NBL Round 17 (Regular Season): Rams keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Rams as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Rams defeated 4th placed Hawks in Christchurch 105-101. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hawks. Rams made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was international forward Walter Brown (194-2003) who scored 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. International guard Taylor Britt (188-1996, college: Southeast CC) chipped in 22 points. Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) produced a double-double by scoring 26 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for the guests. Rams (11-2) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Hawks at the other side keep the fourth place with seven games lost. Hawks will play next round against Giants trying to get back on the winning streak. Rams will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
The game in Tauranga was also worth to mention about. 6th ranked Bulls (8-8) played at the court of seventh ranked Tauranga (7-7). Tauranga managed to secure a 5-point victory 87-82. Australian swingman Sean Bairstow (203-2000, college: VCU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Kruz Perrott-Hunt contributed with 16 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winners. The former international guard Tobias Cameron (196-1999, college: ACU) answered with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists for Bulls. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Whai maintains seventh place with 7-7 record, which they share with Tuatara. Bulls lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with eight games lost. Whai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bulls will play at home against the league's second-placed Saints (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
A very close game took place in Palmerston North between Jets and Sharks. Third ranked Jets (10-5) got a very close home victory over 9th ranked Sharks (7-8). Jets managed to escape with a 3-point win 91-88 on Wednesday evening. Host team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. Dontae Russo-Nance stepped up and scored 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Jets' coach Tony Webster used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Keylan Boone responded with 29 points and 8 rebounds. Jets maintains third place with 10-5 record behind leader Panthers. Loser Sharks keep the ninth position with eight games lost. Jets will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sharks will play against Airs (#5) and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 17 Sharks defeated Airs in Southland 87-82. Saints beat Nuggets at home 91-79.



Jets - Sharks 91-88

A very close game took place in Palmerston North between Jets and Sharks. Third ranked Jets (10-5) got a very close home victory over 9th ranked Sharks (7-8). Jets managed to escape with a 3-point win 91-88 on Wednesday evening. Host team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. Jets dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Sharks' 32. Jets forced 19 Sharks turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Guard Dontae Russo-Nance (190-2005) stepped up and scored 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and American forward Miles Gibson (198-1998, college: Binghamton) chipped in 19 points and 7 rebounds. Jets' coach Tony Webster used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American forward Keylan Boone (203-2000, college: UNLV, agency: Interperformances) responded with 29 points and 8 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and the other American import guard Caleb Asberry (191-2000, college: OK State) scored 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Jets and four Sharks players scored in double figures. Jets maintains third place with 10-5 record behind leader Panthers. Loser Sharks keep the ninth position with eight games lost. Jets will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sharks will play against Airs (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Jets: D.Russo-Nance 21+6reb+5ast, M.Gibson 19+7reb+3ast, Q.Rose 18+3reb+6ast, K.Goins 11+5reb+3ast, I.Miller-Jose 11+5reb+4ast, T.Thata-Paese 5+2reb+1ast
Sharks: K.Boone 29+8reb+1ast, A.Burton 15+1reb+1ast, C.Asberry 14+6reb+6ast, J.Allick 10+5reb+5ast, S.Timmins 8+7reb+4ast, T.Cooper 8+4reb+2ast

Whai - Bulls 87-82

The game in Tauranga was also worth to mention about. 6th ranked Bulls (8-8) played at the court of seventh ranked Tauranga (7-7). Tauranga managed to secure a 5-point victory 87-82. Australian swingman Sean Bairstow (203-2000, college: VCU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt (191-2000, college: S.Dakota) contributed with 16 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winners. The former international guard Tobias Cameron (196-1999, college: ACU) answered with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists and American guard Tae Hardy (190-1998, college: UTEP) added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists in the effort for Bulls. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Whai maintains seventh place with 7-7 record, which they share with Tuatara. Bulls lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with eight games lost. Whai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bulls will play at home against the league's second-placed Saints (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Whai: K.Perrott-Hunt 16+5reb+2ast, M.King 15+5reb+3ast, S.Bairstow 14+9reb+5ast, A.Rissetto 14+6reb+1ast, C.Hopoi 14+8reb+1ast, J.Bezzant 7+3reb+1ast
Bulls: E.Rusbatch 18+5reb+1ast, T.Hardy 17+5reb+7ast, D.Okwera 14+3reb+2ast, T.Cameron 12+11reb+7ast, T.Gloger 11+8reb+1ast, J.Hunt 8+3reb

