Basketball: Harbour's semifinal hopes still alive

By Murray McKinnon

North Harbour kept their National Basketball League semifinal hopes alive by beating Palmerston North 115-88 at the North Shore Events Centre on Saturday.

North Harbour have seven wins, the same as Taranaki, who beat Otago 106-92, with Wellington and Nelson on eight victories and top-of-the-table Auckland on 10.

However, