NBL Round 8: Hawks keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Hawks as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Hawks defeated bottom-ranked Airs in Tamatea 100-89. Hawks dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Airs' 52. They outrebounded Airs 45-33 including a 38-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Hawks looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). American forward Tajuan Agee (206-1997, college: Iona) contributed with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Hawks' coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American swingman Anthony Hilliard (195-1986, college: ECSU) replied with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for Airs. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Airs at the other side still closes the standings with 0 game lost. Airs will play next round against Jets trying to get back on the winning streak. Hawks will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Giants in Stoke.
Leading Huskies (7-4) recorded its fourth loss in Auckland. Hosts were defeated by fifth ranked Nuggets (6-4) 99-95. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Todd Withers (202-1996, college: Queens, NC) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds and Tray Boyd III who added 28 points and 4 assists during the contest. Power forward Chris Johnson (210-1985, college: LSU) responded with 23 points and 9 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Nuggets moved-up to fourth place. Huskies lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the second position with four games lost. Nuggets will play against Rams (#6) in Christchurch in the next round. Huskies will play at home against Giants (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Stoke between Giants and Saints. Fourth ranked Giants (6-3) got a very close home victory over 8th ranked Saints (3-7). Giants managed to escape with a 3-point win 97-94 on Friday evening. The winners were led by Jarrod West who had that evening a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Even 30 points and 9 rebounds by Thomas Vodanovich did not help to save the game for Saints. Giants moved-up to third place. Defending champion Saints dropped to the ninth position with seven games lost. Giants will meet league's leader Hawks in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Saints will play against Bulls (#5) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 8: Jets beat Rams on the road 100-86. Bulls won against Saints on its own court 90-73. Jets managed to outperform Sharks in Palmerston North 82-73.
The most impressive performance of 8th round was 12 points, 19 rebounds and 8 assists by John Bohannon of Jets.

Tuatara - Nuggets 95-99

Leading Huskies (7-4) recorded its fourth loss in Auckland. Hosts were defeated by fifth ranked Nuggets (6-4) 99-95. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Todd Withers (202-1996, college: Queens, NC) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds and guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who added 28 points and 4 assists during the contest. Power forward Chris Johnson (210-1985, college: LSU) responded with 23 points and 9 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and guard Siler Schneider (191-1995, college: UC Davis, agency: One Motive Sports) scored 22 points. Four Nuggets and five Huskies players scored in double figures. Nuggets moved-up to fourth place. Huskies lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the second position with four games lost. Nuggets will play against Rams (#6) in Christchurch in the next round. Huskies will play at home against Giants (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: C.Johnson 23+9reb+3ast, S.Schneider 22+4reb+2ast, T.Fahrensohn 18+4reb+2ast, N.Dontae 15+5reb+7ast, R.Loe 15+9reb+3ast, N.Barrow 2+2reb
Nuggets: T.Boyd III 28+2reb+4ast, T.Withers 24+10reb+1ast, S.Timmins 22+7reb+2ast, K.Williams 20+8reb+4ast, J.Aitcheson 5+2reb, A.Jack 0+2reb

Giants - Saints 97-94

A very close game took place in Stoke between Giants and Saints. Fourth ranked Giants (6-3) got a very close home victory over 8th ranked Saints (3-7). Giants managed to escape with a 3-point win 97-94 on Friday evening. The winners were led by American point guard Jarrod West (182-1999, college: Louisville) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 10 assists and the other American import power forward Trey Mourning (206-1996, college: Georgetown, agency: Interperformances) supported him with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Even 30 points and 9 rebounds by the former international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college: JMU) did not help to save the game for Saints. Australian forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) added 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Giants moved-up to third place. Defending champion Saints dropped to the ninth position with seven games lost. Giants will meet league's leader Hawks in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Saints will play against Bulls (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Saints: T.Vodanovich 30+9reb+3ast, X.Cooks 23+8reb+4ast, T.Samuel 16+7reb+2ast, M.Smith 12+5reb+8ast, J.Ngatai 7+10reb+1ast, T.Kenneth 4+4reb
Giants: J.West 35+5reb+10ast, T.Mourning 18+9reb+3ast, S.Dempster 18+12reb, S.Thompson 16+6reb+2ast, N.Trathen 8+1reb, M.Alexander 2+2reb+2ast

