By SAM WORTHINGTON - The Dominion Post
Calling time out on his basketball career might turn out to be the best decision Nick Horvath ever made.

The Wellington Saints centre was burnt out last year after spending the majority of his 20s playing in both the New Zealand and Australian leagues while also representing the Tall Blacks.

Mentally and physically exhausted, a newly married Horvath disappeared from the basketball scene in 2009, travelling his homeland America with his wife, former Black Stick Sheree.

Batteries charged, the hiatus appears to have been a masterstroke and Horvath returned to the court with a vengeance on Saturday night, pouring in 29 points in a dominant opening win over the Manawatu Jets.

“The year off was the best thing for me,” Horvath said.

“I remember reading about Shane Warne when I was in Australia and he was suspended for that year [for testing positive to a banned substance].

“He said it was the best thing that ever happened to his career.

“And I can understand why. Because it just gives you time, you have no agenda and you can totally put everything into perspective.”

During the time off, Horvath had no idea whether he would play again.

“It showed me that when I’m not playing, life still goes on, you know. The people that are important to me are still there, I still have a life, I can do whatever I feel.

“It just takes a lot of pressure off performance and it’s not the entire world.

“Now that I’m back I’m just basically enjoying having fun.”

While in the States, Horvath and his wife had a house built for them in Palmerston North, where he is studying a graduate diploma in teaching at Massey University.

“We went to the US and I worked a little bit as a maths tutor because I knew I was going to be coming back and doing my diploma in teaching.

“We went to LA, Las Vegas, New York and Canada and just had a really good time. It was the first white Christmas for my wife. Halloween, did all of the things that she’d never done before so it was really fun.”

The 29-year-old said the decision to play again happened in stages.

“At first I didn’t want to look at a basketball, I didn’t want to watch basketball, I just wanted to get away and do different things. First I started watching basketball again, watching games. When I was home in the US there was college basketball on so I got interested in watching it.”

Horvath gradually got fit and the spark started to return.

“By the end I just thought `oh well, I’d kind of like to play again’.”

The 2.08m Horvath is commuting to a limited number of Saints trainings from Palmerston North though he will spend the next three weeks as a student teacher at Wellington College.

Saints chief executive Nick Mills had allowed some flexibility.

“He [Mills] was fine with the stipulations behind it and he’s been very good.

“It’s [the course] pretty full on. It’s from 9-4 or 9-5 every day plus the homework so it’s a fulltime deal. But I can’t wait to be a teacher. I’m going to be teaching physics so I’m quite excited about that.”

Despite an already crammed schedule, Horvath said he was committed to returning to the Tall Blacks this season as they eye the world championships in Turkey in August-September.

“It’s definitely my No 1 goal.”

The problem is Horvath will also require some leeway from national coach Nenad Vucinic in playing the warmup games.

“I’m just not sure I’d be able to, I’d fail my course. It could be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I think my course will be quite flexible but it might have to be something where we meet in the middle.”

The Saints’ next game is against the Cougars in Christchurch tomorrow night.

No surprise as Waikato Pistons Eric Devendorf wins Round One Player of the Week with his 49 point outburst

Devendorf’s stat line consisted of 49 Points, 17-26 FG, 7/10 3pt, 8/8 FT, 7 rebounds in a 92-73 win over the Fico Finance Nelson Giants.

Devendorf has broken the Pistons record (since 2000) knocking out Clifton Bush’s 46 against the Nelson Giants in 2001. It is also the highest points total a player has scored since 2003 when John “The Pope” Whorton scored 50 points against the Bay Hawks.

Other notable performances around the league were from sophomore for the Harbour Heat Corey Webster scoring 34 in their win against the OcenaGold Nuggets whose import Antoine Tisby had a monster 32 points and 19 rebounds.

But Tisby is currently second in the league in rebounding, behind the Pistons Alex Pledger who grabbed 20 rebounds to equal the team record also with Clifton Bush.

Heat player Dillon Boucher nearly grabbed a triple double (12 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists), while his teammate with the Heat and New Zealand Breakers Rick Rickert collected a double double of 18 points and 11 rebounds.

2009 MVP Phil Jones scored 37 against the Airs and former All Star Five Nick Horvarth scored 29 on his return to the league.
Horvarth’s fellow teammate Leon Henry assisted with 28 points at a field goal percentage of 76.9%.

Down south Cougars Paora Winitana had 27 in the win against his home town Hawks, while his team mate Jeremy Kench tallied 20 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and four steals.

In Invercargill Sharks import Mike Rose had 29 in the overtime loss versus the Hawks.

Imports Jack Leasure (Mountainairs), Demarshay Johnson (Mountainairs), Darryl Hudson (Saints) and Richard Jeter (Jets) have also impressed.

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Top 50 Player Power Rankings (92KB pdf)

Kiwi Lisa Pardon could not get on the court and had to watch as her Bulleen Boomers were toppled 75-70 by defending champions Canberra Capitals in the Australian WNBL final.

Bulleen had lost just once on their way to the regular season title and were six points ahead with 4m 33s remaining, but could not hold off Canberra’s assault down the stretch.

Superstar Lauren Jackson was named MVP for her 18 points/13 rebounds, while the victory was a triumph of pupil over master as Australian Opals coach Carrie Graff outwitted mentor Tom Maher. Both are also former Tall Ferns coaches.

Pardon played 19 games during the season, averaging 3.5 points and shooting 35.5% (11/31) from beyond the arc.

In Europe, Kiwi Brendon Polyblank had a quiet night, but his Fribourg club defended their Swiss League Cup title with a 79-78 win over Lugano Tigers in the final.

Polyblank had only three points, but earned bragging rights over former Wellington Saints team-mate Mike Efevberha, who led all scorers with 19 points in a losing effort.

