Basketball: Titans make Green's birthday happier

By MURRAY McKINNON

Jeff Green received a welcome birthday present, a win from his Waikato Titans basketball team, while sitting in the Hamilton Stadium as a spectator.

Coach Green had been suspended from any contact with the team for one game after being ejected from the court the previous week, his second escort from the bench this season.

The Titans, in crushing bottom of the table Harbour Heat 113-78, have secured home court advantage through to the Burger King-sponsored national league final. The victory, which marches Waikato one step further to their third straight title, and the Auckland Stars' 86-81 loss to Manawatu Jets, means they cannot be headed off for the regular season title.

It was Green's 45th birthday on Saturday and at the three-quarter mark a birthday cake, in the shape of a basketball court, was presented to him in the stands and the stadium burst into a chorus of happy birthday.

Green said it was not easy being a spectator.

"I hate sitting in the stands, it kills you. I would have been better off staying at home," he said. "Next time, if there is a next time, I will stay at home."

Harbour had the better of the first quarter, leading 27-26, with tall forward Jason Greig getting the better of Titans' Iona Enosa under the basket for six points and Brendon Pongia chiming in from the outer perimeter.

Waikato came back with a fast break and a flurry of three-pointers from Mason Le Pou, Prem Krishna and Sam Walker to move out to a 58-43 advantage at the break.

Despite Dillon Boucher, Glen Joe and Earl Smith all being fouled out of the game in the final quarter, the Titans outscored Harbour 55-35 in the second half.

Krishna top scored with 23, which included five three-pointers, with Boucher and David Hopoi both on 12. Dylan Chase, who was fouled out late in the game, was the best for Harbour on 15.

The Jets, in third place on the table, edged closer to holding a semifinal spot. Their win over Auckland was only decided in the final 30 seconds, with guard and captain Kent Mori and centre David Cooper both successful from the free throw line. After Auckland led 34-31 at halftime, forward Darryl June turned the game the Jets' way with a haul of 16 points in 17 minutes.

Nelson Giants won their sixth game in a row, after a string of three point shooting from Ed Book, Phill Jones and Darnell McCulloch, beating Hawkes Bay 86-84. It was Nelson's last home game of the season. Nelson, who have remaining games against Manawatu, Waikato and Taranaki, still have a chance of a playoff spot.

In Dunedin, Otago had no trouble disposing of Taranaki 106-77. Tall Black Mark Dickel was outstanding scoring 18 and handing out six assists. American import Mike Pegues added 20 points and six rebounds for the Nuggets. Centre Link Abrams led Taranaki with 30 points and 11 rebounds.

Canterbury Rams completed a clean sweep for the home teams this week, beating the Taranaki Mountain Airs 101-88 yesterday.

Taranaki were out to a 38-31 lead but by halftime were down 56-48.

John Whorton bagged 33 points and 18 rebounds for Canterbury.

Waikato are on 28 points, Auckland 22 with Manawatu and Wellington on 20.

Auckland and Waikato go head to head next Saturday at Unitec.