AUS/NZL - Hawks continue to amaze downunder

AUCKLAND (NBL) - The community owned Wollongong Hawks sit alone on top of the NBL ladder after defeating the New Zealand Breakers, 73-57, in Auckland to start Round 6.

The Hawks stunned the league last year by making the grand final despite only spending around 80% of the AUS$1 million salary cap, and with a 7-1 record to start the 2011 season they look on track to repeat the dose.

In their rout of the Breakers it was Wollongong's two internationals, Glen Saville (7 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals) and Oscar Forman (21 points, 11 rebounds) who led the way.

Forman represented Australia in 2009 at the FIBA Oceania Championship and the Stankovic Cup, but after a poor 2010 NBL season was released by the Breakers in favour of Kiwi international Mika Vukona after three years at the club.

The 205cm Forman has been the revelation of this NBL season though, forming a dangerous and mobile frontcourt combination with Larry Davidson (15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks) and forcing his name back in front of the Australian selectors.

It was a night to forget for the 5-2 Breakers, backing up from a 40-point hiding at the hands of Perth less than a week earlier. Their star backcourt of Kirk Penney, CJ Bruton and Kevin Braswell combined for just 30 points on 11/39 shooting, as the Breakers shot 32% from the field and 2/15 from beyond the arc in front of almost 4000 fans.

The Perth Wildcats moved into third position with a hard fought 93-84 road win over the winless Melbourne Tigers, who featured new import and reigning league MVP Corey Williams after his deal with Greek team Marousi fell through.

After Melbourne had clawed an 8-point half time deficit to 69-69 at the last break, the Wildcats rallied in the final term and import Kevin Lisch (20 points, 7/11fg) capped off a fine game with a clutch triple to put the game beyond doubt.

Perth also got great service from Olympian Shawn Redhage (15 points, 7 rebounds) and 2003 FIBA U19 World Championship gold medallists Matthew Knight (13 points, 5 rebounds), Damian Martin (10 points, 6 rebounds) and Brad Robbins (10 points, 3 assists).

Melbourne's best was Cameron Tragardh with 19 points, while Williams had the contrasting stat line of 15 points and 10 assists to go with 8 turnovers and 5/17 shooting from the field.

The Tigers would finally get their first win of the season two nights later on the Gold Coast, defeating the struggling Blaze 85-82 in a heart stopper.

Melbourne led by 20 points at half time but Williams (19 points, 7/17fg, 7 rebounds, 10 turnovers) and fellow import Eric Devendorf were unable to handle the Blaze's full court pressure as the home team forced repeated turnovers and drew level at 80-80 with 1:08 to play.

A massive three-pointer from Tigers veteran Tommy Greer (13 points, 12 rebounds) in the final seconds was enough to seal it for Melbourne, who also received strong showings from Daryl Corletto (13 points) and centre Matthew Burston (10 points, 5 rebounds).

Australian FIBA World Championship starter Adam Gibson was the Blaze's best with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.

In the other two games of the round the Adelaide 36ers fell to 2-5 with back-to-back losses to the Cairns Taipans and Townsville Crocs in North Queensland.

Out of form New Zealand Tall Black Phill Jones finally found his stroke for the Taipans with 15 points. Import guard Ayinde Ubaka was also superb with 21 points and 5 assists as Cairns triumphed 87-71 in front of a near sellout crowd of 4920.

In Townsville the next night it was Michael Cedar (17 points) and Luke Schenscher (11 points, 9 rebounds) who guided the home team to a tight 77-73 victory.

The Crocs had led 51-38 at half time, but behind their physical defence and the offence of captain Adam Ballinger (14 points, 8 rebounds), the 36ers fought back to take the lead late in the game. Only two big baskets to former Australian Boomer Peter Crawford and two clutch free throws from Cedar secured Townsville win in front of 4021 fans.

Paulo Kennedy
FIBA