Raiders, City Lights set the tempo

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

If Gisborne Boys' High School versus Green Up was the main event in men's club basketball this week, the Raiders-City Lights clash in Game 1 got the juices flowing.

Lights skipper Scott Muncaster (13 points), so often the point of the sword for his team, this week facilitated for power-forward Rongomai Smith, Paora Dewes (16pts) and Zade Donner (11pts) superbly.

Smith's 17 points featured fearsome power-moves but it was the Raiders' towering Cody Tarei who drew first blood with a three-pointer from the right wing.

City Lights centre Ryan Walters provided a classic snapshot of low-post defence early in the game, forcing veteran spring-heels Jason Tuapawa away from the hoop, right side, at 5-2 and Raiders captain Willie Brown made the first three-point play of the night for 10-7.

Four minutes into the second quarter, trail official Cliff Blumfield called the Raiders' Luka Russell for carrying the ball. To be picked up for carrying the ball is an uncommon infraction. Players are called for progress or “travelling” far more often.

Seth Miller as trail, nabbed Smith for a double-dribble 37.3 seconds before half-time — another relatively unusual call, but further proof that Gisborne Basketball Association referees work well as the “third team” at both ends.

In a quirky twist, Raiders' Jimmy Wilson conceded two free-throws, bumping into City Lights' Paora Dewes before the break but in the third period hoodwinked the officials on a similar play, belly-butting Smith out of court when Lights were 49-31 up.

It was a feisty game with some class thrown in, such as Reg Namana's three-point play against Jason Tuapawa and Dewes's three-point play against Tarei.

Game 2 belonged to the Massive Marauders' Adam Harford.

The powerful forward put up 20 points, although SE Systems prevailed 62-48, and in the absence of Stefan Pishief, he was a revelation around the hoop for his touch and poise.

Keenan Ruru-Poharama, the GBHS coach, rolled back the years with a shotgun lay-up left of the hoop early in the game. It was the equal of any field goal made by the participants, in terms of a skilful finish.