Fribourg returned to earth with a thud over the weekend, though, toppled 81-74 by Starwings in the LNB. Polyblank led his team with 21 points as his team fell to 19-6 for the season.

In US college play, Tall Ferns guard Micaela Cocks and the University of Oregon fell to their fifth consecutive loss, 53-67 away to Washington State, shooting just 26% FG.

Cocks had 10 points (4/13 FG, 2/7 3pt), three rebounds, three assists and two steals as the Ducks fell to 16-13 for the season and 7-10 in the Pac-10 Conference.

Ferns centre Rebecca Dew had six points (3/5 FG), four rebounds, an assist and a block in 12 minutes as her University of Hawaii rounded off their regular season with a 51-53 loss to Utah State.

The Rainbow Wahine finished with a 10-19 record, 4-12 in the Western Athletic Conference, and enter the conference tournament as eighth seeds.

Junior Tall Black captain Dion Prewster and San Jacinto College were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Region XIV junior college tournament, defeated 61-64 by Lee College.

SJC entered the tournament seeded third, but conceded an 11-2 late in the game as their opponents snatched a six-point lead with less than two minutes remaining.
Prewster hit a three-pointer to close the gap, but Lee hung tough from the free throw line to survive down the stretch.

Robert Avery, The Pasadena Citizen
Dion Prewster describes the weather in his hometown of Wellington, New Zealand as gloomy most of the time.

His description apparently isn’t far off because a New Zealand website, although not going as far as calling the weather gloomy, did state there’s “moderately high rainfall.”

But it’s been anything but gloomy since the arrival of Prewster on the San Jacinto College basketball team’s roster because there’s been some moderately high rebounding and scoring totals coming from the sophomore.

In a nutshell, San Jac’s personable power forward has been a big reason why the Ravens have spent the entire 2009-2010 season in the Division I national rankings courtesy of a handsome 25-5 season record and first place in the Region 14 South Zone standings.

Not bad for a player who has only spent the last four years playing the game.

“This year, I was just more assertive. Being one of only two sophomores, I felt like I had to step up my game. It was just something coach expected,” Prewster said Tuesday. “Having that one year under my belt, I also felt more comfortable in the system.”

“Last year, we kept at him to be more aggressive offensively. He just seemed to settle for passing. Then all of a sudden after the first of the year he just went on a tear. He was hitting 3s, getting to the basket, rebounding, playing defense. I can’t imagine a better player in the league for about two or three weeks,” San Jac head coach Scott Gernander said.

Comfortable would be an understatement simply because Prewster just doesn’t know what an off night means. Double-double games in the scoring and rebounding columns have become commonplace for Prewster, which explains why he’s taking a 13.5 scoring average and 11.83 rebounding average to this week’s Region 14 postseason tournament in Tyler.

Ranked No. 5 in the nation in rebounding, he has gladly accepted his role as chairman of the boards, especially under the defensive glass where he’s accumulated 248 rebounds, second-best in the nation among Division I junior college teams.

“Rebounding-wise, I don’t think I’ve had a 6-4 kid rebound like he has,” Gernander said.

“Going into the season, I can’t say that was one of my goals. I just wanted to go out and rebound because it was something I did last year really well for the team,” Prewster said. “This year, it’s just been a blessing to be in that position.

“We were kind of lacking in size so I needed to pick up some more boards somewhere. Luckily enough, I’ve been grabbing my fair share. I think rebounding is more of a habit. You don’t have to jump the highest or be the tallest necessarily to grab rebounds, it’s a matter of crashing the offensive boards and anticipating.

“This year, being in the four spot, I’m definitely always around the basket and that helps too. I’m also playing a lot of minutes. There’s a lot more opportunities to grab rebounds when you’re playing that many minutes.”

“I’ve never had a kid in all my years of coaching play as many 40-minute games as he’s had,” said Garnander. “I think he’s had about five games where he’s played 40 minutes and he’s had several at 38. It’s like we want him on the floor because we run so many things through him.

“We call him a four-man position-wise but he’s outside facing the basket. He’s just such a versatile player. Just the way he’s stepped up his game offensively this year has really carried us through a whole bunch of games.”

“Last year, my three-point shooting was OK,” said Prewster. “This year, it’s been a lot better. I’m hitting threes with a little more regularity. I’ve added other positives to my game that’s opened everything else up.”

Born in California, Prewster moved to New Zealand around the age of four after his parents divorced. An only child, Prewster was raised in a single-parent home. Prewster’s mother, a native of New Zealand, kept him in sports, especially soccer.

“Really, I had been a soccer player all my life. Even as a freshman in high school, I thought I was going to be a professional soccer player. Basketball just came along because one of my good buddies played,” Prewster said. “I dunked the ball in my first game. Ever since that day, I fell in love with the game. But I think soccer helps with the footwork, the Xs and Os and timing. It goes hand-in-hand.”

As an example, Prewster calls Phoenix Suns player Steve Nash the best passer in the NBA but in the summer, Nash plays soccer. Although it’s a sport where a player can’t use his hands, it can teach running to spots to get the ball. In fact, Nash in recent years has been running a soccer charity tournament in New York City involving both NBA and soccer players.

After a move to Iowa and the program of Andy Woodley, the former Sam Rayburn head coach, Woodley told Gernander about the potential Prewster had at the collegiate level. Prewster came for a visit and the Ravens liked what they saw.

“I saw the resume and I wanted to be a part of it. I didn’t realize the prestige that this program has and its achievements until I got down here. It’s really good to be a part of it,” Prewster said.

Because of his late start in the game, Prewster takes advantage of whatever down time he has to sharpen his talents. Gernander says it’s not uncommon for Prewster to be in the weight room or shooting by himself in Anders Gym.

