 89-95

No shocking result in a game in Wellington where second ranked Rams (3-2) defeated bottom-ranked Saints (0-3) 95-89 on Sunday. Rams dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Saints' 38. They outrebounded Saints 43-30 including 30 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of South Sudanese-Australian center Matur Maker (208-1998) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots) and the former international forward Maxwell Darling (196-0, agency: Octagon Europe) who added 18 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Taane Samuel (200-1999) responded with 30 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and the former international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college: JMU) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds. Five Rams and four Saints players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Despite that victory Rams went down to third position due to points difference, which they share with Hawks and Nuggets. Defending champion Saints still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with Jets. Rams will meet at home Hawks (#5) in the next round. Saints will play against Jets (#9) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Saints: T.Samuel 30+8reb, T.Vodanovich 16+10reb+2ast, J.Ngatai 16+6reb+4ast, M.Smith 14+1reb+4ast, T.Kenneth 5+4reb+1ast, M.Francis 5+1reb+1ast
Rams: M.Darling 18+6reb+1ast, M.Maker 16+14reb+1ast, M.Karena 13+7reb, S.Smith 12+5reb, S.Dech 12+4reb+2ast, R.Taylor 10+2ast

Jets - Nuggets 72-87

Rather expected game in Palmerston North where bottom-ranked Jets (0-3) were defeated by sixth ranked Nuggets (3-2) 87-72 on Sunday. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-97, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 29 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and American swingman Todd Withers (202-1996, college: Queens, NC) who added 18 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Jordanian-American center John Bohannon (211-1991, college: UTEP) responded with 9 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists and American-Jordanian forward Zane Najdawi (201-1996, college: Citadel) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. Four Jets players scored in double figures. Jets' coach tested eleven players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Nuggets have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Hawks and Rams. Loser Jets still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with Saints. Nuggets will meet higher ranked Airs in the next round. Jets will play against Saints (#10) in Wellington and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Jets: R.Crawford 15+4reb+2ast, Z.Najdawi 15+11reb+1ast, S.Temara 14+6reb, M.Pafe 10+2ast, J.Bohannon 9+14reb+5ast, S.Klein 5+4reb
Nuggets: S.Timmins 29+13reb+4ast, T.Withers 18+12reb, K.Williams 10+5reb+2ast, N.McCullough 9+1reb+2ast, T.McCall 9+8reb+3ast, A.Jack 5+3reb+2ast



Tags : HYRUM HARRIS, TAYLOR HAWKS, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL