28th June 2010

David Langrell's done and he's ready to "play dad".

The 0800 Easy LPG Hawks one-season captain has never won a National Basketball League title in his 178-match career but he is philosophical after his troops bowed out in the semifinals against the Wellington Saints in the capital on Friday night.

"I'm done, retired," the 34-year-old forward told SportToday. "I'm expecting a second kid on the way in October and I've had a fabulous time in the Bay," he said, thanking the Hawks franchise and head coach Shawn Dennis for making his family feel at home.

ANENDRA SINGH | 28th June 2010

DIGGING DEEP: The up-against-it Hawks are all ears as head coach Shawn Dennis lays down the law in the octane-fuelled final quarter of the NBL semifinals in Wellington on Friday night.A staggering 45 shots from the free-throw line has left Shawn Dennis scratching his head after the National Basketball League semifinals.

"You've got to ask were we that dirty or fouling that much more than them," the 0800 Easy LPG Hawks head coach said after their 98-92 defeat against the Wellington Saints in the capital last Friday night.

ANENDRA SINGH | 26th June 2010

GOING UP: Hawks import Jon Rogers defies gravity for a basket as teammate Jarrod Kenny watches and Saints' Nick Horvath waits for a rebound.

Paul Henare unzipped the kit bag and white shirts spilled out on to the floor of the changing room.

Any other game night of the National Basketball League (NBL) no one would have even cast a sideways glance because that's the colour the 0800 Easy LPG Hawks players' religiously don away from home.

But last night, the players' hearts missed a beat or two.

June 25, 2010

Waikato Pistons move one step closer to a three peat after defeating the Fico Finance Nelson Giants 74-62, while the Exodus Saints has survived in a thriller beating the 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks 98-92 making it a rematch of the 2008 Finals.

The Pistons trailed by nine at the end of first quarter, but they won the second and third quarters by a margin of 47-28. Hayden Allen having a game high 28 points, Thomas Abercrombie and Alex Pledger the only other Piston players to score in double figures with 14 and 16 respectively.

By SAM WORTHINGTON - AAP Last updated 05:00 26/06/2010

ROSS GIBLIN/The Dominion PostMY BALL: Wellington Saints guard Lindsay Tait drives between Hawks guards Josh Pace and Paul Henare during their NBL semifinal in Wellington.

1st Quarter Pistons 14 Giants 23 In Waikato
Half Time Pistons 41 Giants 38
End Third Pistons 54 Giants 49
3mins left Pistons 64 Giants 55
FINAL Waikato Pistons 74 Ecogise Giants 62
Pistons to Grand Final Series

1st Quarter Saints 19 Hawks 21 In TSB Arena Wellington
Half Time Saints 47 Hawks 41
End Third Saints 68 Hawks 61
FINAL Exodus Saints 98 0800 Easy LPG Hawks 92

25th June 2010

It's play-off time and Shawn Dennis is pulling out the big quotes.

Here's one the outgoing 0800 Easy LPG Hawks head coach delicately puts from former Houston Rockets coach Tim Jankovich: "Never underestimate the heart of a lion."

After Wednesday night's quarterfinal victory over the Harbour Heat in Auckland, Dennis can almost hear the thudding heartbeat of American imports Josh Pace and Jon Rogers resonate at the basketball court during the National Basketball League (NBL) semifinals in Wellington tonight.

Injured Devendorf back to lead Saints challenge

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By SAM WORTHINGTON - The Dominion Post

June 23, 2010

0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks head to Wellington after holding off a courageous Harbour Heat team 82-77 in North Shore.

In an unbelievable turn of events the Harbour Heat had to play tonights game without two of their three leading scorers Corey Webster and Kavossy Franklin for disciplinary reasons. Rick Rickert lead his side with a game high 30 points, while Beny Anthony had 17 and Reece Cassidy added 12 just coming up short of what would of been an unbelievable upset.

The Bay Hawks have kept their National Basketball League flame flickering with a gutsy quarterfinal win over the North Harbour Heat in Auckland tonight.

Their 82-77 road win earned them a semifinal against top qualifiers Wellington in the capital on Friday night.

They rose to the challenge after a sloppy first quarter when they trailed 15-24.

But thereafter the Hawks lifted their game, dominating the second period 27-12 to edge in front by halftime.

Point guard Josh Pace served them extremely well, posting 28 points in a fine individual display.