Basketball: Arsego withholds judgment on Barr

By PETER JESSUP

Naturalised American Willie Banks again stole the show from import Frank Barr in front of the Breakers' management and coaches as the Taranaki Airs thumped Waikato 105-93 in the upset of round 11 of the basketball league.

"Serviceable," was the first word used by Breakers' coach Frank Arsego when asked what he thought of Barr's work in 23 minutes for the Airs, not a description that brims with confidence that he's their man.

"I wouldn't say he was on fire. He hustled pretty hard in a good contest. The next step up to the Breakers is a big step.

"He's helped Taranaki get on a roll and he's a good team player but I'm still 'out there' with him," the head coach said.

Is the slightly-built tall man robust enough for the Aussie league?

"That's one of the things we have to look at.

"That won't be one of his strengths, but teams that did well this year had players like that who did well with athleticism," he said, citing the championship-winning Sydney Razorbacks and MVP Matt Nielsen.

Barr hit five of nine field goal attempts and missed two free-throws for 10 points, collected eight rebounds and was stood down after five fouls.

Banks played the game out for 12 of 21 field goals and 13 of 14 free-throws, top-scoring with 37 and taking six rebounds.

"I can't say enough about Willie, he's a hell of a player," said Arsego.

"Successful teams have players like him on their roster. He consistently makes a contribution against the best players in New Zealand."

Negotiations continue with him and Auckland guard Lindsay Tait.

In a physical contest, Arsego also rated the performance of his other Breakers, Pero Cameron and Mike Chappell. "Pero is playing more time than he did for us and it's a good base for him."

Arsego was also pleased with the performance of Tait (20) and Breakers Aaron Olson (22), Dillon Boucher (9 and 7 rebounds) and Blake Truslove (2, short game time) as Auckland beat Otago 96-83 on Friday.

"It's pleasing to see them making impact in the domestic league," he said.

Arsego has spent five days in Canberra at the Australian Institute of Sport watching the Boomers training camp and seeking advice from Australian coaches.

There was another upset in round 12. Canterbury's season is over but the Rams beat Manawatu 75-69 to leave the Jets having to win their remaining two games to reach the playoffs.

The Jets have 18 points, as do the Titans and Hawkes Bay (five games left), Auckland (four), Nelson (five).

Wellington have 20 points with four to play after their big guns fired as they handed Nelson their second successive home loss yesterday.

The 88-83 scoreline flattered Nelson, who trailed by 20 points for most of the game.

The Giants made just 33 per cent of their shots, but Wellington hit a searing 62 per cent in the match between two teams who shared an 8-5 win-loss record before yesterday.

North Harbour beat Otago 78-72 on Saturday, neither team a chance of playoffs. Axel Dench, 19, Purnell Perry, 15, and Rob Tuilave shot well from the outside, but the team continues to lack free-throw execution.

In the WNBL, Harbour's American Erin Buescher scored 40 as they beat Wellington 92-76 to build a 7-2 record at the top of the table.

Waikato, with new coach Merv Tait beat Nelson 89-67 for a 6-3 record to be in second place.