Brave Suns panic unbeaten leaders

The Northland Suns faced their toughest opposition yet in the Super City Basketball Competition when they met an unbeaten Waitakere West Auckland outfit at Breakers Stadium.

Waitakere remained without loss and at the top of the ladder a week out from the first round of playoffs with Saturday's 118-74 win over the Suns, but appeared to panic at times throughout the first half against the league's cellar dwellers.

Coach Tania Sateine said the Suns played an impressive first two quarters, hitting the court with passion and intensity, startling the West Auckland side who had thrashed their fellow league teams this season by an average of 60 points.

"We stuck to our game plan and stayed close to them. At one stage we were only six points behind - that would be the closest any team has got to this side," Sateine said.

Waitakere fought back in the second half, by running the Suns ragged and applying a full-court press.

"Our game plan began to come unstuck and we were not doing the basics ... we did some really good things in the first half but we were unable to maintain that for four quarters," the coach said.

"The Suns were efficient defensively, but let themselves down on their offence and with shot selection. The other teams in the competition are all good shooting teams, so it is an area the Suns are aware they need to improve on.

"Also our big guys need to be more dominant inside. The good thing is the boys are all willing to work at improving our game."

Rather than getting disheartened by setbacks experienced this year, players were more dedicated to the team, Sateine said.

Last month, head coach Ron Cronshaw left the team unexpectedly and after his departure, Sateine took over the head coaching role.

"Having your coach leave halfway through the league is a big distraction and it was difficult for me to pick up the role, especially when you have two different styles of coaching," she added.

"But I'm definitely enjoying the role and the boys, and being able to take them to the level we want to attain," she added. Keegan Saddler had an excellent game for the Suns on Saturday, both offensively and defensively. Harlyn Clunie, coming off the bench, really stepped up for his team, while Travis McIlroy also had a solid game.

Next weekend the Suns will play in the first round of playoffs..