Australiabasket.com All-New Zealand NBL Awards 2018 - Aug 7, 2018
Australiabasket.com All-New Zealand NBL 1st Team 2018
Ili
Knight
Shepard
Iverson
Brandt
Finals MVP: Reuben Te Rangi (198-F/G-94) of Southland S. Player of the Year: Shea Ili (184-G-92) of Wellington S. Guard of the Year: Shea Ili (184-G-92) of Wellington S. Forward of the Year: Kuran Iverson (206-F-95) of Manawatu J. Center of the Year: Angus Brandt (208-C-89) of Taylor Hawks Newcomer of the Year: Dominique Kelman-Poto (201-F) of SC Rangers Import Player of the Year: Winston Shepard (203-F-93) of Rams Domestic Player of the Year: Shea Ili (184-G-92) of Wellington S. Defensive Player of the Year: Winston Shepard (203-F-93) of Rams Coach of the Year: Jamie Pearlman of Giants
Reuben Te Rangi leads Southland Sharks to thrilling NBL final win over Wellington Saints - Aug 5, 2018
Reuben Te Rangi (198-F/G-94) endured a season of pain in the hope of getting a chance to help the Southland Sharks to their third National Basketball League title. The 23-year-old was plagued by a knee injury for much of the season, but came good in the big moment, scoring 26 points, hauling in six rebounds and creating six assists in his side's thrilling 98-96 win over the Wellington Saints in the NBL final at TSB Bank Arena in Wellington on Sunday. The performance defied Te Rangi's season averages of 8.6 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game and 2.4 assists per game, but he said his lower than normal numbers were because he was building slowly as the season wore on. "It's been a long season. The first half I was playing through a bit of pain," he said while holding the NBL trophy in his grasp. "Going from not being able to run at the Commonwealth Games and coming into this season with a bad knee. I've been rehabbing this whole season, then to come out and play my best game in the final, it's pretty sweet." Te Rangi's performance filled the void left by high-scoring Australian guard Jarrad Weeks (185-G-89) and, to a lesser extent, Luke Aston, who were restricted to a combined nine minutes between them in the final due to injury. He came up big in the first half, including scoring 10 points in the second quarter, to help his side lead 67-51 at the main break. The Sharks had led by as many as 18 points in the third quarter, only to be hauled back by the Saints, led by Shea Ili (27 points) and Jordan Ngatai (21 points). Import guard L.J. Peak (196-G/F-96, college: Georgetown, agency: Pensack Sports) also had 23 points despite being in foul trouble throughout. Te Rangi's Tall Blacks team-mate Ili then stole a bit of the limelight, taking the Saints upon his shoulders and carrying them through the third quarter, scoring 12 points. He had to do so because Peak picked up his fourth foul with 4.28 still to play in the third quarter. While Ili lit up the offensive end, the Saints picked up their defence, typified by forcing a shot clock violation with 3.17 to play in the quarter as they reduced the lead, which reached 18 at one stage, to single figures. The Sharks led 86-78 heading into the final quarter, with Te Rangi scoring their first five points to get the lead to 11. But the Saints came roaring back again, getting within one point with five minutes to go. The lead was two points with 13 seconds to go. Saints forward Leon Henry (200-F-85, college: S.Idaho JC) had a three to win it, but his shot was short, Saints guard Shaun Bruce won the rebound, but his put-back was also short and time expired. Outside of Te Rangi, they had contributions from Orlando Coleman (196-F-92, college: Texas Southern) (17 points), Derone Raukawa (181-G-94) (16 points) and Conor Morgan (206-F-94, college: UBC) (13 points). It was Sharks coach Judd Flavell's first title as head coach, with one over-riding emotion coming through one the initial excitement subsided. "It's a mixture of feelings. Relief would be one of them. We held on there just enough at the end. The Saints made a hell of a comeback and a run at us and the wheels got a little bit wobbly there, but credit to the guys. It was down to those last two possessions." He praised his captain Te Rangi for his attitude and commitment all season long. "He's been the guy that's kept everything in check with us. We've had firepower all over the place, so we didn't necessarily need him to go out and try to take over games, but he did all the little things you talk about and he's just the glue of the team. "And then when called upon, he was great tonight. Big shots, a rock on defence and a coach out on there on the floor as well." It was Kevin Braswell (188-G-79, college: Georgetown)'s last game as Saints coach as he prepares to take over the New Zealand Breakers head coach. He was understandably disappointed to not make it three titles from three seasons in charge. "It's tough, I was in there balling just now because I was in there thanking all of them. "I've never seen a team give up 67 points in the first half of a championship game before, but then, the team that we are, we give up 19 in the third and 12 in the fourth. We just left it too late. If we'd done that halfway through the second quarter and led into halftime maybe we'd be in a different situation. "Kudos to them though, they deserved it and Judd did a hell of a job with them this year." Courtesy of: stuff.co.nz
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