Wilson likes the fact that his coach holds him and his teammates accountable and that she encourages the Tigers to slow the game down and use their size advantage.
Quentin Solomon said: “The Cheetahs are excited and I’m excited. I love basketball — watching it, talking about it and all its elements, and growing the players’ skills and understanding of the game. A game continually evolves, grows and changes.
“And what’s even better, the vibe here has enticed Justine to take a bigger role in the game.
“She has so much knowledge and experience to offer to the Gisborne basketball community.”
Playing under Rising Suns icon Frank Russell, Jaguars’ Cody Tarei, Ngaru Grayson and Paora Dewes have been exposed to some of the energy and urgency that raised both players and crowds to new heights from 1994 to the close of the old national second division.
Russell and another former GBA president, Adrian Sparks — mentor of the Lions — have poured enormous resources into not just their Draft League teams, but the code.
Under the last two GBA chairs, Kylie Turuwhenua-Tapsell and Camille Collier, a higher level of club play has been found, and — with the playoff for third and fourth place at 5.30pm tomorrow night — the crowd will be well warmed up for the big game.
The past three weeks of basketball have produced great hoops: the prospect of an unselfish, hearty Cheetahs crew refusing to give way to the mighty Tigers in the final is not to be missed.
Ryan Walters has the height, solidity and experience to stand his ground against Wilson, while his Cheetahs teammates Carl Riini, Thomas Kepa and Felix Sparks all play with energy. Israel Kerisome is unorthodox, while Kenneth Smith and a third-generation talent in Xavier Pivac-Solomon are unpredictable. Add to that the skills of Paora Tuapawa, and the Cheetahs look competitive.
Seb Wilson and Kiwa Ria give the Tigers an edge in height, and Dom Wilson and Holden Wilson are very capable guards.
They have the vision and court-sense to test the Cheetahs. They have flair, not of the contrived type, but that possessed by individuals who can find the open man.
Seth Miller has been effective, hit jump-shots and hustled hard defensively for the Tigers since opening night of the Draft League. Hustle is an area not always targeted by players wanting to make an impact for their crews.
Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Riley once said, in reference to an ugly but very effective duckling in begoggled forward Kurt Rambis: “Hustle is a talent.”
Never was a truer word spoken about one of the game’s most valuable, if overlooked, skills.
Refereeing the play-off game for third and fourth at 5.30pm will be the brother and sister pairing of Petra and Felix Sparks.
Adrian Sparks and Brandon Walsh will control the final.
Introducing the players . . .
TIGERS (coach Justine Pivac-Solomon): Chevy Clark, Clinton Tarei, Dom Wilson, Holden Wilson, James Walker, Kiwa Ria, Kody Coleman, Nuku Taylor, Seth Miller, Seb Wilson.
CHEETAHS (coach Quentin Solomon): Carl Riini, Felix Sparks, Juan Ibanez, Israel Kerisome, Kenneth Smith, Paora Tuapawa, Ryan Walters, Thomas Kepa, Xavier Pivac-Solomon.
JAGUARS (coach Frank Russell): Cody Tarei, Matariki Warahi-Kaa, Micah Wilson, Ngaru Grayson, Weighn Wilson, Paora Dewes, Tamati Horua, Zade Donner.
LIONS (coach Adrian Sparks): Braedyn Smith, Dominique Wilson, Ethan Ngarangione-Pearson, Izaiah Kerisome, Joe Te Maari, Jorge Tofilau, Scott Muncaster, William Collier, Ziya Swann.
