Basketball: Canterbury eclipse titleholders

Some imports struggled with refereeing decisions and fouled out, others top-scored, rust and lack of combination affected the shooting percentages and the most-fancied team was overturned.

In other words, the usual start to the National Basketball League.

The Otago Nuggets were expected to struggle and did so, with consecutive losses to Hawkes Bay's Hawks 81-67 and the Manawatu Jets 84-68, but they were not the easy-beats suggested.

The Canterbury Rams also started with two away games and would be delighted to have beaten defending champions Auckland 79-75 on Friday, despite the fact that the mental and physical effort required saw them slump next night to a 75-54 loss to North Harbour Heat.

For the Heat, victory marked a new energy.

They enjoyed an all-round contribution - from their imports, Canadian Mike King (13 points) and American Kevin Ross (who had trained with the squad only twice); from Breakers development player Hayden Allen (with a top-score of 26 that included some crucial shots); to the livewire Prem Krishna (12 points) and fringe Tall Black Daryl Cartwright (11).

Coach Steve Done was happy with the unselfish play and the defence but admitted that the Rams had clearly faded as a result of their effort against the Stars. And forward Ryan Prillman fouled out, for the second night in a row.

Friday night was Auckland's first game at the Breakers' home at Trusts Stadium and they seemed to catch Breaker disease, fading badly in the third quarter to let slip a 51-43 lead at the break.

The Rams went on a 19-4 run in the third period, again led by their imports Mike Gardener at point guard and Prillman, who both scored 16. The Stars' point guard, Lindsay Tait, had 20 by the break but could muster only three more.

Prillman fouled out with three minutes to go and momentum appeared to be turning the Stars' way. But at 74-all with two minutes to go, it was Gardener who made the big three-play. The Rams former captain, David Langrell, returned 11, Nat Connell 10.

Auckland require more concentration if they are to realise their potential. They should improve as centre Kareem Johnson works his way in.

He scored seven and took nine rebounds - they'll be hoping for more.

The Hawks' Australian imports - Dusty Rychart (19 points) and Derek Moore (16), had good support from Paora Winitana (15) and Aidan Daly as they dumped Otago 81-67 in Taradale. Kiwi-born Australian Adrian Majstrovich scored 15 and took eight rebounds to underline their force in the league.

Otago copped a second caning in Palmerston North on Saturday. Australians Russell Hinder with 20 and Scott McGregor, 16, led the way but the young locals were unable to contribute sufficiently to get close to the Jets, who won 84-68 on big contributions from American Mike Coleman (20), Tall Black Miles Pearce (14) and Adelaide 36ers player David Cooper (13 and 12 rebounds).

The Waikato Titans also started with a road double, a depleted side losing to the Nelson Giants 86-79 then losing 75-89 to the Saints in Wellington yesterday. Titans import Greg Lewis, a late signing, top-scored with 24.

In Nelson, Australian Jacob Holmes scored 22 and took 11 boards and American Adam Spanich made 20 including four of five three-shots.

Crucial input came from Breaker Mika Vukona who worked hard on defence, scored 12 and took 11 boards, and big Jeremiah Trueman, aged 18, who played 15 minutes for seven points, four rebounds and two steals.

Lewis collected four fouls just after the main break, spent much of the third quarter sitting down and fouled out with seven minutes to go in the last. Pero Cameron did not play.