“He’s one of the finest young men I’ve ever coached,” Gernander said. “It’s not like he’s one of those rah-rah guys trying to get people to follow him. He just gets out there and leads by example. Almost every night he’s down here doing something extra.

“He’s kind of a workaholic and it’s paid off for him. He’s got other guys doing the same thing. You can’t get much better of a leader than he’s been. He’s one of those kids you don’t have to worry about.”

Round Two games, scores, and standings . . .

Thursday, March 11

At Cowles Stadium, Christchurch

Chrischurch Cougars v Wellington Saints, 7pm

Referees - Gavin Zimmerman, Raewyn Willocks, Ralene Forde

Saturday, March 13

At Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North

McDonalds Manawatu Jets v 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks, 6pm

Referees - Dallas Pickering, Hayden Pipe, Jame Campion

At Trafalgar Centre, Nelson

Fico Finance Nelson Giants v Wellington Saints, 7pm

Referees - Andy Thackray, Sean Cronin, Gareth Tehan

Te Awamutu Events Centre, Te Awamutu

Waikato Pistons v Taranaki Mountainairs, 7.30pm

Referees - Melony Wealleans, Jamie Hickey, Miguel Gallardo

Edgar Centre, Dunedin

Oceanagold Otago Nuggets v Christchurch Cougars, 8pm

Referees - Gavin Zimmerman, Bevan Maslin, Matt Bathurst

Sunday, March 14 Harbour Heat v Zerofees Southland Sharks, 3pm

Referees - Dallas Pickering, Melony Wealleans, Cheryl Crabbe

Team P W L Win % GB Pts Wellington Saints 1 1 0 100 0 2 Waikato Pistons 1 1 0 100 0 2 Harbour Heat 1 1 0 100 0 2 Christchurch Cougars 1 1 0 100 0 2 Bay Hawks 2 1 1 50 0.5 2 Nelson Giants 2 1 1 50 0.5 2 Taranaki Mountainairs 1 0 1 0 1 0 Southland Sharks 1 0 1 0 1 0 Otago Nuggets 1 0 1 0 1 0 Manawatu Jets 1 0 1 0 1 0

View live scores, results and standings

Southland Sharks impress in debut but Hawks show experience winning 105-90 in overtime.

Hawks had six players reach double figures led by Everard Bartlett who scored 23 points and Jamil Terrell who had 17 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks. For the Sharks newly signed import point guard Mike Rose had a game high 29.

Start of the first quarter was close but with the scores at 12-13 Hawks increased their lead with a 15-3 run, up 28-15.
In the second quarter the Sharks went on a 9-0 run and tied the game at 40 all. Hawks returned with a run of their own to end the half up 47-40.

Hawks led by as many as 14 in the 3rd but Daniel Munday (12 pts) scored seven points to end the quarter down only 72-67.

Hawks would have a battle on their hands and with 4:20 remaining the Sharks would take their first lead in the game with a Rene Rougeau putback.

Rougeau made two free throws to give the Sharks a two point lead with 54 seconds remaining. A Gareth Dawson foul on Bartlett gave the Hawks a chance for the tie, but Bartlett missed the second attempt only to get back the offensive rebound. Dave Langrell (14 pts 9 reb) was then fouled with 30 secs remaining. He made the first to tie and then missed the second.

Rose had a chance to win the game but missed his jumper putting the game to overtime.

Chris Daniel (15 pts) opened the overtime with a three pointer while the Sharks committed two offensive fouls and five turnovers in the extra period. Hawks hit 4 three’s never looking back winning the extra period 21-6.

In Palmerston North Saints thrashed the Jets thanks to 29 & 28 points from Nick Horvarth and Leon Henry respectively. But it came at a severe cost as star point guard Lindsay Tait injured his ankle in the first quarter.

The Jets who without import big Ronald Allen (Back injury) kept with the Saints in the first quarter down only six at the end of the first (22-28). Jets captain Kaine Hokianga (17 points) scored 10 in the quarter.

Saints started the second quarter with consecutive threes from Troy McLean (14 pts 4/10 3pt) and built up a thirteen point lead. But the Jets came storming back thanks to their import Richard Jeter (29 pts) who scored an unbelievable 17 consecutive points and had 20 for the quarter.

Saints were able to match Jeter when Henry (10/13 FG, 6/9 3pt) started to feel hot scoring 12 points in the quarter and hitting three three’s in a row, Saints leading the half 60-50.

Henry and Horvarth took over the third quarter and the Saints never looked back winning it 29-19 and then progressing to win the fourth 26-12.

Import for the Saints Darryl Hudson showed his versatility playing a lot of the point guard position and picked up a double/double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. New signing Casey Frank also nearly had a double/double with 8 points and 10 rebounds.

Corey Webster picked off from where he left last season scoring 34 points (6/10 3pt) as the Heat beat the Otago Nuggets 99-82.

Other notable performances by the Heat were double doubles for Breakers players Rick Rickert (18 pts 10 reb) and Dillon Boucher (12 pts 13 reb) who nearly got a triple double handing out 8 assists.

For the Nuggets former rebounding champ Antoine Tisby picked up a monster double double of 32 points and 19 rebounds. His other fellow import Tyler Amaya had 25 points and 7 assists.

Otago showed determination being down 17 at the end of the first to win the 2nd by 12 down only 43-48 at the half.

Down only 8 at the end of the 3rd Otago ran out of puff losing the fourth by 9.

