Super 6 to build strength in region

BASKETBALLby Michelle CurranNot only has 2010 seen the resurgence of provincial basketball team the Northland Suns, but club basketball is also making a comeback also with the Super Six Competition tipping off tomorrow .
Run by the Northland Suns Basketball Trust, the competition is a pathway from playing school and age group basketball, to higher levels, as well as providing off-season fitness and court time for players in the region, Suns guard and Super Six organiser Travis McIlroy said.
"When the Suns first went down to Auckland to play in the Super City Basketball Competition, it was a real eye-opener for us. Having a strong club competition will help build and strengthen the game in Northland. We need to make that step up to be able to compete with the rest of New Zealand," he said.
There used to be a strong club competition in Northland in the 90s when the Suns were first established. But it fizzled out when the Suns went into their 12-year hiatus, so there is plenty of excitement surrounding the new competition, McIlroy said.
Six teams - Kamo Stars, City Hawks, Portland Blazers, Maunu Lights, Kaikohe Cougars and the Raumanga Royals - are involved, and for those already not aligned with sports clubs in the area, it is hoped they will amalgamate with their local sports club. It is also anticipated that each team will build relationships with local schools in their area, so school-aged players have a link and can continue playing at club level.
Having Kaikohe confirm they would contest the Super Six was a bonus as it allowed scope for other teams from outside Whangarei to follow suit and enter a team in future competitions, McIlroy said.
Only two Northland Suns players will play in each team. "That makes the competition fairer and also spreads the experience around ... I know I learnt a lot when I played with more experienced players, so hopefully it has the same effect for some of our young players," McIlroy said.
Atama and Arahi O'Donnell will line up for the Kaikohe Cougars, while McIlroy and Tre Fong are playing for the City Hawks. Tori Bradshaw and Harlyn Cluney are onboard with the Portland Blazers and Louis Davis and Joseph Mulhern will play for the Kamo Stars. Beau Mackay and Aaron Saddler will team up with Raumanga Royals and Maunu Lights will have Casey Namana and Josh Martinac lining up for them.
It is a 12-week competition, split into two rounds - breaking up over Christmas from December 18 and resuming on January 14. Games will be played at Whangarei Girls' High School's gymnasium and at Kensington Stadium with games on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons.
Tomorrow night the action gets under way at WGHS with Raumanga Royals playing Kamo Stars at 6.30pm, while the Kaikohe Cougars tip off against City Hawks at 2.30pm on Saturday, followed by Maunu Lights and Portland Blazers at 3.30pm, also at WGHS.