NBL Round 9: Mountain Airs lose to Huskies

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Top ranked Mountain Airs (7-4) recorded its fourth loss in Hobart on Thursday night. Visitors were edged by fifth ranked Huskies (5-5) 102-99. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Mountain Airs. Huskies made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international power forward Tohi Smith-Milner (206-95, college: Polk State CC) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 21 rebounds. The former international forward Leon Henry (200-85, college: S.Idaho JC) chipped in 21 points and 14 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-85, college: Oregon St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds. Mountain Airs' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Huskies maintains fifth place with 5-5 record. Mountain Airs at the other side still keep top position with four games lost. Huskies are looking forward to face Giants (#6) in Stoke in the next round. Mountain Airs will play on the road against Jets (#4) in Palmerston North and are hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Christchurch. Fourth ranked Nuggets (6-4) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 7th ranked Rams (3-8) 75-74 on Thursday evening. It was a good game for the former international forward Jordan Ngatai (196-93, college: BYU-Hawaii) who saved his team from a defeat with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Jarrod Kenny contributed with 11 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Naturalized Swiss guard Samuel Smith (196-96, college: Texas Wesleyan) answered with 22 points and 4 assists for Rams. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Nuggets moved-up to second place, which they share with Jets and Bulls. Rams lost eighth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. Nuggets will play against Bulls (#3) in Pukekohe in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Rams will play on the road against Giants (#6) in Stoke and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Christchurch between Jets and Rams. Fourth ranked Jets (6-4) got a very close victory on the road over 7th ranked Rams (3-8). Jets managed to escape with a 3-point win 101-98 on Wednesday evening. Thomas Vodanovich stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. The best for the losing side was Quintin Bailey with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Rams' coach Mick Downer tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Jets moved-up to second place, which they share with Nuggets and Bulls. Rams lost eighth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. Jets will meet at home league's leader Mountain Airs in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Rams will play against Giants (#6) in Stoke and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Stoke was also worth to mention about. Third ranked Bulls (6-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Giants (3-7). Bulls defeated Giants 82-70. Dominique Kelman-Poto nailed 26 points and 9 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bulls moved-up to second place, which they share with Jets and Nuggets. Giants lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with seven games lost. Bulls' next round opponent will be league's second-placed Nuggets in Dunedin and it will be for sure the game of the week. Giants will play at home against Huskies (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rams - Jets 98-101

A very close game took place in Christchurch between Jets and Rams. Fourth ranked Jets (6-4) got a very close victory on the road over 7th ranked Rams (3-8). Jets managed to escape with a 3-point win 101-98 on Wednesday evening. Jets made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Jets made 7 blocks. International forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-94, college: JMU) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds for the winners and guard Jayden Bezzant (188-96, college: NW Nazarene) chipped in 27 points and 4 assists. Four Jets players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was forward Quintin Bailey (201-97, college: John Brown) with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field) and international guard Taylor Britt (188-96, college: Southeast CC) scored 25 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. Rams' coach Mick Downer tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Jets moved-up to second place, which they share with Nuggets and Bulls. Rams lost eighth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. Jets will meet at home league's leader Mountain Airs in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Rams will play against Giants (#6) in Stoke and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rams: Q.Bailey 28+10reb+3ast, T.Britt 25+7reb+9ast, W.Thomas 17+4reb+2ast, R.Te Rangi 10, C.Benjamin 5+7reb+2ast, S.Smith 5+5reb+3ast
Jets: J.Bezzant 27+2reb+4ast, T.Vodanovich 23+13reb+3ast, T.Samuel 20+9reb+2ast, N.Kirksey 19+2reb+2ast, A.McQueen 6+2reb+1ast, N.Fee 6+3reb+2ast