Saturday, March 6

At Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North

Manawatu Jets 81 Century City Wellington Saints 115 Final

Referees - Andy Thackray, Apai Apai, Shane Nikora
1Q:22-28
HT: 50-60 (28-32)
3Q:69-89 (19-29)
FT: 81-115 (12-26)
Jets v Saints Boxscore (24KB html)

At NSEC, North Shore

Harbour Heat 99 Oceanagold Otago Nuggets 82, Final

Referees - Dallas Pickering, Miguel Gallardo, Cheryl Crabbe
1Q:34-17
HT: 48-43 (14-26)
3Q: 70-62 (22-19)
FT: 99-82 (29-20)
Heat v Nuggets Boxscore (24 KB html)

At Southland Stadium, Invercargill

Zerofees Southland Sharks 90 (Mike Rose 29, Daniel Munday 12, Ian Carthcart 11) 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks 105 (Everard Bartlett 23, Jamil Terrell 17, Nat Connell 15, Chris Daniel 15) OT Final

Referees - Gavin Zimmerman, Raewyn Willocks
1Q: 15-28
HT: 42-49 (27-20)
3Q: 67-72 (25-23)
4Q: 84-84 (17-12)
OT: 90-105 (6-21)
Sharks v Hawks Boxscore (24 KB html)

Brendon Egan, Southland Times
Stadium Southland will be full of scenes of hysteria and hype tonight for the Sharks’ first game in NBL history, but coach Richard Dickel is adamant his side won’t be overawed by the occasion.

The Sharks are expected to have a large crowd in attendance and, with many of the younger players in the Southland squad not having played in the NBL before, tonight’s match could be a shock to the system for some.

After weeks of slogging it out on the training court, Dickel said the team was ready to kick-start its debut NBL season in front of their home fans.

He believed the crowd and excitement of the night would spur the Sharks on.

“I’m fairly confident they won’t be overawed. We’ve got enough guys who have been around (in the NBL) for two or three years. I think the boys will really lift …

“It’s a great opportunity for us. No-one really thinks we’re going to win too many games. We’re the underdogs in this whole situation.”

Southland’s opponents tonight – Hawke’s Bay – will be gunning for victory after they let an 18-point halftime lead slip in their season opener against the Christchurch Cougars on Thursday night to lose 75-72.

The Hawks are missing their best player in American import and former New Zealand NBL MVP Josh Pace, who is still finishing up his commitments in the American Basketball Association, but Dickel said they were still a very talented side.

They have several potent outside shooting threats in Dave Langrell, Ben Hill, Nat Connell, Chris Daniel and Everard Bartlett, and the Sharks will have to be careful they shut them down and pressurise them on defence.

Southland will also be missing one of their key contributors, with the side’s captain and former Australian Boomer Luke Martin unavailable while his Wollongong Hawks Australian NBL team is competing in the grand final series against Perth.

The Sharks have one of the taller teams in the NBL, with Martin Iti, Gareth Dawson and James Paringatai offering plenty of size, and Dickel will be hoping his side can outmuscle the Hawks inside.

If Southland can win the rebounding battle, they should go a long way towards winning the game.

With Southland’s next four matches on the road after their season opener tonight, Dickel said Southland really needed to get their campaign off to a positive start against the Hawks.

“You always want to start the season with a good performance … We want to get better all the time.”

Dickel is making his coaching debut in the NBL tonight after previously acting as an assistant coach with the Otago Nuggets and coaching Otago in the New Zealand’s women’s league.

He said he was feeling pretty calm, just a few hours out from tipoff.

“I’m not too bad. I thought I’d be a lot more nervous … I’ve still got a lot to learn, but I’m confident in my ability to coach at this level.”

The match tips off at Stadium Southland at 7pm today, with the doors opening at 6pm.

THE TEAMS

Southland Sharks (from): Daniel Munday, Mike Rose, Rene Rougeau, James Paringatai, Martin Iti, Ian Cathcart, Gareth Dawson, Paratene McLeod, Andrew Wheeler, Pete Burgess, Bubba Lau’ese, Izaac Williams, Tavita Bower.

Bay Hawks: Nat Connell, Everard Bartlett, Chris Daniel, David Langrell, Jamil Terrell, Ben Hill, Miles Pearce, George Golden, Czebalos Smiler, Haylan Tahua.

In other games around the league Manawatu Jets will host the Wellington Saints and the Harbour Heat will take on the reinstated Otago Nuggets

Saturday, March 6

At Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North

Manawatu Jets v Century City Wellington Saints, 6pm

Referees - Andy Thackray, Apai Apai, Shane Nikora

At NSEC, North Shore

Harbour Heat v Oceanagold Otago Nuggets, 7pm

Referees - Dallas Pickering, Miguel Gallardo, Cheryl Crabbe

At Southland Stadium, Invercargill

Zerofees Southland Sharks v 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks, 7pm

Referees - Gavin Zimmerman, Raewyn Willocks, Shane Nikora

Live score updates on NBL section of this website

Taranaki Mountainairs fight back, but not enough as Giants win 84-82

The Airs nearly pulled off the come from behind victory, but a Michael Harrison jumper with 1.1 seconds sealed the deal. Airs had a chance to win or tie but couldn’t get a shot off as import big Demarshay Johnson lost the ball.

Angelo Hill showed a little innovation when he decided to put Jeremiah Trueman on Phil Jones, but that would be to no avail as Jones scored 37 points (6-12 3pt FG) and went to the line an astonishing 16 times making 13.

Former Junior Tall Black Josh Bloxham scored 15 and Tony Rampton was the only other player for the Giants in the double figures with 11.

Airs imports Jack Leasure and Demarshay Johnson had strong games scoring 26 and 23 respectively, while former Auckland point guard Tyrone Davey pitched in with 11.

Jones after shooting poorly the previous night against the Pistons, got off to a quick start scoring 10 in the opening quarter, Giants up 20-14.

Mountainairs fought back with two threes by Leasure to have a brief two point lead, Jones replied with two threes of his own. Halftime the Giants had the lead at 45-41

Giants took advantage of early turnovers by the Airs and extended their lead to 9, Airs countered with a three point play by Johnson and lay ups from Davey and Leasure to cut deficit to 3.

