NBL Round 2: Huskies keep a leadership position

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it's still very beginning of the Regular Season in NBL. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Huskies edged Giants in Hobart 90-87. Americans were the main players on the court. Power forward Chris Johnson (210-85, college: LSU) had a double-double by scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) to lead the charge for the winners and guard Jeremy Kendle (186-88, college: Bellarmine) chipped in 23 points and 7 assists during the contest. Huskies' coach Aaron Young used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Guard Hunter Hale (192-97, college: Winthrop) responded with 32 points. Giants will play next round against strong Hawks trying to get back on the winning streak. Huskies will try to continue on its current victory against Sharks in Southland.
Very important is a home loss of Bulls against Giants on Saturday night. Host Bulls were defeated by Giants in Pukekohe 107-94. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. Guard Hunter Hale (192-97, college: Winthrop) notched 26 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals to lead the effort and Donte Ingram supported him with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 36 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists by point guard Josh Selby (188-91, college: Kansas) did not help to save the game for Bulls. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Giants will play against Hawks in Tamatea in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Bulls will play at home against Sharks and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Wellington. host Saints smashed Sharks 105-73. The best player for the winners was Dion Prewster who scored 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Dominique Kelman-Poto produced 11 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists 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. Saints will meet at home Giants in the next round where they are favorite. Sharks will play against Huskies in Hobart and hope to secure a win.
The game in Tamatea was also worth to mention about. Sharks played at the court of Hawks. Hawks defeated Sharks 85-73. Derone Raukawa orchestrated the victory by scoring 28 points and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Hawks' next round opponent will be Giants in Stoke. Sharks will play on the road against Huskies in Hobart and hope to win that game.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 2: Bulls won against Mountainairs on the opponent's court 101-85. Rams managed to outperform Jets in a home game 87-76. Winless Jets recorded a loss to Nuggets on the road 108-96.

Mountainairs - Bulls 85-101

Very expected game in New Plymouth where Mountain Airs were defeated by Bulls 101-85. American forward Zane Waterman (203-95, college: Manhattan) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists. The other American import point guard Josh Selby (188-91, college: Kansas) contributed with 34 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-85, college: Oregon St.) replied with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds and guard Haize Walker (188-99, college: Concordia, OR) added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Mountain Airs. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Bulls' next round opponent will be Sharks in Southland. Mountain Airs will play at home against Nuggets and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Bulls: J.Selby 34+5reb+4ast, Z.Waterman 27+16reb+4ast, N.Joseph 14+3reb+1ast, N.Fee 8+5reb+6ast, J.Gerrand 6+2reb+1ast, D.Brooks 5+4reb
Mountainairs: M.Jones 33+10reb+2ast, T.Wynyard 18+3reb, H.Walker 11+6reb+5ast, M.Francis 8+3reb+2ast, T.Scott 7+1reb, D.Carlin 6+4reb+3ast

Saints - Sharks 105-73

The game between Top Four teams took place in Wellington. host Saints smashed Sharks 105-73. The best player for the winners was the former international swingman Dion Prewster (195-90, college: SF Austin, agency: BIG) who scored 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward Taane Samuel (200-99) chipped in 26 points. Four Saints players scored in double figures. Dominique Kelman-Poto (201-94, college: Adelphi) produced 11 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Brayden Inger (203-99) added 12 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. Saints will meet at home Giants in the next round where they are favorite. Sharks will play against Huskies in Hobart and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Saints: T.Samuel 26+4reb+2ast, D.Prewster 22+7reb+6ast, K.Roach II 16+3reb+6ast, T.Smith-Milner 14+2reb, T.Kenneth 9+2reb+2ast, R.Gill 8+5reb
Sharks: B.Inger 12+2reb+1ast, A.Burton 12+1reb+1ast, D.Kelman-Poto 11+6reb+6ast, C.Belger 10+2reb+1ast, T.Gillooly 9+3reb+1ast, J.Helu 9+4reb+1ast

Rams - Jets 87-76

There was a small surprise in Christchurch where Rams defeated Jets 87-76. Rams players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. American forward EJ Singler (198-90, college: Oregon) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. The other American import guard Deshon Taylor (188-96, college: Fresno St.) contributed with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Five Rams players scored in double figures. Rams' coach Mick Downer allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American guard Daishon Knight (185-91, college: Illinois St.) replied with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Jayden Bezzant (188-96, college: NW Nazarene) added 20 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Jets. Rams' next round opponent will be Huskies in Hobart and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Jets will play at home against Nuggets and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Rams: E.Singler 20+8reb+7ast, D.Taylor 16+7reb+5ast, J.Salt 13+9reb+3ast, S.Smith 12+1reb+4ast, A.Talma 11+4reb+1ast, Q.Bailey 8+2reb
Jets: D.Knight 24+6reb+5ast, J.Bezzant 20+5reb+1ast, S.Temara 11+9reb+2ast, N.McCullough 9+1reb, J.Mckinlay 7+6reb, A.McQueen 3+1reb+2ast

