Basketball: End of the road for Breakers

Tony Ronaldson played his last game in the ANBL last night. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand Breakers knew midway through the second quarter of last night's game against the Taipans in Cairns that their playoff dream for this season was over.

The playoff scenario was simple for the Breakers to make the top four playoffs heading into the Cairns fixture.

The Gold Coast Blaze had to lose their final round robin game against the Melbourne Tigers. Then the Breakers had to defeat Cairns.

However, Gold Coast produced some passionate and desperate basketball - with only eight fit players - to defeat Melbourne 91-73.

Adam Gibson (23 points) and James Harvey (16) led a spirited display for the visitors clinching a well-deserved top four finish.

For Melbourne, the loss marked the retirement of outstanding Australian players Chris Anstey and Sam Mackinnon.

Although unable to make the top four, the Breakers, trailing by a point at halftime, beat the Taipans 84-79. Kirk Penney was the game's top scorer with 27, while CJ Bruton contributed 22.

The top four teams heading into the playoffs will be Perth, Townsville, Wollongong and Gold Coast.

The Breakers-Taipans game marked the retirement of two icons of the transtasman league.

Tony "Bear" Ronaldson made his final appearance in the ANBL last night. With 664 games logged, Ronaldson will now focus on playing in the New Zealand NBL with the champion Waikato Pistons.

Former Tall Black Tony Rampton, playing for Cairns, also retired from the ANBL last night after 251 games.

Rampton will again play for the Nelson Giants in the NBL before focusing on completing a graduate diploma in teaching at Canterbury University.

Trying to pinpoint why a Breakers team tipped by many as title favourites failed to make the play offs may see some personnel changes next season.

Three of the four teams that qualified for the playoffs contained dynamic American point guards.

Townsville's point guard is the human energy ball Corey Williams.

He has incredible upper body strength and foot speed, with the ability to break an opponent down off the dribble and score or pass to an unmarked team-mate.

Gold Coast unveiled a rocket ship at the point guard position - Ayinde Ubaka - injured late in the season but a sensational scorer and passer.

Wollongong's point guard was Tywain McKee, who stunned rival teams at the pre-season tournament - including the Breakers - with court speed with ball in hand and shooting ability.

Wollongong lost McKee to injury for the last third of the regular season and it was a creditable performance from this franchise to make the top four.

The Breakers struggled all season to successfully defend Williams, Ubaka, McKee and Melbourne point guard Julius Hodge.