Basketball: Manawatu sharp-shooters prevent Stars from shining

By PETER JESSUP

Auckland Stars coach Kenny Stone blames the lack of a proper build-up for his team's ordinary start to the season but isn't panicking after the team's 76-83 loss to Manawatu Jets, who lead the basketball league after also dumping North Harbour on Friday.

Accuracy killed the Stars, the visitors' guardline of Kent Mori, Jonathan Southey, Stacey Lambert and Kaine Hokianga all making three-pointers in the third quarter.

Lindsay Tait was the best of the Stars, his drives to the basket helping draw them back to within two points near the end as he top-scored with 28.

But Mike Homik, Casey Frank and Dillon Boucher were in foul trouble throughout, the latter two fouled out with two minutes to go and the Jets sinking free-throws to put the game beyond their grasp.

"We didn't execute consistently," Stone said, lamenting some obscure refereeing decisions he said took the wind out of his players' sails. He earned a technical for arguing with the officials.

Forward Jon Disher led Manawatu with 19 points, Stacey Lambert and Miles Pearce each scored 15 and Aussie David Cooper had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The late arrival of Breakers' players meant the Stars had not yet clicked into the game-plan, Stone said. They are one from three and host Canterbury next Saturday.

North Harbour's import Purnell Perry arrived late on Thursday and was limited to 13 points against the Jets. Aussie Axel Dench will stiffen them further, but comfort levels will not be high after a third straight loss in which the offence failed to fire.

Young forward Valance McCarthy had 15 points but the rest struggled to score.

Taranaki beat Otago 98-77 in New Plymouth on Saturday. Forward Michael Tompson impressed with 31 points and 12 rebounds, as did guard Willie Banks, 26 points, , seven assists, six assists and two steals.

Otago's best was guard Hayden Allen with 27 points. After scoring 26 against Waikato on Friday, Leonard King was kept relatively quiet by the Airs, managing 16 on Saturday.

The Titans had dealt to Otago 84-76 on Friday, Tall Black captain Pero Cameron guiding them to victory. He finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Geordie Cullen delivered 16 points and seven rebounds in a 21-minute debut for the Titans.