NBL Round 5 (Regular Season): Hawks are upset by Airs

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in NBL, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between third ranked Hawks (3-2) and fourth ranked Airs (3-1) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Hawks were crushed by Airs in New Plymouth 114-88. Airs outrebounded Hawks 52-30 including a 20-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Airs looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was Carlin Davison (197-2003) who had a triple-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Power forward Jack Andrew (208-2001) chipped in 21 points and 12 rebounds. Airs' coach Sam Mackinnon felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Darnell Cowart (203-1998, college: Murray St.) produced 20 points and 8 rebounds for the guests. Airs moved-up to third place, which they share with Rams. Hawks at the other side dropped to the fifth position with two games lost. They share it with Jets. Airs is looking forward to face Giants (#11) in Nelson in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Hawks will play on the road against the league's second-placed Whai (#2) in Tauranga and are hoping to win this game.
Tuatara can celebrate their first win this season after three consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Giants (0-4) 81-72. Guard Joshua Wylie (182-2006) orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points and 5 assists. Robert Loe contributed with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American forward Brice Johnson (206-1994, college: UNC, agency: DBA Reed) answered with 21 points for Giants. Giants' coach Michael Fitchett rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Tuatara (1-3) left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with Sharks. It was Giants' fourth loss in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Panthers. Tuatara will play against Sharks (#9) in Southland in the next round. Giants will play at home against Airs and hope to get finally their first victory.
A very close game took place in Southland between Jets and Sharks. Eighth ranked Jets (3-2) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked Sharks (1-3). Jets managed to escape with a 3-point win 88-85 on Saturday evening. Dontae Russo-Nance stepped up and scored 35 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Jets' coach Tony Webster used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Josiah Allick responded with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 12 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Jets moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Hawks. Sharks lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with three games lost. They share it with Tuatara. Jets will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sharks will play against Tuatara (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 5 Saints were defeated by Rams in Christchurch 99-81.



Airs - Hawks 114-88

The game between third ranked Hawks (3-2) and fourth ranked Airs (3-1) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Hawks were crushed by Airs in New Plymouth 114-88. Airs outrebounded Hawks 52-30 including a 20-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Airs looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was Carlin Davison (197-2003) who had a triple-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Power forward Jack Andrew (208-2001) chipped in a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds. Five Airs players scored in double figures. Airs' coach Sam Mackinnon felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Darnell Cowart (203-1998, college: Murray St.) produced 20 points and 8 rebounds and the former international guard Jackson Ball (191-2008) added 23 points and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Airs moved-up to third place, which they share with Rams. Hawks at the other side dropped to the fifth position with two games lost. They share it with Jets. Airs is looking forward to face Giants (#11) in Nelson in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Hawks will play on the road against the league's second-placed Whai (#2) in Tauranga and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Airs: J.Andrew 21+12reb+2ast, A.Fletcher 20+4reb, H.Froling 18+11reb+1ast, O.Foxwell 17+4reb+12ast, C.Davison 15+11reb+10ast, J.Exeter 13+1reb
Hawks: J.Ball 23+1reb+4ast, C.Scott 23+1reb+2ast, D.Cowart 20+8reb+2ast, C.Bush III 8+5reb+1ast, J.Murphy 7+1reb, K.Kara 4+11reb+5ast

Sharks - Jets 85-88

A very close game took place in Southland between Jets and Sharks. Eighth ranked Jets (3-2) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked Sharks (1-3). Jets managed to escape with a 3-point win 88-85 on Saturday evening. Jets dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Sharks' 36. Guard Dontae Russo-Nance (190-2005) stepped up and scored 35 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and American forward Miles Gibson (198-1998, college: Binghamton) chipped in 24 points and 8 rebounds. Jets' coach Tony Webster used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American forward Josiah Allick (203-2001, college: Nebraska) responded with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 12 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field) and the other American import guard Caleb Asberry (191-2000, college: OK State) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points, 6 rebounds and 12 assists. Four Sharks players scored in double figures. Jets moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Hawks. Sharks lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with three games lost. They share it with Tuatara. Jets will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sharks will play against Tuatara (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Jets: D.Russo-Nance 35+5reb+4ast, M.Gibson 24+8reb+2ast, E.Williams Jr. 13+13reb+4ast, D.Collins 6+3reb, T.Wynyard 6+4reb+2ast, T.Thata-Paese 2+4reb
Sharks: J.Allick 29+12reb+1ast, A.Burton 20+5reb+4ast, C.Asberry 15+6reb+12ast, K.Boone 12+8reb+3ast, J.Helu 5+5reb+3ast, T.Cooper 3+4reb+2ast

Rams - Saints 99-81

Everything could happen in Christchurch at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Rams and 7th ranked Saints had identical 2-1 record. This time Rams used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Wellington 99-81 on Sunday night. Rams looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. International guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) stepped up and scored 26 points and 6 assists for the winners and Australian forward Kyle Bowen (203-2000, college: SMC) chipped in 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) responded with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and Australian swingman Nick Marshall (198-1999, college: Clarke) scored 20 points and 6 rebounds. Four Rams and five Saints players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Rams have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion (3-1) moved-up to third place, which they share with Airs. Loser Saints keep the seventh position with two games lost. They share it with Nuggets. Rams will meet Airs (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Saints will play against the league's leader Bulls (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rams: T.Britt 26+4reb+6ast, T.Isaac 21+3reb+3ast, M.Darling 20+3reb+2ast, K.Bowen 17+8reb+4ast, T.Smith-Milner 5+4reb+1ast, K.Isaac 4+10reb+3ast
Saints: N.Marshall 20+6reb+1ast, I.Le'afa 18+3reb+4ast, N.Muszynski 14+5reb, H.Harris 14+9reb+5ast, S.Bruce 11+2reb+8ast, L.Richards 4+2reb

Tuatara - Giants 81-72

Tuatara can celebrate their first win this season after three consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Giants (0-4) 81-72. Tuatara made 16-of-20 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. Guard Joshua Wylie (182-2006) orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points and 5 assists. The former international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) contributed with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Five Tuatara players scored in double figures. American forward Brice Johnson (206-1994, college: UNC, agency: DBA Reed) answered with 21 points and forward Liam Judd (196-2001) added 20 points in the effort for Giants. Giants' coach Michael Fitchett rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Tuatara (1-3) left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with Sharks. It was Giants' fourth loss in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Panthers. Tuatara will play against Sharks (#9) in Southland in the next round. Giants will play at home against Airs and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: J.Wylie 16+4reb+5ast, R.Loe 14+6reb+4ast, B.Tuach 13+5reb+5ast, T.Vodanovich 10+6reb+3ast, D.Wilkie 10+3reb+1ast, C.Pride 9+2reb+2ast
Giants: B.Johnson 21+3reb+1ast, L.Judd 20+2reb, C.Dalton 11+7reb+2ast, L.Crate 5+1reb+2ast, H.Jones 5+3reb+3ast, A.Inwood 4+6reb