Sparks, a Rising Sun in 1998, is a 35-year veteran from the days of the X-men, Celtics, and Demolition; his teammate, SES titan Reg Namana, had hit a shot from 10 feet behind the mid-court line to break the deadlock and beat the half-time buzzer for 28-25, Systems’ first lead of the night.
Green Up captain Tyrese Tuwairua-Brown (21 points) and Kahn Grayson (17) were both in good form but Namana’s 31-point haul was enormous: the biggest all-grades individual tally in Week 4. From Tuwairua-Brown attacking the rim, SES warrior Anton Riri’s turnaround jumper, Sparks’s blind back-to-the-basket shot for 46-42 off a Namana assist and (from three-quartertime) Systems’ nine-point comeback, the game had it all.
Zade Donner has been a good player for some time now.
And he proved that with his 23-point game in the Raiders’ 80-28 win against The Massive Marauders in Game 3. Dale Hailey (14) and Wi Brown (11) were both dynamic in the open court and determined on the Marauders’ backboard. They joined forces with teammate Jason Tuapawa in the battle for rebounds against Stefan Pishief, Adam Harford and company.
Marauders point-guard Luke Bradley (8) led their scorers for the second week in a row, making a shot and drawing a foul for 14-44 and later hitting a long jumpshot for 21-54 as the pace of the game picked up. Comic relief in the fourth period took the form of Paul Graham’s priceless attempt to climb over Raider Levi Tamihana’s back in search of a loose ball low-left on the baseline.
The Raiders led 64-26 at that stage. Their captain, Willie Brown, said: “The boys played well, didn’t hesitate to shoot and made their shots.”
Scott Muncaster kept his word.
The City Lights captain and his men served notice that they would not be overlooked by the rest of the league in a 67-60 win against Gisborne Boys’ High School.
GBHS, under new coach Keenan Ruru-Poharama, knew they were in a battle from the start: at close quarters, Muncaster (24) took the ball straight at Rikki Noble to open the scoring, Athlete Carl Riini (19) made a three-point play and hit two three-pointers while his left-handed CL teammate Paora Dewes (12) finished a number of plays at the rim; Dewes is good to watch.
Sebastian Wilson, Luka Russell and Ngaru Grayson each put up 10 points for GBHS. Two young guards — Seth Miller (7) and Weighn Wilson (6) — played great basketball for Boys’ High. Wilson hit two three-pointers in the first period, Miller fought to stop City Lights strongman Ryan Walters from scoring with a minute, 41 seconds to play in the first quarter. Walters took him to the left on a driving three-point play for CL 14-11, but with 45 seconds left in the period, Miller made a lay-up to give Gisborne Boys’ the lead 15-14.
GBHS captain Daley Riri has used his quickness to great effect in the last month, and on Tuesday emphasised that by taking 11 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds. City Lights began the season with a 65-69 loss to The Raiders and that has stiffened their resolve.
Muncaster said: “It was very far from pretty but we’ll take the win. We turned the ball over a lot in the second half. Up by 15 points, to let that slip to five or so was disappointing. But you have to find ways to win, and we did.”
(Lindsey Pomana 16, Ohomauri Hailey13) (Ngarita Ehau-Taumanu 18, Peyton Riri 16) Ritana Toa Q1 16-12, HT 30-25, Q3 41-34.
(Natasha Potter 10) (Marama Henwood 14) Masters Q1 8-7, HT 20-17, GGHS Q3 27-24.
(Bronya McMenamin 23, Ata Mangu 20, Maia Rickard 10) Ngati Porou Q1 29-2, HT 46-2, Q3 59-2.
(Ariana Kepa 7, Charlene Leach-Waihi 6) (Jamieson Tapsell 13, Melissa Mackey-Huriwai 12, Maiangi Mackey 10) Manu Toa Q1 15-7, HT 28-14, Q3 48-20.
(Jack John Maurirere 12, Dom Wilson 11) C(Te Haeora Kerekere-Puke 23) GBHS Q1 21-7, HT 45-17, Q3 56-28.
(Kiwa Ria 12, Joel Akuhata-Brown 10, Akura Smith 10) (Tiopira Huriwai-Kirk 8) GBHS Senior B Q1 21-2, HT 34-11, Q3 42-15.
Campion Cougars Q1 8-4, HT 14-11, Q3 32-24.
(Sebastian Wilson 10, Luka Russell 10, Ngaru Grayson 10) (Scott Muncaster 24, Carl Riini 19, Paora Dewes 12) Q1 18-18, CL HT 34-26, 52-46.
(Tyrese Tuwairua-Brown 21, Kahn Grayson 17) (Reg Namana 31, Adrian Sparks 6, Harley Phillips 6) SES Q1 17-12, HT 28-25, Green Up Q3 44-35.
(Zade Donner 23, Dale Hailey 14, Wi Brown 11) (Luke Bradley 8, Simon Wilson 6) Raiders Q1 15-8, HT 35-12, Q3 54-21.
(Jayden Brown 9) (Eli Swann 13, Liam Berney 9) Hustlers Q1 13-8, HT 33-12, Q3 45-19.
(Jerome Tamatea 17) (Lu Tofilau 22, Ben Greaves 22, Tamati Horua 11) Bibs Q1 20-5, HT 33-14, Q3 49-30.
(“Mardz” 19) (Manny Boriga 12, Raphael Heria 10) Gizzy Gilas Q1 10-8, HT 31-29, The Shed Q3 43-40.
