By SAM WORTHINGTON - The Dominion Post

Former Syracuse University team-mates Eric Devendorf and Josh Pace go head-to-head in the capital tonight as two of the NBL's hottest teams jockey for playoff positions.

Both Devendorf's Saints and Pace's Hawks have been in electric form during the past fortnight as the Americans continue to adjust to their new teams.

The Saints are 4-0 with Devendorf on court while Pace led the Hawks to big wins over Nelson and Taranaki last weekend.

Sunday, May 9
At TSB Stadium, New Plymouth

Taranaki Mountain Airs 76 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks 99, Final
Referees - Melony Wealleans, Cherryl Crabbe, Sean Cronin
1Q: 19-26
HT: 41-53 (22-27)
3Q: 62-79 (21-26)
FT: 76-99 (14-20)

Giants' defence show no urgency

By PETE MCNAE - The Nelson Mail Last updated 13:00 08/05/2010

From the peaks of Palmerston North to the holes in Hawke's Bay in 24 hours – that's the topographical summary of the Nelson Giants' road trip in the national basketball league.

Fresh off a 106-86 hammering of Manawatu on Thursday, the Fico Finance Giants were humbled by the Bay Hawks, 80-54, in Napier last night.

Giants coach Chris Tupu could barely find words to describe the Nelson team's poorest defensive performance of the Bartercard NBL season.

May 8, 2010

At Pettigrew Green Arena the 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks have given the Fico Finance Nelson Giants a thrashing winning 80-54.

Giants had a nightmare third quarter being held to five points shooting 2/17 from the field and 0/8 from the three point line. Meanwhile the Hawks managed to shoot a touch under 50% from the field.

After struggling down in Nelson Josh Pace made amends top scoring with 18 points (8/15 FG) and his fellow import Jon Rogers 13 points and 9 rebounds which now puts the Hawks one game over .500.

Championship-winning Perth Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge has urged the Australian NBL to scrap the development player rule, claiming it has no place in an elite competition.

Each club must have at least one Australian or New Zealand player under the age of 24 on their list, with the age limit lifted from 23 last season.

But Beveridge, who guided the Cats to their fifth ANBL title last season, claimed the rule was unnecessary.

"I totally disagree with the rule," Beveridge said on Wednesday.

"This is an elite competition, it's not a development league.

ANENDRA SINGH | 6th May 2010

It's good to snare quality basketball imports, but the challenge is in holding on to them.

0800 Easy LPG Hawks head coach Shawn Dennis reckons when you find quality players, it is crucial to keep them in the franchise for the long term.

His comments come on the heels of the franchise signing up the American pair of Josh Pace and Jon Rogers in the past few weeks to bolster the Hawks' ranks following an up-and-down season to date.

ANENDRA SINGH | 6th May 2010

The question-and-answer ritual isn't always conclusive in the intriguing world of journalism.

Typically, it's not until Jon Rogers peels off his flimsy white T-shirt after about 30 minutes of interview with SportToday at the Pettigrew-Green Arena for a photo shoot that you start getting a picture of what this man is all about.

You could safely say the 0800 Easy LPG Hawks' latest signing from the United States allegorically bares his soul as he lifts the threads of a material existence to expose his life's ambitions.

Former Tall Black is Sharks' latest catch

By BRENDON EGAN - The Southland Times Last updated 05:00 04/05/2010

Former Tall Black squad member Arthur Trousdell will go from freediving in the Bahamas to swimming with the Sharks at Stadium Southland on Saturday night.

The 29-year-old forward signed on with the NBL's newest franchise yesterday and will provide Southland with valuable experience and another strong rebounding presence as they look to make a push for the playoffs in the coming weeks.

By PETE MCNAE - The Nelson Mail

And then there were two …

Until a few days ago, a hearty helping of the Bay Hawks basketball team consisted of former Nelson Giants.

Josh Pace was the leading scorer and starting point guard, Chris Daniel’s 13 points a game from the small forward spot were the third-best in the team, and Jamil Terrell manned the middle and was a gnat’s whisker below 10 rebounds a game.

ANENDRA SINGH | 27th April 2010

DIDN'T EXPECT IT: Jamil TerrellIt's a cracker Sunday but Jamil Terrell hasn't quite warmed up to the task.

The American import basketballer is trying to get his head around why he is suddenly redundant as a professional player.

"Oh man, it's just crazy man," he tells SportToday as he sits on the ample deck of the Kennedy Rd flat he shares with three other 0800 Easy LPG Hawks teammates in Napier.