Suns look brighter despite loss

The chemistry and potential is there and it is only a matter of time before the Northland Suns find their feet, says their new coach, Mata Cameron.
After being somewhat shell-shocked last week during round one of the Super City Basketball Competition against the Auckland Rivets, the Suns faced another heavyweight on Saturday, the North Harbour  Reserves, only to go down, 79-51.
The Suns were leading 21-20 at half-time, and played a much-improved game from last week as they settled into the higher level of basketball.
Cameron said she was not too worried about the score but more about what was happening on the court.
"I think it will take at least the first round to find our feet. The team are still getting used to me and my systems, and feeling comfortable with me coaching them. We have a lot of work to do, but they played well," she said.
Players had good chemistry on and off the court, and they had confidence in each other, which made the coach's job a lot easier, Cameron added.
Saturday's game at the Breakers Training Facility was a low-scoring affair, where, despite the loss, the Suns controlled 58 per cent of ball possession throughout the four quarters.
But while they had more possession, and created plenty of scoring opportunities, the Suns struggled to utilise their chances and put more shots up, finishing the game with a low 26 per cent shot rate as opposed to North Harbour's 42 per cent.
Travis McIlroy top-scored with 13 points, Josh Martinac got a double double (10 points, 14 rebounds), while forward Corey Poa, who is thriving in his new role as skipper, scored eight points. Point guard Atama O'Donnell and forward Justin Friedrich  impressed on court.
For three quarters, it was anyone's game - there were nine lead changes - but North Harbour charged out to a commanding  10-point lead in the final quarter, and slowed the game  down, affecting the Suns, whose biggest asset is their pace and hustle.
The Suns were unable to adjust  to the change of pace and went down to one of the top teams of the competition.
"The team are getting used to me, and I am getting used to  them, having only come on board. The team had been training for three months beforehand," Cameron said. "There are a couple of experienced players in the mix and a lot of young ones, so everyone is learning ... but once we get cracking, who knows? We can only move upwards."
 The Suns' American import, Kashen Cooke, who was set to play this weekend, has been delayed in the United States, but
will join the team as soon as possible, and will certainly make his impact felt once he is on board, chief executive McIlroy said.
This Saturday, Northland play West Auckland at the Breakers Training Facility at Mairangi Bay, tipping off at 3pm.