Rams - Jets 86-100

There was a small surprise when eighth ranked Jets (4-6) beat 5th ranked Rams (5-5) in Christchurch 100-86 on Saturday. Jets shot the lights out from three sinking 16 long-distance shots on high 55.2 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by naturalized American power forward Shane Temara (205-1995, college: N.Texas) who scored that evening 28 points and 8 rebounds and Jordanian-American center John Bohannon (211-1991, college: UTEP) supported him with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Even 30 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 8 steals by Australian guard Sunday Dech (195-1994, college: Barry) did not help to save the game for Rams. The former international forward Maxwell Darling (196-2000, agency: Octagon Europe) added 10 points for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Rams' coach rotated ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. Jets have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain eighth position with 4-6 record. Loser Rams dropped to the sixth place with five games lost. Jets will meet higher ranked Airs in the next round. Rams will play against Sharks (#10) in Southland and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rams: S.Dech 30+6reb+5ast, M.Karena 12+3reb, T.Britt 11+2reb+1ast, M.Darling 10+4reb+1ast, J.Cook-Green 9+1reb+3ast, S.Smith 7+5reb+1ast
Jets: S.Temara 28+8reb+2ast, J.Bohannon 20+11reb+6ast, Z.Najdawi 14+12reb+2ast, C.Tukaha 12+2reb+4ast, R.Crawford 10+1reb+2ast, M.Pafe 8+1reb+5ast

Hawks - Airs 100-89

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Hawks as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Hawks defeated bottom-ranked Airs in Tamatea 100-89. Hawks dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Airs' 52. They outrebounded Airs 45-33 including a 38-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Hawks looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). American forward Tajuan Agee (206-1997, college: Iona) contributed with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Hawks' coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American swingman Anthony Hilliard (195-1986, college: ECSU) replied with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and his fellow American import swingman Shaun Willett (193-1996, college: Queens, NC) added 18 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Airs. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Airs at the other side still closes the standings with 0 game lost. Airs will play next round against Jets trying to get back on the winning streak. Hawks will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Giants in Stoke.

Bulls - Saints 90-73

Rather expected game when 8th ranked Saints (3-7) lost to sixth ranked Bulls (5-4) in Pukekohe 73-90 on Sunday. Bulls dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Saints' 18. Bulls forced 20 Saints turnovers. The winners were led by the former international guard Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 28 points, 5 rebounds, 12 assists and 4 steals and American guard Nathanial Potts (188-1995, college: MTSU) supported him with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Even a double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds by the former international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college: JMU) did not help to save the game for Saints. Australian forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) added 12 points and 12 rebounds for the guests. Five Bulls and four Saints players scored in double figures. Bulls have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place. Defending champion Saints dropped to the ninth position with seven games lost. Bulls will again meet Saints (#9) in the next round. Saints will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Saints: T.Vodanovich 28+13reb+2ast, M.Smith 15+5reb+3ast, X.Cooks 12+12reb+1ast, T.Samuel 11+4reb+3ast, T.Kenneth 3+1reb+1ast, W.Miller 2
Bulls: C.Webster 28+5reb+12ast, N.Potts 17+7reb+3ast, A.Rissetto 14+5reb, L.Henry 10+9reb+2ast, I.Davidson 10+4reb+1ast, K.Robinson 8+5reb

Sharks - Jets 73-82

Rather predictable result when eighth ranked Jets (4-6) won against bottom-ranked Sharks (2-8) in Southland 82-73 on Sunday. Jets outrebounded Sharks 48-34 including 17 on the offensive glass. The winners were led by Jordanian-American center John Bohannon (211-1991, college: UTEP) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 12 points, 19 rebounds and 8 assists and American-Jordanian forward Zane Najdawi (201-1996, college: Citadel) supported him with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Four Jets players scored in double figures. Even 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists by American forward Winston Shepard (203-1993, college: SDSU, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for Sharks. Naturalized American guard Mojave King (196-2002) added 15 points and 4 assists for the hosts. Sharks' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Jets have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain eighth position with 4-6 record. Sharks lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with eight games lost. Jets will meet higher ranked Airs in the next round. Sharks will play against Rams (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sharks: A.Burton 16+1reb+2ast, W.Shepard 15+7reb+5ast, K.Mojave 15+3reb+4ast, D.Leusogi-Ape 8+3reb, D.Knight 8+6reb+3ast, R.Gill 7+9reb+1ast
Jets: R.Crawford 23+2reb+1ast, Z.Najdawi 14+15reb+3ast, S.Temara 14+4reb, J.Bohannon 12+19reb+8ast, S.Klein 9+2reb, M.Pafe 4+2reb+3ast



Tags : HYRUM HARRIS, TAYLOR HAWKS, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL