NBL Round 11 (Regular Season): Giants still unable to win any game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Bottom-ranked Giants (0-8) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 97-76 loss to ninth ranked Sharks (5-5) in Southland on Friday evening. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Sharks made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was American forward Josiah Allick (203-2001, college: Nebraska) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). His fellow American import guard Caleb Asberry (191-2000, college: OK State) chipped in 17 points and 9 assists. American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) produced 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 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. Sharks have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Tuatara and Whai. Giants at the other side still closes the standings with eight games lost. Sharks will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Giants will play on the road against Nuggets (#10) in Dunedin and hope to get finally their first victory.
Bottom-ranked Panthers (0-9) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 106-70 loss to fourth ranked Jets (7-4) in Palmerston North. American forward Eric Williams Jr (201-1999, college: San Diego) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 18 rebounds. Miles Gibson contributed with 30 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Guard Cooper Lepou (178) answered with 27 points for Panthers. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jets have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 7-4 record. Newly promoted Panthers still closes the standings with nine games lost. Jets will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panthers will play at home against the league's leader Rams (#1) and look forward to get finally their first victory.
The game in Tamatea was also quite interesting. Third ranked Bulls (7-3) played at the court of 7th ranked Hawks (6-5). Bulls managed to secure a 8-point victory 88-80 on Friday. It was a great evening for David Okwera who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds. Bulls' coach Sebastian Gleim used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Daniel Grida responded with 23 points and 9 rebounds. Bulls moved-up to second place, which they share with Saints. Loser Hawks dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. Bulls will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hawks will play against the league's second-placed Saints (#2) in Wellington and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 11 Rams crushed Tuatara in Christchurch 131-78. Airs beat Whai at home 95-90.
The best stats of 11th round was 29 points and 15 rebounds by Jack Andrew of Airs.



Hawks - Bulls 80-88

The game in Tamatea was also quite interesting. Third ranked Bulls (7-3) played at the court of 7th ranked Hawks (6-5). Bulls managed to secure a 8-point victory 88-80 on Friday. Bulls made 23-of-26 free shots (88.5 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for Australian forward David Okwera (208-2002) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds. American guard Tae Hardy (190-1998, college: UTEP) helped adding 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Bulls' coach Sebastian Gleim used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) responded with 23 points and 9 rebounds and naturalized Australian power forward Luca Yates (208-2004, college: Barry) scored 6 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Bulls and four Hawks players scored in double figures. Bulls moved-up to second place, which they share with Saints. Loser Hawks dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. Bulls will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hawks will play against the league's second-placed Saints (#2) in Wellington and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bulls: T.Hardy 20+5reb+4ast, D.Okwera 16+13reb+1ast, M.Jones 15+5reb, T.Cameron 14+5reb+4ast, T.Gloger 13+8reb+3ast, E.Rusbatch 7+5reb+5ast
Hawks: D.Grida 23+9reb+3ast, W.Swaka 14+3reb+1ast, J.Ball 13+2reb+2ast, D.Cowart 13+3reb+2ast, L.Yates 6+11reb+4ast, C.Scott 5+5reb+1ast

Sharks - Giants 97-76

Bottom-ranked Giants (0-8) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 97-76 loss to ninth ranked Sharks (5-5) in Southland on Friday evening. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Sharks made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was American forward Josiah Allick (203-2001, college: Nebraska) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). His fellow American import guard Caleb Asberry (191-2000, college: OK State) chipped in 17 points and 9 assists. American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) produced 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) added 14 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four 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. Sharks have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Tuatara and Whai. Giants at the other side still closes the standings with eight games lost. Sharks will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Giants will play on the road against Nuggets (#10) in Dunedin and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Sharks: J.Allick 21+15reb+5ast, T.Cooper 17+1reb+3ast, C.Asberry 17+3reb+9ast, K.Boone 15+2reb+3ast, W.Leger 8+3reb+1ast, J.Helu 7+5reb+4ast
Giants: J.Combs 19+6reb+5ast, A.Robinson 16+3reb+4ast, C.McRae 14+11reb+2ast, L.Judd 10+4reb, A.McNaught 4+2ast, L.Crate 4+2reb+1ast

