NBL Round 7: Jets lose to Nuggets

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game between third ranked Jets (4-4) and fourth ranked Nuggets (4-3) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Jets were crushed by Nuggets in Dunedin 94-130. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Jets. Nuggets forced 20 Jets turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Kane Keil (198-97, college: Antelope Valley) who helped to win the game recording 29 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international forward Jordan Ngatai (196-93, college: BYU-Hawaii) contributed with 23 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Guard Jayden Bezzant (188-96, college: NW Nazarene) answered with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for Jets. 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 third place. Jets at the other side dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. Nuggets are looking forward to face league's leader Mountain Airs in New Plymouth in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Jets will play at home against Huskies and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Huskies managed to get the second consecutive victory. This time they won against seventh-ranked Rams in Hobart 88-81. It was a great evening for the former international forward Leon Henry (200-85, college: S.Idaho JC) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 14 rebounds. Taine Murray helped adding 19 points and 5 rebounds. At the losing side international guard Taylor Britt (188-96, college: Southeast CC) responded with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Huskies (3-4) moved-up to fifth place. Rams lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with six games lost. Huskies will play against league's second-placed Bulls in Pukekohe in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Rams will have a break next round.
NBL top team - Mountain Airs (6-3) added another victory to their record on Thursday. This time they beat fifth ranked Giants (3-5) in New Plymouth 95-88. It was a quality performance for Marcel Jones who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists. Dane Brooks came up with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for Giants in the defeat. Giants' coach Michael Fitchett rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Mountain Airs have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 6-3 record. Loser Giants dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. Mountain Airs will meet at home Nuggets (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Giants will play against Nuggets in Dunedin and hope to secure a win.
NBL top team - Mountain Airs (6-3) added another victory to their record. This time they beat seventh ranked Rams (3-6) in Christchurch 97-92. Marcel Jones fired a double-double by scoring 25 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Mountain Airs have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 6-3 record. Rams lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with six games lost. Mountain Airs' next round opponent will be Nuggets (#3) in Dunedin, which may be the game of the day.

Mountainairs - Giants 95-88

NBL top team - Mountain Airs (6-3) added another victory to their record on Thursday. This time they beat fifth ranked Giants (3-5) in New Plymouth 95-88. Mountain Airs made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Mountain Airs outrebounded Giants 51-39 including 16 on the offensive glass. It was a quality performance for naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-85, college: Oregon St.) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international guard Derone Raukawa (181-94) accounted for 24 points and 7 assists (made all of his thirteen free throws !!!) for the winning side. Guard Dane Brooks (188-96, college: Harcum CC) came up with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and swingman Zeb Lovell (197-93) added 11 points and 12 rebounds respectively for Giants in the defeat. Four Mountain Airs and five Giants players scored in double figures. Giants' coach Michael Fitchett rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Mountain Airs have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 6-3 record. Loser Giants dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. Mountain Airs will meet at home Nuggets (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Giants will play against Nuggets in Dunedin and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Giants: D.Brooks 23+8reb+6ast, T.Ingham 18+4reb+1ast, A.Tysxun 11+2reb+3ast, Z.Lovell 11+12reb+1ast, M.Karena 10+5reb+2ast, L.Joshua 6+4reb+1ast
Mountainairs: D.Raukawa 24+3reb+7ast, M.Jones 21+16reb+4ast, T.Wynyard 14+8reb+3ast, T.Kenneth 10+13reb+1ast, D.Mitchell 7+3reb+1ast, Z.Easthope 7+2reb

Huskies - Rams 88-81

Bottom-ranked Huskies managed to get the second consecutive victory. This time they won against seventh-ranked Rams in Hobart 88-81. Huskies brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. It was a great evening for the former international forward Leon Henry (200-85, college: S.Idaho JC) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 14 rebounds. International Taine Murray (196-2) helped adding 19 points and 5 rebounds. At the losing side international guard Taylor Britt (188-96, college: Southeast CC) responded with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Alex Talma (203-94, college: Biola, CA) scored 8 points and 14 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Huskies (3-4) moved-up to fifth place. Rams lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with six games lost. Huskies will play against league's second-placed Bulls in Pukekohe in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Rams will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Rams: T.Britt 21+6reb+4ast, W.Thomas 15+6reb+2ast, C.Benjamin 14+7reb, S.Smith 12+2reb+1ast, A.Talma 8+14reb+2ast, M.Stodart 7
Huskies: T.Murray 19+5reb+2ast, I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 19+2reb+3ast, L.Henry 17+14reb+2ast, N.Wilson 10+3reb, J.Gerrand 8+1reb+1ast, T.Smith-Milner 5+7reb

Nuggets - Jets 130-94

The game between third ranked Jets (4-4) and fourth ranked Nuggets (4-3) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Jets were crushed by Nuggets in Dunedin 94-130. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Jets. Nuggets forced 20 Jets turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Kane Keil (198-97, college: Antelope Valley) who helped to win the game recording 29 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international forward Jordan Ngatai (196-93, college: BYU-Hawaii) contributed with 23 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Guard Jayden Bezzant (188-96, college: NW Nazarene) answered with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-94, college: JMU) added 18 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Jets. Both teams had five players each who 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. Nuggets moved-up to third place. Jets at the other side dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. Nuggets are looking forward to face league's leader Mountain Airs in New Plymouth in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Jets will play at home against Huskies and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Jets: T.Vodanovich 18+8reb+2ast, J.Bezzant 18+6reb+5ast, T.Samuel 14+4reb+2ast, A.McQueen 11+3reb, N.Kirksey 11+5reb+3ast, N.Fee 9+1ast
Nuggets: K.Keil 29+6reb+4ast, J.Ngatai 23+9reb+4ast, J.Hunt 22+2reb+3ast, J.Kenny 13+3reb+7ast, J.Aitcheson 10+3reb+4ast, B.Matthew 8+1reb+1ast

Rams - Mountainairs 92-97

NBL top team - Mountain Airs (6-3) added another victory to their record. This time they beat seventh ranked Rams (3-6) in Christchurch 97-92. Mountain Airs brought some defensive toughness making 8 blocks. Naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-85, college: Oregon St.) fired a double-double by scoring 25 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. The former international guard Derone Raukawa (181-94) chipped in 26 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. International guard Taylor Britt (188-96, college: Southeast CC) produced 31 points and forward Quintin Bailey (201-97, college: John Brown) added 14 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Mountain Airs and five Rams players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Mountain Airs have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 6-3 record. Rams lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with six games lost. Mountain Airs' next round opponent will be Nuggets (#3) in Dunedin, which may be the game of the day.
Top scorers:
Rams: T.Britt 31+4reb+1ast, Q.Bailey 14+10reb+3ast, S.Smith 13+7reb+2ast, A.Talma 12+8reb+3ast, C.Benjamin 11+1reb+3ast, W.Thomas 7+5reb
Mountainairs: D.Raukawa 26+1reb+6ast, M.Jones 25+16reb+3ast, S.Temara 12+8reb+1ast, D.Mitchell 10+1reb, T.Kenneth 7+2reb+2ast, N.Joseph 5+1reb



Tags : KANE KEIL, OTAGO OCEANAGOLD NUGGETS, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL