Having trouble reading this email? View it on our website.

Friday August 15, 2008

Hi there

Remember Rubio

Ricky Rubio … remember that name. One of the expected stars of next year’s FIBA U19 Basketball World Championships in Auckland is already cutting his teeth at the Olympics. The 17-year-old phenom made his official senior international debut . . .

Read more . . .

Vickerman Joins Pistons

Tall Blacks and NZ Breakers assistant coach Dean Vickerman will have the job of replacing the legacy of Murray McMahon in Waikato. Vickerman, 37, was confirmed as the defending National Basketball League (NBL) champion Waikato Pistons new coach . . .

Read more . . .

Sirens Dropped

Time has run out on the NZ-based Sirens’ hopes of contesting the 2008/09 Australian WNBL. After one season in Christchurch, the franchise was faced with the prospect of relocating to stay alive with Wellington tipped as a possible new home.

Read more . . .

Qualified U15, U13 Nationals

Waikato has qualified five teams and six other associations four teams for Basketball New Zealand’s Oreo Under-15 and Under-13 Basketball National Championships, following zone premierships last weekend.

Read more . . .

Backs To The Wall

The window of opportunity remains only fractionally open now for the New Zealand women’s basketball team and their hopes of reaching the Beijing Olympic quarterfinals after a 63-80 loss to hosts China.

Read more . . .

Cobras Strike For Title

Kiwi Gemma Kerr and her Kilsyth Lady Cobras continued their giant-killing ways in the South East Australia Basketball League (SEABL). Kerr had seven points (2/5 FG, 2/5 3pt, 1/2 FT), eight rebounds, an assist and block in 26 minutes . . .

Read more . . .

Saints Make It Interesting

The Wellington Saints just made the Conference Basketball League’s Central Conference a whole lot more interesting. With back-to-back wins over the Taranaki Panthers last week, the Saints took the Conference lead . . .

Read more . . .

Feel The Pain

New Zealand face an uphill battle in their bid for a spot in the Beijing Olympic quarterfinals after falling 62-85 to Spain in the second round of women’s basketball pool games.

Read more . . .

JTBs Exit Opens Up Spot

The Junior Tall Blacks/Breakers withdrawal from the Conference Basketball League (CBL) Nationals has ignited one final playoff race in the Northern Conference. The JTB/Breakers, who finished their regular season on July 26 . . .

Read more . . .

CBL Results - Week 15

Results from the Northern and Central Conferences of the Conference Basketball League (CBL) last weekend.

Read more . . .

K-Mac Clutch

Shooter Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe left her scoring run until late, but responded with two of the biggest baskets of her career to present New Zealand with a 76-72 win over Mali in the opening round of pool games at the Beijing Olympics.

Read more . . .

Young Life Lost In Tragedy

Kiran Chug, Nelson Mail
Family and friends of a Waimea College student who collapsed while playing basketball were rallying together on Thursday to try to come to terms with his sudden death.

Read more . . .

Half Court Zone Press

Former Los Angeles Clippers, New Jersey Nets and Temple University coach Don Casey and former college coach Ralph Pim run through rules of double-teaming in the half-court and the principles of half-court zone defences.

Read more . . .

Upcoming Events

Friday, August 15
CBL: Counties vs Titans
CBL: Tai Tokerau vs Northside

Saturday, August 16
CBL: Counties vs Auckland
CBL: Eastern Bays vs Taupo
CBL: AUT vs Tai Tokerau
CBL: Massey vs Titans
CBL: Northside vs Heat Reserves
CBL: Saints vs Rising Suns
CBL: Wellington vs Taranaki

Sunday, August 17
CBL: Taupo vs Tai Tokerau
CBL: Eastern Bays vs Western Bay
CBL: AUT vs Waikato
CBL: Saints vs Rising Suns
CBL: Wellington vs Taranaki
CBL: Otago vs North Otago