Basketball: Players get earbashing

Andrej Lemanis is more of a cajoling basketball coach than a screamer.

But when the Breakers disappointed in the first half of their ANBL match against West Sydney Razorbacks at Olympic Park, Lemanis let fly at the players.

The Razorbacks flew to a 38-24 lead at the end of the first quarter and dominated the second, leading 67-43 before comfortably winning the match 124-104 despite an improved showing by the Breakers in the second half.

It was the Breakers' third loss in a as many ANBL games this season as they still struggle to find cohesion with so many new players.

"At halftime I went in and let them have it," said Lemanis. "I was saying it doesn't matter what I draw on the board, if the effort levels aren't there we might as well throw everything out.

"The first thing we need to address is the effort."

The Breakers outscored the Razorbacks by one point in the third quarter and by three in the final 12 minutes, as Aaron Olson - scoreless in the first half - blitzed home with 26 points. Lemanis thought that if a few more things had gone the Breakers' way in the second half, they might have made a game of it. But the Razorbacks turned on the plays when they had to.

Their ace was American point guard Jermaine Blackburn, who was too quick for the Breakers defence, posting 22 in the first half and finishing with 33 points.

Breakers captain Paul Henare kept trying to spur his troops on and Brant Bailey came on in the second half with 14 points.

The Breakers play the Brisbane Bullets on Wednesday.

- NZPA