Thunder no match for City hitmen

SBL men

The Jennian Homes SBL and TTT Classic kicked off after a long break with games played on both Friday and Saturday. The following is a review of all games from Whangarei commentator Carol Clunie.

City Hawks 91 Far North Thunder 68 (ht 49-31): The Thunder travelled down to play the City Hawks in one of two Jennian Homes SBL games played at Kamo High School last Friday night. Carol Clunie described this as a physical game while the plethora of fouls thrown by the visitors likely cost them later in the match. While numbers for the Thunder continued to be an issue, standouts included Arahi O'Donnell playing some dead-eye shots and high scoring 31, coupled with a strong offensive performance by Waylon Rewha with 20. City's best were Herb Smith with 28 and Bradley Pitman 12.

Afterwards, Thunder spokesman Pocko Still (unavailable for Friday's game) admitted the writing had been on the wall for the side for some time now; with zilch chance of making the playoffs. The Thunder's final game of the 2013/ 14 season is, at least, at home this Saturday, versus the Portland Blazers in Te Puna Ora in Kaitaia at 4pm.

Maunu Lights 103 Raumanga Royals 80 (ht 51-35): The other Friday night match at Kamo saw Raumanga struggling to contain Maunu's fast offensive game. From an emphatic dunk by Justin Friedrich, Maunu went on a scoring spree. Top scorers, Maunu: Justin Friedrich 24, Ruel Gare 17, Jamie Manson 17; Royals: Niasi Malua 25, Klay Rouse 14, Brad Robinson 13.

Whangaruru Bloodlines 82 Portland Blazers 71 (ht 43-35): Good leadership from Captain Imrahn Henare, scoring 25 points with Manasseh Sadler contributing with 17 and Tevin Henare with 14 helped Whangaruru secure a win over Portland in Kamo on Saturday. A particularly notable aspect of the result was the emphatic "No comment!" from the Blazers coach.

TTT Classic

Muriwhenua Women with the bye: In off-court news, the Muriwhenua Women were reportedly devastated upon learning they had forfeited the points from an otherwise completely convincing home win over the Phoenix Takahiwai on January 11. The 76-38 victory was reversed after Muriwhenua took the court with only four players, one less than the minimum five required by the rulebook. Muriwhenua basketball's Manuera Riwai travelled to Whangarei to appeal the decision last week, but was unsuccessful.

However, unlike their male counterparts, the Muriwhenua women remain in contention for the playoffs; regardless of the result from this coming Saturday's home game against the Portland Flames (i.e. there are only five teams in the comp, so the top four will make the playoffs).

Whangaruru Tukaiaia 71 Portland Flames 49 (ht 41-21): The league leaders' defence proved difficult to penetrate and pressured Portland into turnovers which were capitalised on. Sian Telfer had a great all-round game with tough man-to-man defence, running the lanes well and finishing with slick moves to the hoop to score 13. The game's other top scorers were, Whangaruru: Cherith Schragg 19, Reanon Hetaraka-Sadler 19; Portland: Kay Wairau 10, Jaime-Lee Tito 10, Jeannie Cameron 9.

Phoenix Takahiwai 80 Bucks 25 (ht 42-17): Phoenix young guns Zhane Shortland and Jayde Tuhiwai-Rackich running the fast breaks well against the "newbies" - who were also congratulated on their improvement throughout the season - and top scoring with 19 points; while best of the Bucks were Mo Matautia with 8, and Taukiri Himiona 6.

COMPETITION ROUND-UP: Standings for both competitions remain unavailable as the final games of round robin take place this weekend. Teams enjoy a break the following weekend (February 14 and 15), before the semis on February 21 and 22 at Kamo High (i.e. 1v4 and 2v3), then the finals on March 1. There is also the annual representative North Zone vs South Zone clash to be played on March 8.