Basketball: Walking that talk after bench time

Bench boys who don't get game time during the NBL season with the Hawks can now burn energy in the CBL competition with coach Theo Tait, left. Photo / File

Standing around all season with ones arms folded or hands deep in the pockets listening to words of wisdom is great but there comes a time when everything absorbed needs to be put into practice on the basketball court.

Consequently Basketball Hawkes Bay is entering a second division team into the Central North Island SAS Sport-sponsored CBL competition this year to ensure IMS Payroll bench boys with limited time and other budding talent in Hawke's Bay will accrue much-needed minutes on the varnished floors.

The CBL also accommodates teams from Tauranga, Gisborne and Hamilton.

The Theo Tait-coached Bay side's first game tips off at 4pm tomorrow against the Waikato Pistons at the Hastings Sports Stadium.

Fans will be charged a gold-coin entry fee.

CBL is designed to give provide a top level competition for regions that do not have an NBL team and to give young players in NBL teams who have played limited minutes an opportunity to play.

"This competition is seen as an essential part of the player development pathway to help bridge the gap between school and NBL in the region," says Basketball HB general manager Paul Trass.

Trass said in the past some top players such as Rangi Kennedy and Czebalos Smiler had left the code while serving as apprentices, frustrated with playing few minutes while on the Hawks' bench.

"The CBL league will give these players the opportunity to get good game time against other players striving to break into NBL teams."

Hawks assistant coach Tait will have the support of 2013 Hawks assistant coach Jackson Macfarlane. Former Hawks point guard Aidan Daly, who was part of the 2006 NBL title-winning team, will be an on-court coach.

The Hawks are the 2014 NBL minor premiership champions but lost in the grand final.