NBL Round 8 (Regular Season): Panthers still unable to win any game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Bottom-ranked Panthers (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 114-71 loss to seventh ranked Tuatara (5-3) in Auckland on Friday evening. They dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Panthers' 32. They outrebounded Panthers 51-30 including a 38-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tuatara looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Panthers' players. The best player for the winners was Australian guard William Hickey (194-1999) who scored 20 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. American guard Charles Pride (193-1999, college: St.Bonaventure) chipped in 21 points. Cooper Lepou produced 21 points for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tuatara have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place. Newly promoted Panthers still closes the standings with seven games lost. Tuatara will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panthers will play at home against Hawks (#7) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Bottom-ranked Giants (0-6) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 85-81 loss to fifth ranked Tauranga (5-2) in Nelson. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. The former international forward Carter Hopoi (207-2006) orchestrated the victory by scoring 19 points and 7 rebounds. Chris Jones contributed with 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Australian forward Callum Dalton (206-2000) replied with 22 points and 8 rebounds for Giants. Giants' coach Michael Fitchett rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Whai moved-up to second place, which they share with Rams and Bulls. Giants at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Whai will play against Sharks (#10) in Southland in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Giants will have a break next round.
The game in Dunedin was also quite interesting. Third ranked Saints (6-2) played at the court of 8th ranked Nuggets (3-4). Saints defeated Nuggets 111-99 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of Shea Ili who helped to win the game recording 31 points and 8 assists. Donald Carey responded with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Nuggets' coach Mike Kelly tested twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Saints have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Loser Nuggets dropped to the ninth place with four games lost. Saints will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nuggets will play against the league's second-placed Bulls (#2) and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 8 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Jets were defeated by Rams in Christchurch 92-81. Tuatara beat Hawks at home 106-97. Airs lost to Jets on the opponent's court 106-111.
The best stats of 8th round was 35 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 9 assists by Owen Foxwell of Airs.



Tuatara - Panthers 114-71

Bottom-ranked Panthers (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 114-71 loss to seventh ranked Tuatara (5-3) in Auckland on Friday evening. They dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Panthers' 32. They outrebounded Panthers 51-30 including a 38-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tuatara looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Panthers' players. The best player for the winners was Australian guard William Hickey (194-1999) who scored 20 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. American guard Charles Pride (193-1999, college: St.Bonaventure) chipped in 21 points. Five Tuatara players scored in double figures. Cooper Lepou produced 21 points and Indian forward Aaron Blessen (192-2002) added 9 points respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tuatara have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place. Newly promoted Panthers still closes the standings with seven games lost. Tuatara will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panthers will play at home against Hawks (#7) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: C.Pride 21+4reb+3ast, W.Hickey 20+8reb+7ast, R.Loe 15+5reb+3ast, D.Wilkie 14+4reb, B.Tuach 13+2reb+4ast, T.Vodanovich 12+7reb+2ast
Panthers: C.Lepou 21+3reb+1ast, A.Blessen 9+3reb+2ast, J.Gerrand 8+2ast, L.Henry 8+5reb, R.Laumatia 7+1reb+1ast, T.Singh 6+1ast

Rams - Jets 92-81

There was no surprise in Christchurch where 9th ranked Jets (4-4) were defeated by fifth ranked Rams (5-2) 92-81 on Friday. Rams outrebounded Jets 51-39 including 37 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Rams made 9 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian forward Kyle Bowen (203-2000, college: SMC) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists and international guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) who added 21 points and 9 assists during the contest. Guard Dontae Russo-Nance (190-2005) responded with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists and the former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Five Rams and four Jets players scored in double figures. Jets' coach Tony Webster tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Bulls and Whai. Loser Jets dropped to the eighth position with four games lost. Rams will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Jets will play against Hawks (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rams: T.Britt 21+3reb+9ast, K.Bowen 17+16reb+5ast, W.Brown 13+5reb+2ast, T.Smith-Milner 11+14reb+1ast, C.Penha 11+7reb, T.Isaac 10+3reb+3ast
Jets: D.Russo-Nance 22+9reb+7ast, C.Webster 16+5reb+3ast, K.Goins 14+5reb+1ast, E.Williams Jr. 12+4reb+1ast, I.Miller-Jose 9+3reb, T.Matambanadzo 4+1reb+1ast

