NBL Round 12: Huskies are defeated by Sharks

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Auckland between second ranked Huskies (9-7) and tenth ranked Sharks (4-10) on Friday night. Huskies were defeated by Sharks at home 103-91. Sharks shot 60.3 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 53.6 percentage. Sharks looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized American guard Mojave King (196-2002) who helped to win the game recording 28 points and forward Dominique Kelman-Poto (201-1994, college: Adelphi) who added 15 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Sharks' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was guard Dontae Nance (190-2005) with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Sharks maintains tenth position with 4-10 record. Huskies at the other side dropped to the third place with seven games lost. Sharks are looking forward to face higher ranked Airs in New Plymouth in the next round. Huskies will play on the road against Bulls in Pukekohe and are hoping to win this game.
Bulls (#4) were upset in Pukekohe by seventh ranked Hawks 80-70. The winners were led by the former international center Jack Salt (208-1996, college: Virginia) who scored that evening 16 points and 9 rebounds and Tajuan Agee supported him with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Even 19 points and 4 assists by the former international guard Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) did not help to save the game for Bulls. Bulls' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Hawks (8-7) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Nuggets. Bulls at the other side dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. Hawks will play against Saints (#8) in Wellington in the next round. Bulls will play at home against Huskies and hope to get back on the winning track.
NBL top team - Giants (11-4) had no problems winning another game on Wednesday. This time they crushed ninth ranked Jets (5-11) in Stoke 96-71. The best player for the winners was Sam Dempster who scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Giants' coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was Shane Temara who recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds. Giants have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 11-4 record. Jets lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 11 games lost. Giants will meet Rams (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Jets will play against Saints and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 12: Hawks were destroyed by Saints on the opponent's court 117-87. Jets unfortunately lost to Giants in a home game 84-88. Winless Airs managed to beat Rams on the road 87-70. Nuggets crushed Jets on its own court 103-76.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 25 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists by Todd Withers of Nuggets.

Giants - Jets 96-71

NBL top team - Giants (11-4) had no problems winning another game on Wednesday. This time they crushed ninth ranked Jets (5-11) in Stoke 96-71. Giants dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Jets' 30. Giants forced 25 Jets turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was swingman Sam Dempster (194-1990) who scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. American power forward Trey Mourning (206-1996, college: Georgetown, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 10 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Giants players scored in double figures. Giants' coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was naturalized American power forward Shane Temara (205-1995, college: N.Texas) who recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds and guard Tukaha Cooper (190-2002) added 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists respectively. Giants have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 11-4 record. Jets lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 11 games lost. Giants will meet Rams (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Jets will play against Saints and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Giants: N.Trathen 16+2reb+3ast, S.Thompson 14+2reb+3ast, S.Dempster 14+7reb+2ast, J.West 11+5ast, S.Jordan 10+7reb+1ast, T.Mourning 10+7reb+5ast
Jets: C.Tukaha 13+6reb+5ast, S.Klein 12+3reb+1ast, S.Temara 11+13reb+1ast, Z.Najdawi 8+4reb+4ast, R.Ben 8+2reb+1ast, M.Pafe 7+1reb+1ast

Saints - Hawks 117-87

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Wellington where 7th ranked Hawks (8-7) were crushed by eighth ranked Saints (6-8) 117-87 on Thursday. Saints forced 21 Hawks turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Mike Smith (180-1997, college: Michigan) who scored 23 points and 8 assists. Australian forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) chipped in 21 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-1992, college: Lincoln Trail) who recorded 24 points and 6 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) and the former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) added 18 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Five Saints and four Hawks players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion maintains eighth position with 6-8 record. Hawks lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Nuggets. Saints will meet Jets (#9) in the next round. Hawks will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Saints: M.Smith 23+2reb+8ast, X.Cooks 21+6reb+2ast, T.Samuel 19+5reb+1ast, R.Upshaw Jr. 17+8reb+3ast, T.Kenneth 14+5reb+5ast, T.Vodanovich 8+3reb
Hawks: E.Rusbatch 24+6reb+1ast, H.Harris 18+7reb+1ast, T.Agee 12+10reb+2ast, D.Raukawa 11+2reb+3ast, J.Salt 10+2reb, E.Bartlett 6+1ast

Tuatara - Sharks 91-103

The most important game in the last round took place in Auckland between second ranked Huskies (9-7) and tenth ranked Sharks (4-10) on Friday night. Huskies were defeated by Sharks at home 103-91. Sharks shot 60.3 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 53.6 percentage. Sharks looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized American guard Mojave King (196-2002) who helped to win the game recording 28 points and forward Dominique Kelman-Poto (201-1994, college: Adelphi) who added 15 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Four Sharks players scored in double figures. Sharks' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was guard Dontae Nance (190-2005) with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and American guard Siler Schneider (191-1995, college: UC Davis, agency: One Motive Sports) scored 23 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Sharks maintains tenth position with 4-10 record. Huskies at the other side dropped to the third place with seven games lost. Sharks are looking forward to face higher ranked Airs in New Plymouth in the next round. Huskies will play on the road against Bulls in Pukekohe and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Sharks: K.Mojave 28+3reb+3ast, A.Burton 20+2reb+2ast, D.Kelman-Poto 15+12reb+2ast, B.Inger 14+11reb+1ast, D.Leusogi-Ape 8+6ast, D.Knight 6+3reb+6ast
Tuatara: N.Dontae 26+8reb+7ast, S.Schneider 23+9reb+7ast, I.Braydon 18+3reb+3ast, R.Loe 8+5reb+3ast, D.Charlie 7+1reb+1ast, N.Barrow 4+6reb+1ast

