The year 13 pupil lent credence to that theory, making a fearless debut with a 4:11 three-point stint in the first quarter before adding two more minutes towards the dying stage of the final quarter.
Braimoh, who scored a double-double 22 points and 11 rebounds in 29:42, said Marsh's cameo was a testament to what he had patiently invested during the scrimmages, despite not getting on the court until Saturday night.
"He works hard all the time so today when he got on the court he took advantage of it."
It was certainly a rejuvenated Hawks outfit against the last-placed, winless visitors who had arrived on a seven-and-oh record but the hosts, it seemed, accorded them the respect of a table-topping side.
At times the game resembled a scrimmage but it doesn't detract from the fact such games are ideal for building confidence.
The Liam Flynn-coached Hawks were vociferous, had a spring in their step and started with an urgency and intent lacking in their previous-round 101-90 loss to the Manawatu Jets.
US import Zack Atkinson joined Braimoh in dropping a couple of dunks in the first half but it was a three-point, double-double party at the final buzzer.
"Honestly, I think we came out with a lot of energy and we played together, trusted each and got the job done," Braimoh said.
"The more time we spend together, the better time we'll have on the court, so need to build that chemistry if we want to keep getting better."
It was imperative the Hawks showed all opponents the same respect and not come out flat against one and not the other.
Atkinson claimed his fourth double-double, adding 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Braimoh saluted Kenny's double-double of 11 points and 13 assists.
"It's huge. JK is a leader of this team so if he goes we go ... and that showed on the court today."
The Hawks would take any victory and each week would incrementally build on it to secure a playoff berth on the weekend of July 4-5 in Wellington.
He thanked the PG Arena faithful and hoped they would be behind them to the end.
It was a night when Alonzo Burton, battle scars evident in fingers taped, nailed three from downtown in his 17-point haul.
Shooting guard Luke Aston, who put his body on the line after an unforced lolly scramble to save blushes and force a jump shot, sank four from outside the arc in his 16-point offering.
Naki skipper Aaron Bailey-Nowell scored a double-double 19 points and 10 rebounds but Aaron Fuller claimed a game-high 23 and point guard Chris Hagan added 20.
"There's a lot of things going on in our team right now.
"We're trying to battle through injuries, myself included," Hagan said. "I'm really proud of our team coming out there and battling."
A back-to-back stint on the road with nagging injuries had tested their mettle before the Manawatu Jets defeat.
Hagan said it was no secret they had a leaky defence that desperately needed a plug but the Hawks thoroughly deserved their victory. Co-captain Paora Winitana didn't play because of a calf strain and Marco Alexander was missing, too.
The Hawks hit the road next, playing Canterbury Rams on Friday and Southland Sharks on Sunday.
Match stats Hawks figures first:
* Field goals: 37/65 (57%); 29/69 (42%).
* 3 pointers: 12/21 (57%); 7/20 (35%).
* Free throws: 12/24 (50%); 23/32 (72%).
* Rebounds: 43; 29.
* Assists: 23; 20.
* Steals: 3; 8.
* Blocks: 5; 4.
* Turnovers: 19/7.
* Fouls (fouls on): 27 (18); 19 (26).
* Points in the paint: 40; 34.
* 2nd chance pts: 27; 17.
* Pts off turnovers: 6; 17.
* Pts off bench: 25; 19.
Result: IMS Payroll Bank Hawks 99 (Suleiman Braimoh 22pts, 11 reb, 4 blocks; Alonzo Burton 17pts, 5 reb; Zack Atkinson 16pts, 10 reb; Aston Luke 16pts, 7 reb; Jarrod Kenny 11pts, 13 assists) Augusta Mountainairs 88 (Aaron Fuller 23pts, 8 reb; Chris Hagan 20pts; Aaron Bailey-Nowell 19pts, 10 reb; Brad Anderson 19pts).
Quarters (Hawks first), 1st: 21-16. 2nd: 48-38 (27-22). 3rd: 69-55 (21-17). Final: 99-88 (29-33).
-Fiba live scoring