Nuggets - Saints 99-111

The game in Dunedin was also quite interesting. Third ranked Saints (6-2) played at the court of 8th ranked Nuggets (3-4). Saints defeated Nuggets 111-99 on Saturday. Saints looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Shea Ili (184-1992) who helped to win the game recording 31 points and 8 assists and the former international forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) who added 24 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals during the contest. American guard Donald Carey (196-1999, college: Maryland) responded with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and Dominican forward Jose Perez (196-1998, college: Arizona St.) scored 19 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Nuggets' coach Mike Kelly tested twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Saints have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Loser Nuggets dropped to the ninth place with four games lost. Saints will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nuggets will play against the league's second-placed Bulls (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Saints: S.Ili 31+4reb+8ast, H.Harris 24+13reb+5ast, N.Marshall 15+4reb+3ast, R.Dougall-Mita 14+2reb, I.Le'afa 13+1reb+6ast, N.Muszynski 9+9reb+2ast
Nuggets: D.Carey 26+8reb+8ast, J.Janssen 20+4reb, J.Perez 19+4reb+4ast, J.Sebree 12+7reb+3ast, D.Knox 8+5reb+1ast, C.Martin 6+1reb

Giants - Whai 81-85

Bottom-ranked Giants (0-6) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 85-81 loss to fifth ranked Tauranga (5-2) in Nelson. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. The former international forward Carter Hopoi (207-2006) orchestrated the victory by scoring 19 points and 7 rebounds. American point guard Chris Jones (178-1991, college: Louisville, agency: Haylett Sports) contributed with 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Four Tauranga players scored in double figures. Australian forward Callum Dalton (206-2000) replied with 22 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Donald Robinson (192-1989, college: WVU Tech) added 14 points and 7 assists in the effort for Giants. Giants' coach Michael Fitchett rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Whai moved-up to second place, which they share with Rams and Bulls. Giants at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Whai will play against Sharks (#10) in Southland in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Giants will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Whai: C.Jones 20+5reb+2ast, C.Hopoi 19+7reb+2ast, S.Bairstow 15+5reb+5ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 14+3reb+5ast, T.Zanna 9+3reb+1ast, T.Tuhi Lewis 3
Giants: C.Dalton 22+8reb, D.Robinson 14+4reb+7ast, L.Crate 10+3reb, B.Johnson 9+4reb, L.Judd 7+2reb+1ast, A.McNaught 7+3reb+1ast

Tuatara - Hawks 106-97

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Auckland where seventh ranked Tuatara (5-3) defeated 6th ranked Hawks (4-3) 106-97 on Sunday. Tuatara made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian guard William Hickey (194-1999) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and American guard Charles Pride (193-1999, college: St.Bonaventure) who added 20 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Tuatara's coach Cameron Gliddon used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) responded with 33 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 4 blocks and naturalized Australian power forward Luca Yates (208-2004, college: Barry) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds. Five Tuatara and four Hawks players scored in double figures. Tuatara have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place. Loser Hawks keep the sixth position with three games lost. They share it with Airs. Tuatara will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hawks will play against Jets (#8) in Palmerston North and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: W.Hickey 31+11reb+10ast, B.Tuach 23+3reb, C.Pride 20+5reb+2ast, R.Loe 13+11reb+2ast, T.Vodanovich 11+7reb+4ast, C.McIntosh 6+1reb+1ast
Hawks: D.Grida 33+7reb+2ast, J.Ball 16+2reb+2ast, W.Swaka 10+3reb+2ast, L.Yates 10+13reb, D.Cowart 8+5reb, C.Scott 8+4ast

Jets - Airs 111-106

There was a minor upset in Palmerston North where 6th ranked Airs (4-3) were defeated by ninth ranked Jets (4-4) 111-106 on Sunday. Jets looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Miles Gibson (198-1998, college: Binghamton) who helped to win the game recording 31 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import Kenny Goins (201-1996, college: Michigan St., agency: Players Group) who added 19 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. Jets' coach Tony Webster used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Australian guard Owen Foxwell (188-2003) responded with 35 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 9 assists and American Armon Fletcher (196-1995, college: SIU) scored 17 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Jets moved-up to eighth place. Loser Airs keep the sixth position with three games lost. They share it with Hawks. Jets will meet at home higher ranked Hawks (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Airs will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Jets: M.Gibson 31+9reb+2ast, D.Russo-Nance 22+3reb+2ast, C.Webster 21+3reb+7ast, K.Goins 19+9reb+8ast, E.Williams Jr. 9+4reb+1ast, I.Miller-Jose 8+6reb+3ast
Airs: O.Foxwell 35+5reb+9ast, H.Froling 18+4reb+1ast, A.Fletcher 17+4reb+3ast, J.Andrew 15+6reb+1ast, Q.Bailey 10+5reb, C.Davison 9+6reb+7ast