The Sky Sports Breakers took home a win at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. Photo / Cira Olivier
The Sky Sports Breakers took home a win at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. Photo / Cira Olivier
OPINION
It was my first time watching the pros live and the atmosphere was the highlight for me over the six-point nail-biter win by the New Zealand Breakers.
From the pumping music by DJ Pete, the lively MC, the Amjazz Dance School hype team, and all the families cheering thenight away, it was great.
Two and a half weeks ago, Rotorua was confirmed to host, for the first time, a Sky Sport Breakers basketball game - against the Cairns Taipans - at the Energy Events Centre last night.
I played a bit of basketball in high school and my only reference to live basketball was the high school games.
Sitting close to courtside, the sheer size of the men blew me away, with their effortless what-seemed-like three steps to glide across the court and holding the basketball as though it was a tennis ball in one hand.
Though the teams were at the bottom of the table, the talent and passion was undeniable, which could also be seen in the animation of the coaches on the sideline.
It was also the first sporting event I had been to since Covid-19, and while it's been going on for more than a year, you tend to forget about it in New Zealand.
The crowd cheer as the final buzzer goes and the Sky Sports Breakers win at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. Photo / Cira Olivier
That's until you see the scorekeepers with masks behind the Perspex screens or masks on those wiping down the courts.
The teams were neck-and-neck throughout the game, with the final quarter by far the most impressive.
The Breakers were trailing 59-55 when the final stanza started, which had me, and the crowd, on the edge of my seat.
But a three-point jump shot by Tai Webster, followed by a swift dunk by Colton Iverson had the crowd roaring and the players almost inflating with confidence.
While the game was a good watch, the thing that stood out to me was the people of Rotorua, and what a family event it was with the majority of the crowd kids.
Whether they were up in their seats cheering for the home side, or trying to get a slice of the limelight with the roaming Sky Sport camera woman, it was clear this was pretty special.
Half-time also saw a family relay which got the crowd cheering as two kids and two parents dribbled up the court and took a shot.
The best part of this was the dad of the winning team joining the Breakers' huddle, and flashing a quick thumbs-up, without a word, and walking off the court. Classic Kiwi-dad if I ever saw one.
What a treat for the city and amazing experience for everyone, especially the kids.
The day of the game, 60 young players from the Rotorua Basketball Association also enjoyed the chance to watch the players train at a private session.
There's something about sports and the way it can bring people together and enliven spirits – whether it's as a team or club, competitors, or spectators.
Seeing some more of this in the city would be nothing but good.