Jets - Giants 84-88

Very predictable result in Palmerston North where first ranked Giants (11-4) defeated 9th ranked Jets (5-11) 88-84 on Saturday. Giants made 24-of-30 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American power forward Trey Mourning (206-1996, college: Georgetown, agency: Interperformances) who scored 27 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). The other American import forward Sam Thompson (200-1992, college: Ohio St.) chipped in 27 points and 5 rebounds. Four Giants players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Robert Crawford (198-1990, college: Cent Arkansas) who recorded 28 points and naturalized American power forward Shane Temara (205-1995, college: N.Texas) added 16 points and 12 rebounds respectively. Jets' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Giants have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 11-4 record. Jets lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 11 games lost. Giants will meet Rams (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Jets will play against Saints and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Giants: T.Mourning 27+7reb+2ast, S.Thompson 27+5reb+2ast, S.Dempster 14+7reb, J.West 11+6reb+13ast, T.Marsh 4+1reb, N.Trathen 3+2reb+1ast
Jets: R.Crawford 28+3reb+2ast, S.Temara 16+12reb+1ast, Z.Najdawi 12+15reb, S.Nathaniel 8+2reb+2ast, R.Ben 5+1reb+1ast, M.Pafe 5+2reb+1ast

Bulls - Hawks 70-80

Bulls (#4) were upset in Pukekohe by seventh ranked Hawks 80-70. They made 26-of-33 charity shots (78.8 percent) during the game, while Bulls only scored nine points from the stripe. The winners were led by the former international center Jack Salt (208-1996, college: Virginia) who scored that evening 16 points and 9 rebounds and American forward Tajuan Agee (206-1997, college: Iona) supported him with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Five Hawks players scored in double figures. Even 19 points and 4 assists by the former international guard Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) did not help to save the game for Bulls. The former international forward Leon Henry (200-1985, college: S.Idaho JC, agency: BIG) added 8 points and 11 rebounds. Bulls' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Hawks (8-7) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Nuggets. Bulls at the other side dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. Hawks will play against Saints (#8) in Wellington in the next round. Bulls will play at home against Huskies and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Hawks: T.Agee 20+6reb, E.Rusbatch 16+3reb+3ast, J.Salt 16+9reb+1ast, H.Harris 12+12reb, D.Raukawa 10+1reb+3ast, E.Bartlett 4+3reb+4ast
Bulls: C.Webster 19+4reb+4ast, J.Bezzant 12+4reb+2ast, L.Henry 8+11reb+1ast, A.Rissetto 8+4reb, M.Christian 7+2reb, D.Brooke 6+3reb+1ast

Rams - Airs 70-87

Not a big story in a game in Christchurch where 7th ranked Rams (7-8) were defeated by top-ranked Airs (0-0) 87-70 on Sunday. Airs made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. Airs outrebounded Rams 52-34 including a 41-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Airs made 8 blocks. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was forward Javonte Douglas (203-1992, college: Montevallo) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 17 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks. Swingman Anthony Hilliard (195-1986, college: ECSU) chipped in 19 points and 7 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Four Airs players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Matthew Moyer (203-1997, college: GWU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points and 15 rebounds and guard Larry Austin Jr (188-1996, college: CMU) added 18 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Rams' coach tested ten players seeing no chance for a win. Airs maintains th position with 0-0 record. Loser Rams keep the seventh place with eight games lost. Airs will meet Nuggets (#4) in the next round. Rams will play against the league's leader Giants and hope to secure a win.

Nuggets - Jets 103-76

Everything went according to plan in Dunedin where fifth ranked Nuggets (8-7) outscored 9th ranked Jets (5-11) 103-76 on Sunday. Nuggets made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Jets turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Nuggets made 8 blocks. The best player for the winners was American swingman Todd Withers (202-1996, college: Queens, NC) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. The other American import guard Keith Williams (196-1998, college: WKU) chipped in 24 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Jordanian forward Zane Najdawi (201-1996, college: Citadel) who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and 17 rebounds and American forward Robert Crawford (198-1990, college: Cent Arkansas) added 22 points and 7 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Nuggets moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Hawks. Jets lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 11 games lost. Nuggets will meet at home higher ranked Airs in the next round. Jets will play against Saints (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: T.Withers 25+10reb+4ast, K.Williams 24+5reb+2ast, T.Boyd III 18+7reb+5ast, B.Matthew 8+2reb+1ast, J.Aitcheson 8+7reb+2ast, A.Jack 7+5reb+1ast
Jets: R.Crawford 22+7reb+3ast, Z.Najdawi 22+17reb+1ast, S.Temara 9+3reb+1ast, C.Tukaha 9+1reb+2ast, F.Isaac 7+2reb+1ast, S.Nathaniel 5+5reb+1ast



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