A couple of threes from Jones and Bloxham helped build the Giants lead to 12 to end the third,

To start the fourth the Giants led by as many as 15 and it all looked but over for the Airs, but they showed resolve going on an 8-0 run.

Giants would now be in a dogfight and would commit 5 fourth quarter turnovers compared to none for the Airs.

With 58 seconds remaining the score was all tied up from two made free throws by Johnson. Airs then forced a Rampton turnover and had a chance to take the lead. A missed three pointer by Davey ensured that the Giants would have the last shot. Harrison had only nine for the game but nailed the jumpshot that counted.

Mountainairs still can’t find that win putting their losing streak to 17 having not won since June 7 2008 against the Harbour Heat.

Giants will be happy to at least go 1-1 on their road trip without star signing Mika Vukona, but must feel a little uneasy with the injury loss of Darryl Jones and would strongly have to consider filling their second import spot.

Friday, March 5

At TSB Stadium, New Plymouth

Taranaki Mountainairs 82 Fico Finance Nelson Giants 84 Final

Melony Wealleans, Yalla Edwards, Gareth Tehan
1Q: 14-20
HT: 41-45 (27-25)
3Q: 57-69 (16-24)
FT: 82-84 (25-15)
Mountainairs v Giants Boxscore(24 KB html)

Murray Hills, Taranaki Daily News
Jeremiah Trueman can’t wait to get back on court and play basketball.

The Tall Black and Breakers forward, who has signed with the Taranaki Mountain Airs for this year’s National Basketball League, has been starved of court time this year.

In some games for the Breakers he only got a few minutes, in others none.

“The most time I got was against the Wollongong Hawks, 17 minutes,” said the 22-year-old who stands 2.05m.

“I’m just looking forward to playing again. It’s been a while with the Breakers missing the playoffs. Hopefully, I’ll get plenty of minutes for Taranaki. It’s a chance for me to make a mark and help get things moving forward.”

Trueman said he had been impressed with what he had seen at practice since arriving late last week.

“Things are pretty good. We’re definitely going to be one of the fittest teams in the league. We’re a young side and we’ll play a run and gun style of play. It’s exciting and it suits my play, we definitely have the tools to push the tempo.”

Another thing Trueman was enjoying was the home comforts.

“We’re [his wife Mary and six-month old son Josiah] staying with mum and dad [Trueman's parents Cathy and Marty]. It’s been nice spending time with them after being away so long,” Trueman said.

Trueman knows Taranaki’s opener against Nelson will be tough – especially after the Giants lost to the Waikato Pistons 92-73 in Te Awamutu last night.

“I played for Nelson in 2004 and 2005 before heading to university in the United States. They’ve got a number of players who are Tall Blacks or former Tall Blacks and are always tough to beat.”

The addition of Trueman to the playing roster is a big plus for new coach Angelo Hill who took over from Trent Adam after a disastrous 2009 season that failed to net a win.

“Jeremiah plays hard and has a good work ethic. He’s the type of player who will do the business on court and gives us double doubles, say 15 points and 10 rebounds,” Hill said.

Like Trueman, Hill expected a tough battle tonight.

“They’re a perennial power. It’s not a cake walk game. They’ll be coming here to pick up a win,” Hill said. “It’s just nice to finally be playing. It’s a chance to play the best and it will show us just where we are.

“Sure they will be hard with guys like Phill Jones, Tony Rampton and Michael Fitchett, but we need to start well. Hopefully, the crowd will come along and get behind us.”

Also last night, the Christchurch Cougars beat the Bay Hawks 75-72.

Tony Parker is going through one of his toughest NBA campaigns to date, but insists his desire to play for France at the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Men still burns bright.

“I still want to play this summer because I still want to go to the Olympics in 2012,” Parker told the San Antonio Express-News.

The French star guard has always worn the national colours with great pride and done just about everything possible to further the country’s basketball cause year in and year out.

Last summer, following a long and gruelling season, he went through preparation games and the Additional Qualifying Round to help France clinch the last berth for EuroBasket 2009. Les Bleus then went on to finish fifth in Poland, a result that booked their place in Turkey this summer.

With a star-laden team, Vincent Collet’s charges could be a serious medal contender and perhaps even dream of qualifying directly for London 2012, should they bring home the gold medal from Istanbul.

France face the NZ Tall Blacks, Spain, Lithuania, Canada and Lebanon in pool play.

And while the San Antonio Spurs playmaker has had great success stateside by winning three NBA championships, he has not been quite as triumphant with France and it is something that still drives him to this day.

Back in 2000, on a team that also included the likes of Boris Diaw, Mickael Pietrus and Ronny Turiaf, Parker led France went to U18 European Championship glory.

Les Bleus are still looking to make their first appearance on the top step of the podium in one of the basketball’s main senior international competitions.

French fans hoping to see Parker & Co try to accomplish that historical feat in Turkey will be disheartened by the rumours swirling that he might miss out in order to rest his banged-up body.

“I think what happened this year is going to affect my decision,” the 27-year-old said, referring to how he has picked up just about every nagging injury imaginable - ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, strained hip muscle and even food poisoning - so far this season.

Having to play through those ailments has not worked out to perfection and as a result his play has suffered from it. Parker looks a step slower than his usual self and has been unable to build on the banner year he had in 2008-2009. His current averages of 16.6 points and 5.7 assists through 48 games are well below the career-highs of 22.0 and 6.9 he set last season.

And as he looks ahead to the autumn, when he will enter the final year of his contract, there is no doubt in his mind that he wants to regain the kind of form which made him a three-time All-Star as well as an NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.

To that end, he is willing to consider doing everything in his power to be at full strength - even if that means reluctantly spending the summer on the beach to rest his aching body rather than suiting up for the French national team.

