JETS vs SHARKS - SUNDAY MAY 5 @ 3pm
Broadcast: Live from 2:48pm on SKY pop-up 5, stuff.co.nz, TribeSports App, www.pickandroll.com.au (Australia only)
Game Preview The Jets are still searching for their first win and they will be hoping, similar to last season, they can spring a major upset and toast victory over the Sharks.
For the visitors this is game two of a road trip that should yield two wins, but as we have already seen this season nothing comes easy in the Sal’s NBL.
The home team were strengthened with the arrival of prolific scorer Daishon Knight last week and though the talented court leader couldn't land a blow in a loss to the Giants, everyone knows he will be better for the run and will come out firing now that he has spent some time with his team.
It’s been well documented that the Sharks received a wake-up call last week against the Saints, so they won’t be taking things lightly here. Jarrad Weeks will get the job on Knight in a quality battle, Taane Samuel will have his hands full with Southland’s tall timber, while Kuren Iverson will need to deliver defensively on Todd Blanchfield.
JETS - Starting 5 10. Jackson Stubbins (guard) 40. Daishon Knight (guard) 3. Wally Ellenson (guard/forward) 31. Kuran Iverson (forward) 50. Shane Temara (forward/centre)
Bench 5. Taane Samuel (forward) 15. Troy Temara (forward/centre) 8. Phil Borota (guard) 7. Tia Temata-Frost (forward) 4. Haize Walker (guard) 12. Rangimarie Mita (guard) 11. Jake McKinlay (guard/forward)
Coach: Tim McTamney Assistant: Terry Tanoa Assistant: Josh Reeves Manager: Jason Pearn
From The Coach – Tim McTamney Coming off a promising yet disappointing result against the Nelson Giants, our group of young men have taken time to assess areas that they can make the most improvement, both as individuals and as a group. We understand our potential but also know that our potential has yet to be realised...what better way to test our progress than against the defending NBL Champions. I am sure that the memory of last year’s loss to us will still be floating around in their heads, I don't anticipate they will be taking any chances nor taking us lightly. We want to see the Sharks at their best in order to measure just how far we have come in the last week. A full week of practice with Daishon in the mix should make us a more cohesive group on Sunday.
SHARKS - Starting 5 35. Alex Pledger (centre) 97. Jarrad Weeks (guard) 24 . Todd Blanchfield (guard) 22. Hyrum Harris (guard/forward) 15. Tom Vodanovich (forward)
Bench 11. Dom Kelman-Poto (forward) 14. Tai Wynyard (centre)
23. Jeremy Kendle (guard)
25. Andrew Wheeler (guard) 45. Tinashe Matambanadzo (guard)
Coach: Judd Flavell Assistant: Tyson Huia Manager: Troy Paulin
From The Coach – Judd Flavell It’s a tough road weekend and it’s always good to spend time together as a team but we have two really tough challenges in front of us. Manawatu has shown that they are growing as a unit on the floor and with Daishon Knight back with a game under his belt they certainly provide some challenges for us defensively. It's still early days but we are coming together and I’m really liking what I’m seeing this week. Obviously losing Mitch (McCarron) is disappointing, but we have seen what Hyrum (Harris) and Dom (Kelman-Poto) bring so we’ve got some good depth and we’ll need every bit of it this week.