NO DISRESPECT to North Harbour but it looked as if the hosts were enjoying their scrimmage last night.
The visitors were out of their league as the HBS Bank Hawks thumped them 102-83 in Napier in round eight of the Bartercard National Basketball League match.
In fairness to Harbour, they have to rebuild, but bringing boys to do a man's job can prove to be difficult, especially if there aren't enough broad shoulders on the court to absorb the heat.
Heat coach Alex Stojkovic had no arguments with that.
"That's it. Our effort was good but we just didn't have possession," Stojkovic lamented.
"Their experience, size and shooting ability just hurt us."
The coach lauded the Hawks, labelling them a great outfit who had talent and a gritty resolve.
"We tried to shut one guy down but they had two or three guys coming at us at the same time and that can hurt you," he said.
All said and done, it was hardly the litmus test for the Paul Henare-coached table toppers who succumbed to the Southland Sharks on the road last weekend on a double header in the Deep South.
That challenge will come on Anzac Day, Wednesday, when the Hawks welcome defending champions Wellington Saints at the Pettigrew-Green Arena.
Skipper Paora Winitana agreed although he hailed Stojkovic for exposing his young charges to tough NBL opposition and he said they played with pride.
"They are playing against the best in the New Zealand league," Winitana said.
While disappointed at how the Hawks finished off (26-25 in the last quarter), the former Tall Black said their defence was better than their patchy performance against the Sharks.
Winitana, who top-scored for the Hawks with 19 points and six rebounds, didn't expect to play 20.52 minutes as he had been suffering with an upset stomach.
"I was throwing up before the game."
On the court last night, there were sickening thuds, steals and baskets from deep outside the arc as the Hawks claimed the first quarter 27-17.
The Heat bench were on their feet in the early minutes as they kept up with the pace.
However, they were also caught on the wrong side of the shot clock as arms in the air made it difficult for them to find their way through busy traffic in the lane.
Naturalised New Zealander Kevin Smith came down to earth with a thud just minutes into the game as Hawks power forward Galen Young made his intentions clear when he rose to collect from the glass.
While it was an error-ridden affair from the Hawks, it was perhaps the best opportunity for the players to free their minds.
In the second quarter, Harbour US-import centre Zack Atkinson's dunk had his bench up in rousing approval.
But the Heat could only turn it on infrequently, albeit entertaining when they did.
Veteran forward Benny Hill exchanged sweet somethings with Atkinson, asking after his health amid smiles.
Nevertheless, the Hawks had their own bag of tricks as Winitana, Everard Bartlett, Jarrod Kenny and Kareem Johnson mesmerised the Heat with their fast breaks and high-octane scoring to streak to a 48-36 halftime lead.
In the sheds, Winitana impressed on his troops the significance to keep their foot on the throat despite a their lead.
"Hey guys, especially against a young team who will keep coming back against us," he said.
Henare pointed out Atkinson (scoring 13 points at that stage) was uncontested mid-range.
"Was the guy passing the ball to anyone?
"I don't think so. Out of flair we're getting burned," he said, urging his troops to "lock in".
He asked his men to avoid committing silly fouls and to stick to their philosophy of adopting tight defensive systems.
The third quarter was no better as the Hawks powered to a 28-22 period win as the Heat relied on Atkinson, point guard Justin Bailey and Smith to do most of the work.
Bailey had a game-high 23 points, with Atkinson adding 19, bench player and Junior Tall Black Reuben Te Rangi emulating the import and captain Smith adding 14.
For the Hawks, Bartlett backed his captain with 16 points, Johnson 14 and Young 13.
Young was again outstanding off the glass and also with ball in hand with six rebounds and six assists.
Wednesday, of course, will bring a different challenge.
MATCH STATS
Hawks figures first:
Field goals: 40/75 (53%); 30/58 (52%).
3 pointers: 14/33 (42%); 4/15 (27%).
Free throws: 8/19 (42%); 19/30 (63%).
Rebounds: 36; 27.
Assists: 25; 9.
Steals: 3; 5.
Blocks: 1; 1.
Turnovers: 10/9.
Fouls (fouls on): 20 (14); 17 (16).
Points in the paint: 38; 32.
2nd chance pts: 13; 4.
Pts off turnovers: 0; 4.
Result: HBS Bank Hawks 102 (Paora Winitana 19pts, 6 reb; Everard Bartlett 16pts; Kareem Johnson 14pts, 8 reb; Galen Young 13pts, 6 reb; 6 assists; Ben Hill 12pts; Jarrod Kenny 10pts, 5 reb; Alonzo Burton 8pts)
Harbour Heat 83 (Justin bailey 23pts; Zack Atkinson 19pts, 6 reb; Kevin Smith 14 pts, 4 reb).
Quarters (Hawks first), 1st: 27-17. 2nd: 48-36 (21-19). 3rd: 76-58 (28-22). Final: 102-83 (26-25).