“I think it’s finally catching up with me a little bit,” Parker said of taking part in last summer’s EuroBasket in Poland. “That tells me I’m going to have to make decisions about my priorities.

“At the end of the season, I’m definitely going to sit down and look at what happened this year and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Bad Boy Eric Devendorf has showed his worth pouring in 49 points against the Nelson Giants tonight

The Pistons unleashed two dazzling quarters of offensive shooting power coasting to a 92-73 victory.
Devendorf put on a shooting clinic for the Waikato Pistons hitting seven of his 10 three point attempts on top of 10 from 16 field goals.

It took the Pistons two quarters to gain control of the season opener, leading 18-17, at the end of the first quarter.
That lead was extended to 41-34 at half time with Devendorf closing out that quarter with a clutch three point shot.

The Pistons were in an aggressive mood with their bigs - Alex Pledger, Tony Ronaldson - leading a monster rebounding haul throughout the game.

The Pistons were totally dominate in the rebounding stats-gaining 24 offensive rebounds-which was more than Nelson had off their own defensive glass.

The rebounding stats were a glaring example of where the Giants struggled without the services of livewire Tall Black Mika Vukona.

The Pistons murdered Nelson 57-32 on rebounding alone and with an array of jump shooters head coach Dean Vickerman could rotate into the game-Nelson struggled to contain a rampant home team.

Devendorf ignited a massive third-quarter scoring sequence for the Pistons with the home team scoring 25 points during this period of the game.

The former College star unleashed a breath taking series of jump shots in transition as the Pistons lifted the game tempo pushing the ball quickly up the court.

With one player dominating the shoot stats it was left to fellow guards Gerard Bowden (10 points) and Hayden Allen (nine points) to play supporting roles for the American import.

Nelson Giants Michael Harrison had a good all round for the visiting team scoring 24 points and pulling in four rebounds.

Harrison was difficult to guard particularly off the dribble when he had the ability to attack Pledger, Ronaldson and Mike Homik off the dribble.

Giants will travel to New Plymouth to play the Mountainairs tomorrow.

Christchurch Cougars have comeback from twenty down in the 3rd to secure a 75-72 win over the Bay Hawks

Cougars Paora Winitana top scored with 27 (10-16 FG) against his hometown and also former Hawk Jeremy Kench 20 points, six rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

For the Hawks, former Canterbury Rams players David Langrell had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Nat Connell scored 15. Hawks import Jamil Terrell struggled, fouling out with four points and eight turnovers.

Both teams came out rusty in the opening quarter both committing 4 turnovers and shooting under forty percent from the field, Hawks leading 19-18.

With 6.45 left in the second quarter the Hawks made an amazing 17-0 -run behind the play of Langrell who had 18 and Connell 11 to end the half with the Hawks up 48-30.

But in the third the Cougars fought back and went on a 14-3 run, down only 57-51 at the end of the third.
The fourth would be a tight one but the Cougars would finally get their first lead since early in the second from a Kench three pointer. Hawks had a brief one point lead, but the home side closed the game behind 18 second half points from Winitana.

Cougars also put the clamps on Langrell who was held scoreless and Connell only 4 in the second half. An amazing forty turnovers were committed in the game (Cougars 20 Hawks 25)

Hawks will now travel down to Invercargill to play the Southland Sharks in their first NBL game on Saturday.

Thursday, March 4

At Cowles Stadium, Christchurch

Christchurch Cougars 75 (Paora Winitana 27, Jeremy Kench 20) 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks 72 (Dave Langrell 18, Nat Connell 15, Ben Hill 12) Final

Referees - Raewyn Willocks, Gavin Zimmerman, Raelene Forde
1Q: 18-19
HT: 30-48 (11-30)
3Q: 51-57 (21-9)
FT: 75-72 (24-15)

Cougars v Hawks Boxscore (24kb html)

At Te Awamutu Events Centre

Waikato Pistons 92 (Eric Devendorf 49, Alex Pledger 11 Gerard Bowden 10) Fico Finance Nelson Giants 73 (Michael Harrison 24, Phil Jones 17, Tony Rampton 13) Final

Referees - Gavin Whiu, Jamie Hickey, Kelly McLeod
1Q: 18-17
HT: 41-34 (23-17)
3Q: 66-51 (25-17)
FT: 92-73 (26-22)
Pistons v Giants Boxscore(24KB html)

Ian Anderson, Waikato Times
The Nelson Giants may be without two of their big names when they tip-off the National Basketball League season against the Waikato Pistons in Te Awamutu tomorrow night.

The visitors are sweating on the fitness of imported forward Michael Harrison while it seems unlikely Tall Blacks forward Mika Vukona will be available for the clash.

However, the Giants will still have the likes of veteran stars Phill Jones, Tony Rampton and former Pistons point guard Mike Fitchett to challenge the two-times defending champions.

Harrison badly injured an ankle last month during a pre-season match and the 2.06m forward has been undergoing physiotherapy treatment in an effort to be fit for tomorrow’s encounter at 7.30pm.

Vukona, a powerful inside force who is an outstanding rebounder and has worked hard to improve his shooting, may be unavailable due to commitments with his Australian NBL side Gold Coast Blaze, despite the team being knocked out of the playoffs last week.

Nelson recorded losses to the Christchurch Cougars and Southland Sharks in their pre-season buildup but were without the likes of Jones and Rampton and scored a win over the Otago Nuggets.

The Dean Vickerman-coached Pistons warmed up for the match with a comfortable win in Saturday’s match against the Harbour Heat in Hamilton.

The hosts leapt out to a sizeable early lead and were able to rest their starters later.