Bulls - Giants 94-107

Very important is a home loss of Bulls against Giants on Saturday night. Host Bulls were defeated by Giants in Pukekohe 107-94. Giants dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Bulls' 34. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. Guard Hunter Hale (192-97, college: Winthrop) notched 26 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals to lead the effort and swingman Donte Ingram (199-96, college: Loyola, IL) supported him with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Giants players scored in double figures. Even 36 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists by point guard Josh Selby (188-91, college: Kansas) did not help to save the game for Bulls. Forward Zane Waterman (203-95, college: Manhattan) added 20 points and 14 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Giants will play against Hawks in Tamatea in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Bulls will play at home against Sharks and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Giants: H.Hale 26+9reb+9ast, D.Ingram 19+10reb+4ast, T.Ingham 15+4reb+2ast, A.Rissetto 14+2reb, S.Dempster 13+4reb, N.Trathen 8+3reb+1ast
Bulls: J.Selby 36+6reb+4ast, Z.Waterman 20+14reb+2ast, J.Gerrand 10+2reb+2ast, N.Joseph 9+1reb+1ast, D.Brooke 8+2reb+1ast, D.Brooks 7+2reb+1ast

Nuggets - Jets 108-96

Not a big story in a game in Dunedin where Jets were defeated by Nuggets 108-96. American guard Isaiah Moss (196-96, college: Kansas) orchestrated the victory by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds. The former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-97, college: Washington) contributed with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Nuggets' coach Brent Matehaere used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Daishon Knight (185-91, college: Illinois St.) replied with 29 points and 6 rebounds and naturalized American power forward Shane Temara (205-95, college: N.Texas) added 14 points and 15 rebounds in the effort for Jets. Five Nuggets and four Jets players scored in double figures. Nuggets' next round opponent will be Mountain Airs in New Plymouth where they are favorite.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: I.Moss 33+7reb+1ast, S.Timmins 23+10reb+8ast, G.McKay 18+5reb, D.Knox 11+6reb+1ast, J.Aitcheson 10+1reb+1ast, M.Pafe 5+2reb
Jets: D.Knight 29+6reb+2ast, J.Bezzant 23+3reb+4ast, S.Temara 14+15reb+1ast, J.Mckinlay 13+8reb, N.McCullough 8+2reb+1ast, D.Daniels 7+7reb+1ast

Hawks - Sharks 85-73

The game in Tamatea was also worth to mention about. Sharks played at the court of Hawks. Hawks defeated Sharks 85-73. The former international guard Derone Raukawa (181-94) orchestrated the victory by scoring 28 points and 5 assists. International forward Jonathan Janssen (205-95, college: HPU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Four Hawks players scored in double figures. American forward Josh Cunningham (203-96, college: Dayton) replied with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds and Dominique Kelman-Poto (201-94, college: Adelphi) added 14 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Sharks. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Hawks' next round opponent will be Giants in Stoke. Sharks will play on the road against Huskies in Hobart and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Hawks: D.Raukawa 28+3reb+5ast, D.Walker 16+2reb+1ast, E.Bartlett 14+3reb+1ast, J.Janssen 11+15reb+3ast, H.Harris 9+8reb+1ast, E.Rusbatch 7+4reb+2ast
Sharks: J.Cunningham 21+11reb, D.Kelman-Poto 14+7reb+3ast, A.Burton 14+1reb+1ast, C.Belger 7+2reb+1ast, B.Inger 5+2reb, T.Gillooly 5+2reb+1ast

Huskies - Giants 90-87

Huskies edged Giants in Hobart 90-87. Americans were the main players on the court. Power forward Chris Johnson (210-85, college: LSU) had a double-double by scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) to lead the charge for the winners and guard Jeremy Kendle (186-88, college: Bellarmine) chipped in 23 points and 7 assists during the contest. Four Huskies players scored in double figures. Huskies' coach Aaron Young used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Guard Hunter Hale (192-97, college: Winthrop) responded with 32 points and swingman Donte Ingram (199-96, college: Loyola, IL) scored 23 points and 8 rebounds. Giants will play next round against strong Hawks trying to get back on the winning streak. Huskies will try to continue on its current victory against Sharks in Southland.
Top scorers:
Huskies: C.Johnson 30+12reb+2ast, J.Kendle 23+3reb+7ast, B.Ruscoe-Taiaroa 13+3reb+5ast, S.Murphy 10+5reb+1ast, R.Zach 5+7reb+2ast, T.Johnson 3+4reb+1ast
Giants: H.Hale 32+3reb+2ast, D.Ingram 23+8reb+2ast, T.Ingham 7+1reb+1ast, M.Alexander 7+1reb+2ast, L.Joshua 5+2reb+2ast, B.Beri 5+6reb+3ast



Tags : CHRIS JOHNSON, AUCKLAND HUSKIES, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL