Basketball: Arsego signs on for another three-years with Breakers

12.55pm

UPDATED REPORT - Frank Arsego has signed on to remain the New Zealand Breakers head coach for three more years.

"To be given the opportunity is an honour -- there are other really good coaches in Australia and New Zealand," he said after the announcement by the club in Auckland today.

"My first season has been challenging but every time you see the guys get a win, like the one against Perth the other night, the rewards are well worth the effort."

Breakers chairman Dallas Fisher said Arsego's work with the side this season has been impressive and the re-signing was very important in terms of continuity with their coaching programme.

"Clearly his results in our debut season have been good and technically he has played a huge part in improving the games of our players," Fisher said.

"Frank has a huge work ethic and personal values we're very comfortable with.

"He's very professional in his approach and has the strong drive for success that we want."

Arsego said he believed the Breakers squad had laid a good foundation in their debut Australian National Basketball League season.

"There're certain things that you need to have at this level.

"The guys have developed a great work ethic and understand that being an NBL professional is something you have to commit yourself to every day."

Arsego assumed the head coaching reins at the Breakers in late November following the resignation of Jeff Green.

Since then, the 43-year-old has impressed critics with his thorough preparation and knowledge of the game and has fashioned an excellent working relationship with the players.

The Breakers have won seven and lost 11 games to make a late run at a playoff spot under Arsego.

He was a successful age-group representative coach with South Australia before acting as assistant coach for the Australian side that won a silver medal at the world under-20 championships in Greece in 1995.

Arsego was head coach of the highly regarded Australian Institute of Sport men's programme from 1998-2002.

The Breakers are also tipped to soon announce the re-signing of star American import Mike Chappell, but this is yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, the Breakers are working hard to make sure emotions do not boil over in tonight's basketball re-match against Perth in Auckland.

On Wednesday night in Christchurch, Dillon Boucher was ejected from the game for elbowing Perth player Rashad Tucker and it has been alleged that the Australian then punched Boucher in the car park after the game.

Guard Paul Henare says the Breakers are trying to make sure they keep cool heads tonight despite the incidents.

Henare says the team met yesterday to discuss the game, making sure the players do not try to retaliate or let their emotions boil over.

He is picking the match officials tonight to clamp down on any physical play, especially early in the game.

At this stage Dillon Boucher and Rashad Tucker are available to play tonight, although Boucher, who was cited for his elbow, could have the charges against him heard this afternoon and possibly be suspended.

- NZPA and Newstalk ZB