Exciting New Zealand Breakers swingman Thomas Abercrombie led the Pistons’ scoring with 21 points. Centre Alex Pledger was another standout with 17 points and 11 rebounds while imported guard Eric Devendorf had 15 points in the first half before playing limited minutes in the second half.

The hosts will be favoured to repeat last season’s Grand Finals triumph with a win over the Giants.

TEAMS

Waikato Pistons (from): Eric Devendorf, Hayden Allen, Gerard Bowden, Thomas Abercrombie, Tony Ronaldson, Alex Pledger, Mike Homik, Puke Lenden, Ray Cameron, Kurtis Elliott, Royli Ali, John Auld.

Nelson Giants (from): Phill Jones, Tony Rampton, Mika Vukona, Michael Harrison, Mike Fitchett, Darryl Jones, Josh Bloxham, Ben Wright, Steve Bill, Bronson Beri, Nico Ritschny, Sam Dempster, Tom Ingham.

For more information check out NBL Preview below

2010 NBL Preview(776kb)

The North Otago Basketball Association is seeking to employ a coaching development officer/administrator for the 2010 season.

The successful applicant will work 30 hours per week, starting immediately through to the end of September 2010. .

Job summary includes:

• Co-ordination of player and coach development

• Organise and carry out schools coaching programme

• Develop a coaches network.

• Recruit and develop new coaches

• Develop reporting system

• Developing and updating NOBA website

• Organise local competitions, including draws

It is essential that the applicant has had previous coaching experience, and is self motivated with good communication and organisational skills.

A certificate in Coaching Level One would be beneficial.

A full job description is available on application to:

Brian de Geest
North Otago Basketball Assn
Email brian@degeest.com
Phone 034371172
Mobile 0272428646

Apllications close Friday, March 19.

FIBA
Nicolas Batum missed the first 45 games of the NBA season while recovering from shoulder injury, but he looks better than ever right now with the Portland Trail Blazers.

And that’s great news for France, who will play at the FIBA World Championship later this year in Turkey.

The 21-year-old had 31 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals in Saturday’s big win over Minnesota while on Monday, Batum drilled four of seven shots from behind the arc and finished with 21 points.

For a player best known for his defense, Batum is showing he’s becoming the complete player under Portland coach Nate McMillan – an assistant coach of Team USA.

“I think I’m more mature this year,” said Batum.

“My approach of the game is different.

“When I play the game, I’m different because I see more. I’ve learned a lot. I’m just more mature than last year.”

McMillan believes Batum became a more confident player last summer when he represented France.

The 2.01m guard/forward competed in the Additional Qualifying Round, and at the EuroBasket and helped France earn a trip to the 2010 FIBA World Championship. France will face the NZ Tall Blacks, Spain, Lithuania, Canada and Lebanon in pool play at Izmir.

With the French national side at the EuroBasket, he developed into one of the side’s most potent players when it came to attacking the basket. At the EuroBasket, Batum averaged 9.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

“I want to be more aggressive on offense,” Batum said. “Do my thing on offense and have fun.”

FIBA
One Canada international that is building up a full head of steam ahead of the FIBA World Championship for Men in Turkey is Andy Rautins of Syracuse University.

The fifth-year senior has helped fire the Orange to the number one ranking in the land and on Tuesday night, the sharpshooting guard played his last-ever home game with the school.

He drilled four of nine shots from long range and finished with 14 points in Syracuse’s 85-66 demolition of St John’s at the Carrier Dome.

Rautins, whose Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim is an assistant with Team USA, also had seven assists, two rebounds and a steal as Syracuse clinched the Big East Regular Season title.

“I really couldn’t think of a better way to go out,” said Rautins. “We’re not going to be satisfied just yet.”

While he’s hoping to make it in the NBA, Rautins is also looking to make a statement with his country when they go up against Spain, Lithuania, France, New Zealand and Lebanon in Group D of the FIBA World Championship.

Rautins’ father, Leo, who also played at Syracuse and was on hand to watch his son play against St John’s, is the coach of Canada.

Burger King NZ Breakers superstar guard Kirk Penney and Wollongong Hawk’s head coach Gordie McLeod have been named the Australian NBL’s Player and Coach of the Month respectively for January/February.

Penney left rivals in his wake this month polling 37 votes to take out the award. The closest anyone came to the Breaker’s guard was Julius Hodge from the Melbourne Tigers with 14 votes, followed by Adam Gibson from Gold Coast Blaze with 8.

Over the Breakers’ nine games in the month of January/ February, Penney averaged 24.9 points per game, shooting the ball at a sweltering 44.4% from the field. Penney also averaged 2.6 assists and 5.9 rebounds.

A highlight of Penney’s incredible two months was his performance against the Cairns Taipains on February 13, where he had 23 points, six rebounds and one assist. He was instrumental on the Breakers’ late challenge for a playoff berth and their season-ending six-game win streak.

McLeod is considered a hot contender for Coach of the Year honours after helping lead his team to the 2010 NBL Grand Final series, and his efforts in January and February were outstanding. He finished a step ahead of the rest of his fellow coaches by scoring 30 votes, with the Breakers’ Andrej Lemanis seven votes behind with 23. Rob Beveridge from the Perth Wildcats, McLeod’s rival in the upcoming Grand Final series which tips-off Friday, was third with 18 votes.

McLeod had his troops firing on all cylinders in January and February. After recording a 6-3 record between rounds 15 and 20, McLeod helped his team to a surprise second-placed finish on the ladder despite losing dynamic import Tywain McKee to a season-ending back injury. During January/February, McLeod guided his team to wins against, Townsville, Gold Coast, New Zealand, Melbourne, and Adelaide.

The NBL’s Player and Coach of the Month for January/February took into account Rounds 15 to 20 inclusive. All NBL Head Coaches and accredited media were eligible to vote for the awards.