Jets - Panthers 106-70

Bottom-ranked Panthers (0-9) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 106-70 loss to fourth ranked Jets (7-4) in Palmerston North. They dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Panthers' 24. Jets forced 21 Panthers turnovers and outrebounded them 59-32 including a 20-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Jets players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Panthers' players. American forward Eric Williams Jr (201-1999, college: San Diego) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 18 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Miles Gibson (198-1998, college: Binghamton) contributed with 30 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Four Jets players scored in double figures. Guard Cooper Lepou (178) answered with 27 points and Indian Tushal Singh (181-2001) added 16 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Panthers. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jets have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 7-4 record. Newly promoted Panthers still closes the standings with nine games lost. Jets will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panthers will play at home against the league's leader Rams (#1) and look forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Jets: M.Gibson 30+6reb, D.Russo-Nance 21+8reb+6ast, K.Goins 21+10reb+5ast, E.Williams Jr. 18+18reb+3ast, D.Collins 7+3reb+2ast, T.Thata-Paese 5+2reb
Panthers: C.Lepou 27+2reb+3ast, T.Singh 16+5reb+2ast, S.Paea 14+1reb, S.Li 6+10reb+3ast, B.Perry 4+1reb, Z.Pearn 3+2reb+1ast

Tuatara - Rams 78-131

There was no surprise in Auckland where 7th ranked Tuatara (5-5) was crushed by fourth ranked Rams (7-2) 131-78 on Saturday. Rams outrebounded Tuatara 41-23 including a 13-1 advantage in offensive rebounds. Rams looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. It was a great evening for American forward CJ Penha (202-2000, college: Boston Coll.) who led his team to a victory scoring 34 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds. Australian guard Sean Macdonald (188-2000) helped adding 31 points. Rams' coach Quinn Clinton felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to get some rest. The former international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college: JMU) responded with 24 points and American swingman Buay Tuach (198-1995, college: LMU, agency: Haylett Sports) scored 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Rams and four Tuatara players scored in double figures. Rams have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Loser Tuatara keeps the seventh place with five games lost. They share the position with Sharks and Whai. Rams will meet bottom-ranked Panthers (#12) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Tuatara will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Rams: C.Penha 34+9reb+1ast, S.Macdonald 31+2reb+1ast, T.Britt 17+1reb+8ast, W.Brown 11+6reb+2ast, T.Smith-Milner 10+10reb+1ast, K.Isaac 9+2reb+3ast
Tuatara: T.Vodanovich 24+4reb+1ast, B.Tuach 16+6reb+5ast, W.Hickey 11+5reb+1ast, D.Wilkie 11+1reb, N.Barrow 7+3reb+4ast, C.Pride 6+1reb+2ast

Airs - Whai 95-90

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fifth ranked Airs' (6-3) home victory over 6th ranked Tauranga (5-5) 95-90 on Saturday. Airs looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a great evening for power forward Jack Andrew (208-2001) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 15 rebounds. Australian guard Owen Foxwell (188-2003) helped adding 13 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists. Australian swingman Sean Bairstow (203-2000, college: VCU) responded with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and American point guard Chris Jones (178-1991, college: Louisville, agency: Haylett Sports) scored 19 points and 8 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Airs maintains fifth place with 6-3 record. Whai lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with five games lost. They share it with Sharks and Tuatara. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Airs: J.Andrew 29+15reb+1ast, C.Davison 19+4reb+7ast, H.Froling 15+6reb+4ast, O.Foxwell 13+7reb+11ast, S.Telfer 9+2reb+1ast, Z.Adam 6+1reb
Whai: S.Bairstow 22+7reb+6ast, C.Jones 19+3reb+8ast, T.Zanna 14+5reb+1ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 13+4reb+3ast, J.Bezzant 9+4reb+1ast, C.Hopoi 8+3reb+2ast