NBL Round 1: Bulls lose to Hawks

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

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Bulls in Pukekohe on Thursday night. Hosts were defeated by Hawks 84-79. The former international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-1992, college: Lincoln Trail) fired 29 points for the winners. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) chipped in 12 points and 13 rebounds. American guard Rickey McGill (188-1997, college: Iona) produced 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Bulls' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Hawks are looking forward to face Airs in New Plymouth in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Bulls will play on the road against Giants in Stoke and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another exciting game was played in Stoke between Huskies and Giants where Huskies beat Giants on the road 91-86. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Reuben Te Rangi contributed with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. South Sudanese-Australian center Matur Maker (208-1998) answered with 20 points and 9 rebounds for Giants. Giants' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Huskies will play against Airs in New Plymouth in the next round. Giants will play at home against Bulls and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Wellington was also quite interesting. Hawks played at the court of Saints. Hawks defeated Saints 88-74 on Saturday. Jordan Ngatai stepped up and scored 30 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. At the losing side Taane Samuel responded with 19 points. Saints' coach let to play twelve players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hawks will meet at home Airs in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Saints will play against Bulls and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 1 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
winless Jets lost to undefeated Sharks in Southland 87-96. Nuggets beat Jets at home 68-67. Winless Airs lost to undefeated Rams on the opponent's court 82-94.
The best stats of 1st round was 18 points and 10 rebounds by Anzac Rissetto of Airs.

Bulls - Hawks 79-84

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Bulls in Pukekohe on Thursday night. Hosts were defeated by Hawks 84-79. The former international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-1992, college: Lincoln Trail) fired 29 points for the winners. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds. Five Hawks players scored in double figures. American guard Rickey McGill (188-1997, college: Iona) produced 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) added 14 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Bulls' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Hawks are looking forward to face Airs in New Plymouth in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Bulls will play on the road against Giants in Stoke and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hawks: E.Rusbatch 29+4reb+3ast, H.Harris 12+13reb+2ast, J.Ngatai 11+7reb+5ast, J.Hunt 10+7reb, D.Raukawa 10+3reb+2ast, D.Brooke 5+7reb
Bulls: R.McGill 23+7reb+4ast, D.Fotu 15+5reb+1ast, T.Harrison 14+10reb+2ast, I.Davidson 9+4reb+1ast, J.Bezzant 7, J.Brantley 6+5reb+2ast

Sharks - Jets 96-87

There was a minor upset in Southland where Jets were defeated by Sharks 96-87 on Friday. Sharks dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Jets' 34. American guard Jeremy Kendle (186-1988, college: Bellarmine) stepped up and scored 22 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners and Australian forward Grant Anticevich (206-1999, college: California) chipped in 23 points and 13 rebounds. Four Sharks players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Danny Pippen (206-1997, college: Kent St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds and swingman Liam Judd (196-2001) scored 22 points and 5 rebounds. Sharks will meet Nuggets in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Jets will play against Rams in Christchurch and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Sharks: G.Anticevich 23+13reb+2ast, J.Kendle 22+9reb+8ast, A.Burton 17+2reb+2ast, D.Leusogi-Ape 14+2reb+2ast, J.Helu 9, R.Gill 6+2reb+1ast
Jets: D.Pippen 28+10reb+1ast, J.Liam 22+5reb+1ast, J.Stent 9+4reb+2ast, M.Pafe 7+2reb+3ast, L.Simon 6+3reb+1ast, S.Campbell 6+4reb+1ast

