Game of Suns' year

LJ Hetaraka-Sadler, Tevin Wihongi-Henare and Manasseh Hetaraka-Sadler getting in a session of training ahead of their Northland Suns match against the Breakers development team tomorrow.

Basketball fans are set for a treat tomorrow as the New Zealand Breakers development team hit the courts at ASB Stadium.

The Breakers will be taking on the Jennian Homes Northland Suns at 4pm in what has turned into a regular fixture for the Northland representative side.

"We have a yearly game against them, which is as good of a game as we can get," Northland Suns basketball development officer Aaron Sadler said.

"This is game of the year for us, it's against the leading franchise in the country, so to speak, who are coming up with a 10-man squad and being coached by Judd Flavell, who is a Hikurangi boy.

"We usually match up to them well with our men's squad. It's something we hope to continue and with Judd being a Hikurangi boy it opens up pathways for our younger players."

Sadler said three of their best secondary school basketballers - L J Hetaraka, Nassah Hetaraka and Tevin Wihongi-Henare, all of whom were up for awards at the ASB Northland Secondary School Sports Awards - were likely to be included in the team, which was named inhouse last night.

"Our three nominated for secondary school sport awards are [likely] to be given a chance to catch Judd's eye.

"[The trio provide us with a chance to showcase] what talent we've got up here at a secondary school level and hopefully they get invited to the New Zealand camps and continue their development."

Player development seems to be a theme of the match, with the Suns side mostly being under 25 and having a lot to play for.

Sadler added that some players within Northland's ranks had actually trialled for the Breakers development side earlier this year, so the occasion proved a chance for them to push their case once again.

"There are a couple of boys around the edges and it gives them an opportunity to show the Breakers staff where they're at."

Sadly for the Suns, this match is the first home game of the year due to opposition teams being unwilling to travel north.

Sadler said this season was pretty much stalled due to restricting within New Zealand basketball as new competitions look to be set up to cater for the differing levels throughout the country.

Whangarei Boys' High and Huanui College play the curtain raiser for tomorrow's match, which is a gold coin entry.