Thursday May 17, 2007

Hi there

Welcome to another edition of In The Huddle ...
Dominion Finance NBL action is hotting up as the season heads to the final stretch and at least six teams still in semifinal contention. Any slip up now could mean the end of title hopes ...
The international programme officially gets under way next week when the NZ Tall Ferns take on Japan ... but there should also be big news soon on the Kiwi women's team in the Australian WNBL.
Watch this space ...
Cheers
Chappy

Tilted Halo

American Kevin Brooks admits he has made rookie coaching mistakes and his 7-5 record with Century City Wellington Saints’ this season tends to reflect that.

But after a tumultuous couple of weeks, he must somehow get the team up again for a “must-win” game against the Dominion Finance NBL’s best if they are to rescue their fading post-season aspirations.

“Our destiny is still in our hands,” insists Brooks. “But I don’t quite know how much.”

Following the dust up against Youthtown Auckland Stars two weeks ago, Saints dropped a pulsating overtime encounter with Easy LPG Bay Hawks at home last Saturday, but the quality of the performance was of small consolation to Brooks, who watched his outfit squander several opportunities to seal victory in regulation.

Lemainis Keen On Saints Import

New Zealand Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis is eyeing Wellington Saints import Bakari Hendrix.

Lemanis confirmed yesterday he will be courtside in Wellington on Sunday when the Saints play the Harbour Heat to get a first hand look at the big American.

But Lemanis said his trip south had a dual purpose with the Breakers unashamedly courting Tall Black Craig Bradshaw and willing to pull any strings to enhance their chances of getting his signature.

“Absolutely,” Lemanis said when asked if Hendrix was on his radar. “I know a couple of people who have had some good things to say about him and I know (Saints owner) Nick Mills is very excited about having him on the programme there.”

Tait Signs With Hawks

Sportal

The Wollongong IMB Hawks have announced they have secured highly sought-after New Zealand guard Lindsay Tait to a three-year deal.

A current standout in the New Zealand NBL (NZNBL), Tait is the final piece to what looks to be a very strong guard rotation for the IMB Hawks this upcoming season.

The 25-year old has been dominating the NZNBL this season playing for the Auckland Stars alongside former IMB Hawk Casey Frank. Tait has averaged 35 points, eight assists and 2.7 steals per game the last three weeks to claim three straight Player of the Week honours.

Wilkins Delays Decision

Geoff Longley, Chirstchurch Press

Donna Wilkins is waiting until the naming of the coach of the Christchurch-based team in the Australian women’s basketball league before deciding her playing future.

Wilkins (formerly Loffhagen) confirmed yesterday she had been offered a contract by the yet-to-named franchise.

But she was holding back from saying anything until she knew who the coach was, she said.

An announcement on that position is expected next week from Basketball New Zealand which is making the appointment.

Link In The Chain

Dominion Finance NBL Player of the Week - Link Abrams (TET Taranaki Mountain Airs)
32 points (14/19 FG, 4/7 FT), 18 rebounds & an assist v Youthtown Auckland Stars

The beauty about Abrams is he doesn’t have a vast array of scoring weapons … he doesn’t have an outside shot of any kind, he doesn’t really attack the rim, he’s not even a trusty free throw shooter. But, boy, he’s hard to stop when he gets the ball in the paint.

“He just works really hard around the basket,” observes Airs coach Trent Adam. “He knows what he can do and doesn’t try to do too much.”

Includes Stat Leaders (Round 10) & Player Power Ranking Top 50

Party Poopers

While TET Taranaki Mountain Airs have clearly taken on the role of this year’s “spoilers”, rookie coach Trent Adam still hasn’t completely forsaken hope of making the Dominion Finance NBL semifinals.

They enhanced their reputation as giant-killers with a 99-84 home victory over league leaders Youthtown Auckland Stars on Saturday, their second straight result over post-season contenders after taking out Blue Chip Nelson Giants eight days earlier.

Their daring exploits over the past two weeks will have delighted other title aspirants, but also made those with fixtures still pending against the Airs very nervous indeed.

BBNZ Development Cluster Camps 2

Saturday, July 28
Auckland, Wanganui, Blenheim & Invercargill

The first Development Cluster Camps were held on the last weekend of April at five venues across the country. This a new initiative from Basketball New Zealand and the camps were attended by more than 400 athletes and over 70 coaches.

The camps are a development opportunity for athletes, coaches and staff who show the potential to perform at higher levels of the sport, exposing them to a nationally coordinated programme, curriculum and philosophies.

The Development Cluster Camps also provide another opportunity for the identification of participants for national level programmes.

Briefs

New Import Eager
Gifford Lee, Waikato Times
Jason Crowe is quite happy being an employee of Waikato basketball.
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The Kids Are Alright
Church College NZ have dealt national women’s champions Auckland a massive blow in their bid to defend the title.
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Still Alive
NZ Tall Black Phill Jones and his Tisettanta Cantu club have snuck into the Italian Lega A playoffs with a 90-83 road win over Livorno in their final regular season outing.
Read More ...

Pardon Prevails
NZ Tall Ferns Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe and Lisa Pardon went head-to-head in the South East Australia Basketball League … and Pardon came away with the bragging rights as Launceston Tornadoes beat Frankston Lady Blues 101-96.
Read More ...

Polyblank Eyes NBL Return
Toby Robson, Dominion Post
Brendon Polyblank has resumed training after eight frustrating months on the sidelines and is eyeing a return to the National Basketball League.
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