Basketball: Suns make semifinals

A massive 31 points by BJ Anthony led the way for the Milestone Homes Northland Suns as they defeated the Auckland Rebels to reach the semifinals of the Intercity Basketball league.

With Anthony in fantastic form, the Suns put in one of their best offensive efforts winning 110-92. He top-scored with 33 points dominating both the offensive and defensive boards, grabbing an impressive 17 rebounds.

Teammate Travis McIlroy was overwhelmed by Anthony's performance and said it proved he is now back to his best after injury.

"It looks like he's completely recovered from his ankle surgery he had after the Breakers season and he led the charge for us on Saturday. We're just so lucky to have him playing for us this year," McIlroy said.

The big man looks likely to be back with the Breakers again after displaying the sort of form which saw him fall two assists short of achieving a rare "triple double" - double points in three different statistics: points, rebounds, assists or steals.

McIlroy and Ray Cameron both scored 21 points in the victory that sees the Harbour Heat stand between them and a place in the grand final.

McIlroy said it was a team victory, with the young squad members improving every time they come on the court.

"Young Harlyn Clunie was outstanding on Saturday. When he came off the bench, he picked up seven rebounds in no time at all and scored four points," he said.

Kaitaia's Atama O'Donnell was another player to make a great contribution off the bench, scoring nine points while picking up four rebounds. Coach Stanko Susjnar said that has been the benefit of players like Anthony and Cameron joining the team.

"All the young players look up to them and learn off them and that's made us a more mature side," he said.

He said the Suns were beaten by the Harbour Heat early in the competition and he was looking forward to seeing how much his side has improved since then.

"We're a better side now and we're hoping to make the final but it's not going to be easy and you never know how much the Heat have improved," he said.

The Sun's success this year had caused a buzz in Northland's basketball community. The coach said the only downside is with only one home game so far, it is hard to tell whether the team's success has spread to the community at large.

The team plays the touring Parramatta Wildcats - coached by former Suns' coach Merv Tait - tonight at 8pm at the Kamo High School Gym. The match is preceded by a women's game between Parramatta and the Taitokerau Phoenix at 6pm.