Airs - Sharks 82-87

There was an upset in New Plymouth where higher ranked Airs (8-5) were defeated by ninth ranked Sharks (7-8) 87-82 on Friday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Sharks made 7 blocks. American forward Keylan Boone (203-2000, college: UNLV, agency: Interperformances) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import guard Caleb Asberry (191-2000, college: OK State) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. American Armon Fletcher (196-1995, college: SIU) responded with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and Australian-German forward Craig Moller (203-1994) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds. Four Airs players scored in double figures. Sharks maintains ninth place with 7-8 record. Loser Airs keep the fifth position with five games lost. Sharks will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Airs will play again against Sharks (#9) in Southland and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sharks: J.Allick 24+5reb+2ast, K.Boone 23+13reb, C.Asberry 18+5reb+8ast, S.Timmins 8+9reb+2ast, T.Cooper 5+1ast, A.Burton 5+1reb
Airs: A.Fletcher 18+8reb+5ast, J.Andrew 15+7reb+1ast, C.Davison 14+3reb+6ast, C.Moller 11+12reb+3ast, J.Exeter 9+1reb, D.Kelman-Poto 8+4reb+1ast

Saints - Nuggets 91-79

No shocking result in a game in Wellington where second ranked Saints (11-4) defeated 11th ranked Nuggets (3-12) 91-79 on Saturday. Saints made 30-of-36 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game, while Nuggets only scored eight points from the stripe. They outrebounded Nuggets 40-29 including 30 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Saints made 7 blocks. Australian swingman Nick Marshall (198-1999, college: Clarke) stepped up and scored 24 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and the former international forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) chipped in 15 points and 13 rebounds. American forward Jaylen Sebree (201-1997, college: Tenn Tech) responded with 22 points and 9 rebounds and the former international Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college: HPU) scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Five Saints and four Nuggets players scored in double figures. Saints maintains second place with 11-4 record having just two point less than leader Panthers. Nuggets lost their tenth game in a row. They keep the eleventh position with 12 games lost. Saints will meet Bulls (#6) in the next round. Nuggets will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Saints: N.Marshall 24+7reb+1ast, J.Ngatai 18+1reb, N.Muszynski 17+11reb, H.Harris 15+13reb+3ast, I.Le'afa 12+5reb+6ast, S.Gold 5+2reb
Nuggets: J.Sebree 22+9reb+2ast, J.Janssen 15+6reb+3ast, D.Carey 15+5reb+3ast, M.Bardsley 10+2reb+1ast, C.Smiler 9+2reb+1ast, J.Aitcheson 4+3reb+1ast

Rams - Hawks 105-101

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Rams as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Rams defeated 4th placed Hawks in Christchurch 105-101. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hawks. Rams made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was international forward Walter Brown (194-2003) who scored 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. International guard Taylor Britt (188-1996, college: Southeast CC) chipped in 22 points. Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) produced a double-double by scoring 26 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and the former international guard Jackson Ball (191-2008) added 25 points respectively for the guests. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Rams (11-2) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Hawks at the other side keep the fourth place with seven games lost. Hawks will play next round against Giants trying to get back on the winning streak. Rams will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Top scorers:
Rams: W.Brown 22+6reb+4ast, T.Britt 22+1reb+3ast, S.Macdonald 18+4reb+3ast, M.Darling 12+6reb, K.Bowen 12+6reb+4ast, C.Penha 10+4reb+1ast
Hawks: D.Grida 26+15reb+4ast, J.Ball 25+1ast, L.Yates 11+8reb+2ast, B.Alston 10+5ast, K.Treacher 10+1reb, C.Scott 10+1reb+1ast