NBL Player of the Month – January/February 2010

Kirk Penney NZ Breakers 37
Julius Hodge Melbourne 14
Adam Gibson Gold Coast 8
Mark Worthington Melbourne 7
Shawn Redhage Perth 6
Cameron Tragardh Wollongong 4
CJ Bruton NZ Breakers 1

NBL Coach of the Month – January/February 2010

Gordie McLeod Wollongong 30
Andrej Lemanis NZ Breakers 23
Rob Beveridge Perth 18
Al Westover Melbourne 7
Trevor Gleeson Townsville 1

Geoff Longley, The Press
Dean Le Warne hopes to be making his national basketball league debut tomorrow night at Cowles Stadium for the Christchurch Cougars – as a 34-year-old rookie.

In a sport where springheeled teenagers are often to the fore, Le Warne is keeping pace with the province’s best.

Le Warne wants to be on the 12-man scoresheet when the Cougars have their first match against the Bay Hawks and with just 14 in the squad the chances are good.

The next step after that is court time.

Le Warne, who turns 35 during the season, said he was encouraged to try out again after missing making the Canterbury Rams selections many years ago.

“I had aspirations to play national league but sort of thought they were gone after that and club stuff would be my lot.

“I watched the Cougars start last season and thought they ran a good programme. So I thought I might go the trials and see where things went from there.”

Le Warne, a 1.90m small forward, impressed coaches Andrew Gardiner and Craig Hickford with his heady play and fitness to earn a spot in the squad for the forthcoming season.

“There’s been quite a lot of ribbing from the coaches, after all I’m only a couple of years younger than they are.

“But I’ve really enjoyed it and I like to think I can make a contribution drawing on the experience I have.

“I might not have quite the strength or size to play inside but I hope I’ve got the smarts.”

Le Warne said he was unlikely to be a leading scorer, saying he was more of a defensive specialist.

Gardiner confirmed that Le Warne was a tenacious defender whose never-say-die attitude they liked.

“He is also a great team man, is prepared to put his body on the line and nothing is a problem.”

Le Warne attended Mairehau High School, once a basketball stronghold, and then played at premier level for the Celtics club and latterly the Wolverines.

He is not the only “oldie” in the team, with clubmate Lionel Hopgood also in his early 30s.

A father of two young children, Le Warne said he was grateful for the support of his wife, which allowed him to pursue his hoop dreams.

And if things go well this season and the body is willing Le Warne hasn’t ruled out challenging for a position again next season.

Logan Savory, Southland Times
The Sharks have signed a United States import on a short-term deal as the new Southland National Basketball League team eyes a positive start to their debut season.

Twenty-two-year-old Mike Rose arrived in Invercargill last night to provide cover for the Sharks in the early rounds of the competition.

The Southland team has been dealt a blow with its key player and captain Luke Martin ruled out for Saturday night’s opening game because of his involvement in the Australian National Basketball League.

Martin’s ANBL team the Wollongong Hawks have progressed to the finals, which has delayed his arrival in Southland.

The Sharks also have another US import in their sights but he also won’t be available until a few rounds into the competition.

This has prompted coach Richard Dickel to bring in Rose on a short-term deal.

Rose has been playing the ANBL for the Melbourne Tigers and while his stint in Invercargill at this stage is for only a month, he could possibly stay longer if required.

Rose has previously played for a professional team in Turkey and had an impressive college career with Eastern Kentucky University.

Rose finished as the university’s all-time leader in games played, second on the all-time scoring list and second in the all-time three-points made list.

With Martin’s absence against Hawke’s Bay on Saturday night, Ian Carthcart will take on the captaincy duties.

“We’re supportive of Luke and we hope he can win a title with Wollongong.

“He is going to a big loss for us, though. He was our first signing, he’s our captain, he is a lot to us,” Dickel said.

Scott Morgan, Central Leader
It has been a rapid rise to the top for Junior Tall Black Jerome Tafa.

The 18-year-old was plucked from Onehunga High School’s premier basketball team last year to represent his country at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany this April.

Tafa, who has only played basketball for the last three years, says it was a surprise to be included in the national squad.

“It took a while to sink in. The majority of the guys have been through the age group teams.

“When everyone asks about it, then it really sinks in. It lets you know hard work pays off.”

At more than two metres tall Tafa has the height to compete at international level, though he knows there’ll be plenty of players taller than him at the upcoming tournament.

Originally, the Onehunga resident planned on joining the navy this year after graduating from the school’s service academy, which helps prepare students for a career in the military.

But after being selected in the New Zealand side, Tafa decided he needed to give his basketball dream a shot.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for me before I go into the navy.”

He’s also aware there could be the opportunity to turn professional if he performs well.

“You never know what will turn up. It’s always good to have a look.”

While he’s never played international basketball before, the forward is training about 15 hours a week.

The training includes specialist sessions to improve his skill-set and monthly squad camps in Hamilton.

“It’s not exciting training, but it’s what we have to do to make sure we’re good enough. Competing is my big thing,” he says.

“I’ll get excited about the tournament once we get on the plane.”

He’ll also have the opportunity to come to grips with the next step up thanks to three warm-up matches against Greece before the tournament.

Along with training, Tafa is also working part-time in a warehouse to pay for the $7000 trip.

New Zealand coach Deslea Wrathall says Tafa has several attributes that will serve him well in Germany.

“He’s got the size and mobility. Jerome can play the physical game we need him to over there.

“He brings a really good work ethic to the team, understands the big picture and is a good team person.”

Ms Wrathall says the Albert Schweitzer tournament is the second most prestigious tournament in the under-19 age group behind world champs, which were held in New Zealand last year.

She hopes the experiences gained in Germany will allow her side to overcome their main opposition Australia at the Oceania Championships in September, with the winner qualifying for the world champs.