AUS/NZL - One sharp shooter steps up, another bows out

AUCKLAND (NBL) - The illustrious career of Australian guard Brett Maher came to an end in Auckland last week, when his Adelaide 36ers fell 131-101 to the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL Elimination Final round.

A veteran of three Olympics, one FIBA World Championships and three NBL titles, Maher will be remebered as one of Australia's greatest shooters. Unfortunately, his last game was a 3-point, 1/11fg performance as the Breakers scored an incredible 45 points in the final quarter to run away victors after a tense first three quarters. In typical Maher fashion, despite his poor shooting night he still managed to contribute to the team with 5 assists and 5 rebounds.

It was another of Australia's great guards that proved the difference in the contest. CJ Bruton, the Boomers starting point guard at the 2006 FIBA World Championships and the Beijing Olympics, hit a perfect 5/5 three pointers in the final quarter to send the packed Auckland crowd into raptures. Bruton finished with 26 points on 9/12 shooting, along with 5 assists and 2 steals. New Zealand international Kirk Penney scored 31 points on 8/14 shooting, while former Krka Novo Mesto import Rick Rickert tallied 14 points and 14 rebounds.

In the other Elimination Final, 2004 Olympian John Rillie set an NBL playoff record with 10 three pointers on the way to 34 points, as his Townsville Crocodiles shocked the Perth Wildcats, 103-96, before a sellout crowd in Perth. Written off before the season started, the Crocs, who feature just two players over 200cm, have shot their way to a most unliekly semi final appearance. In this game they hit 15/34 three pointers.

Once Rillie had set his record, import Corey Williams (28 points, 8 rebounds, 7 turnovers) silenced the home fans by scoring 10 last quarter points to seal the contest. For Perth, Beijing Olympian Shawn Redhage was best with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, while former Old Dominion University forward Alex Loughton was also excellent with 19 points and 5 assists.

Paul Kennedy
FIBA Correspondent in Australia