Giants - Bulls 70-82

The game in Stoke was also worth to mention about. Third ranked Bulls (6-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Giants (3-7). Bulls defeated Giants 82-70. Forward Dominique Kelman-Poto (201-94, college: Adelphi) nailed 26 points and 9 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winning side and forward Isaac Davidson (201-97, college: Sonoma St.) accounted for 16 points. Guard Tom Ingham (189-93) came up with 18 points and guard Dane Brooks (188-96, college: Harcum CC) added 9 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Giants in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bulls moved-up to second place, which they share with Jets and Nuggets. Giants lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with seven games lost. Bulls' next round opponent will be league's second-placed Nuggets in Dunedin and it will be for sure the game of the week. Giants will play at home against Huskies (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Giants: T.Ingham 18+4reb, N.Trathen 15+2reb+1ast, T.Johnson 10+1ast, D.Brooks 9+8reb+1ast, A.Tysxun 5+4reb+3ast, M.Alexander 4+1reb+7ast
Bulls: D.Kelman-Poto 26+9reb+3ast, I.Davidson 16+3reb+2ast, M.Chris 10+1ast, S.Vaiangina 8+4reb+1ast, S.Timmins 7+5reb+1ast, E.Bartlett 6+1reb

Huskies - Mountainairs 102-99

Top ranked Mountain Airs (7-4) recorded its fourth loss in Hobart on Thursday night. Visitors were edged by fifth ranked Huskies (5-5) 102-99. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Mountain Airs. Huskies made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international power forward Tohi Smith-Milner (206-95, college: Polk State CC) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 21 rebounds. The former international forward Leon Henry (200-85, college: S.Idaho JC) chipped in a double-double by scoring 21 points and 14 rebounds. Four Huskies players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-85, college: Oregon St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds and the former international guard Derone Raukawa (181-94) added 28 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) respectively. Mountain Airs' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Huskies maintains fifth place with 5-5 record. Mountain Airs at the other side still keep top position with four games lost. Huskies are looking forward to face Giants (#6) in Stoke in the next round. Mountain Airs will play on the road against Jets (#4) in Palmerston North and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Mountainairs: M.Jones 36+17reb+2ast, D.Raukawa 28+6reb+8ast, S.Temara 15+8reb+2ast, T.Kenneth 6+6reb, T.Wynyard 6+4reb, D.Brooke 4+7reb
Huskies: T.Murray 28, T.Smith-Milner 22+21reb+3ast, I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 21+6reb+6ast, L.Henry 21+14reb+3ast, F.Reuben 4+6reb+2ast, N.Wilson 4+1reb+1ast

Rams - Nuggets 74-75

Important game to mention about took place in Christchurch. Fourth ranked Nuggets (6-4) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 7th ranked Rams (3-8) 75-74 on Thursday evening. Nuggets forced 20 Rams turnovers. Strangely Rams outrebounded Nuggets 42-26 including 33 on the defensive glass. It was a good game for the former international forward Jordan Ngatai (196-93, college: BYU-Hawaii) who saved his team from a defeat with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international guard Jarrod Kenny (188-85) contributed with 11 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Naturalized Swiss guard Samuel Smith (196-96, college: Texas Wesleyan) answered with 22 points and 4 assists and Alex Talma (203-94, college: Biola, CA) added 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Rams. Four Rams players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Nuggets moved-up to second place, which they share with Jets and Bulls. Rams lost eighth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. Nuggets will play against Bulls (#3) in Pukekohe in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Rams will play on the road against Giants (#6) in Stoke and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rams: S.Smith 22+4reb+4ast, A.Talma 14+8reb+4ast, T.Britt 12+5reb+3ast, W.Thomas 12+5reb, R.Te Rangi 5+2reb, Q.Bailey 4+7reb
Nuggets: J.Ngatai 25+5reb+4ast, J.Aitcheson 12+2reb+2ast, J.Kenny 11+5reb+2ast, K.Keil 9+3reb+2ast, S.Aruwa 5+1reb, D.Knox 4+3reb+1ast



Tags : TOHI SMITH-MILNER, AUCKLAND HUSKIES, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL