Basketball: Webster the Breakers' shooting star

Corey Webster takes the ball to the hoop against the Illawarra Hawks. Photo / photosport.nz

No one within the Breakers was shocked by Corey Webster's latest scoring spree in Sunday's win over Sydney.

What has become much more surprising, according to the defending champions, are the rare occasions when Webster fails to take over games at the offensive end.

It's been that kind of campaign for the shooting guard, who has returned from an NBA try-out seemingly intent on proving he does indeed belong at that elite level.

Webster's 38 points led the Breakers (11-6) to victory over the Kings, helping the Kiwi club notch their third road win of the season to remain right on the heels of leaders Perth (13-7).

The Breakers now head to Cairns ahead of a New Year's Eve clash against the lowly Taipans, where Webster will be expecting to end the year the way his season began.
After being released by the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA pre-season, Webster rejoined a Breakers team struggling with a 1-3 record.

The MVP front-runner has since spurred his side on a 10-3 run, leading the league in scoring with 23.9 points per game.

His 38 in Sydney was one short of the career-high he managed against Melbourne in November, while it marked the 10th time this season Webster has recorded at least 20 points, a figure he surpassed on only eight occasions in the Breakers' three previous campaigns.

Quite simply, Webster often appears too good for the Australian NBL and, when his shot is falling, he transforms the Breakers from title contenders into favourites.

"Corey was unreal," assistant coach Paul Henare said. "You're more surprised when he doesn't have a big game. It's the standard that he's set himself and the way that he can play."

After the Breakers struggled to find fluidity during an uneven opening half in Sydney, Webster exploded for 26 points after the major break. While part of his increased influence was a result of play-calling, Henare said one look in Webster's eyes revealed the 27-year-old was due for another outburst.

"He didn't go crazy in the first half but he looked to have an intent, almost a look in his eye that he was in for a big day," Henare said. "We wanted him to get some of those opportunities and [coach] Deano [Vickerman] called a couple of plays for him out of timeouts in that second half, and he came up big.

"The important thing is that, when he's in that type of mood, we keep finding him those opportunities for him to do what he does best."

Henare was also keen the highlight Webster's defence - an area that has improved markedly since he first pulled on the Breakers singlet - which formed part of a strong overall unit for the champs.

During the pivotal third period, which saw the Breakers earn a 32-18 advantage, the tone was set at the defensive end and allowed the offence to take control, a run that Henare believed was sparked by Cedric Jackson shutting down Jason Cadee. The point guard's efforts atoned for an overall line that featured more turnovers than points and left the Breakers one good night away from another happy festive period.

"Our road record hasn't been great this year," Henare said. "But now we've got one under our belt and we can get another before we come home."