Giants - Tuatara 86-91

Another exciting game was played in Stoke between Huskies and Giants where Huskies beat Giants on the road 91-86. Giants were plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. The former international swingman Reuben Te Rangi (198-1994) contributed with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. South Sudanese-Australian center Matur Maker (208-1998) answered with 20 points and 9 rebounds and forward Samuel Dempster (194-1990) added 13 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Giants. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Giants' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Huskies will play against Airs in New Plymouth in the next round. Giants will play at home against Bulls and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: R.Te Rangi 25+6reb+4ast, J.Weeks 20+9reb+3ast, R.Loe 19+13reb+5ast, D.Charlie 12+2ast, C.Gliddon 6+3reb+4ast, N.Barrow 5+1reb+1ast
Giants: M.Maker 20+9reb+1ast, A.Woodson 14+1reb+2ast, T.Marsh 14+7reb+1ast, S.Dempster 13+10reb+1ast, A.Tysxun 6+2reb+1ast, N.Trathen 6+4reb

Saints - Hawks 74-88

The game in Wellington was also quite interesting. Hawks played at the court of Saints. Hawks defeated Saints 88-74 on Saturday. They outrebounded Saints 40-28 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. The former international forward Jordan Ngatai (196-1993, college: BYU-Hawaii, agency: BIG) stepped up and scored 30 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and international power forward Jordan Hunt (206-1997, college: S.Oregon) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Four Hawks players scored in double figures. At the losing side the former international forward Taane Samuel (200-1999) responded with 19 points and American guard Marlon Taylor (195-1997, college: LSU) scored 12 points. Saints' coach let to play twelve players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hawks will meet at home Airs in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Saints will play against Bulls and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hawks: J.Ngatai 30+7reb+2ast, D.Raukawa 17+1reb+1ast, J.Hunt 16+5reb+2ast, E.Rusbatch 12+9reb+1ast, H.Harris 6+11reb+4ast, J.Kenny 5+5reb+4ast
Saints: T.Samuel 19+4reb, D.Rangimarie 12, M.Taylor 12+4reb, T.Vodanovich 7+8reb+1ast, T.Kenneth 7+3reb+2ast, B.Carter 7+2ast

Nuggets - Jets 68-67

No shocking result in a game in Dunedin where Nuggets edged Jets 68-67 on Sunday. However just one-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Nuggets dominated down low during the game scoring 40 of its points in the paint compared to Jets' 16. The former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and American guard Jaquori McLaughlin (193-1998, college: UCSB, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Nuggets players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Danny Pippen (206-1997, college: Kent St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks and guard Tukaha Cooper (191-2002) scored 17 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Nuggets will meet at home Sharks in the next round. Jets will play against Rams in Christchurch and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: S.Timmins 17+11reb+3ast, T.Withers 17+4reb+1ast, J.McLaughlin 15+7reb+4ast, M.Harris 12+6reb, C.Robbert 3+7reb+2ast, J.Aitcheson 3+2reb
Jets: D.Pippen 29+18reb+3ast, C.Tukaha 17+4reb+1ast, S.Campbell 6+1reb+1ast, M.Pafe 5+6reb+8ast, L.Simon 5+4reb, J.Liam 3+3reb+1ast

Rams - Airs 94-82

Rams used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from New Plymouth 94-82 on Sunday night. American Troy Baxter Jr (206-1996, college: Morgan St.) stepped up and scored 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import guard Tevin Brown (196-1998, college: Murray St.) chipped in 16 points and 4 assists. Rams' coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side the former international power forward Anzac Rissetto (208-2001, college: Charlotte) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and American guard David Azore (194-1999, college: UT Arlington) scored 20 points and 5 rebounds. Rams will meet at home Jets in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Airs will play against Hawks in Tamatea and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Rams: T.Baxter Jr. 20+5reb+2ast, T.Brown 16+4reb+4ast, T.Britt 13+2reb+5ast, B.Walter 10+1reb+1ast, J.Wilson-Frame 10+4reb+2ast, M.Darling 9+8reb
Airs: D.Azore 20+5reb+3ast, A.Fletcher 18+4reb+1ast, A.Rissetto 18+10reb+2ast, R.Rodger 8+2reb+3ast, F.Benji 8+6reb+1ast, Q.Bailey 6+3reb



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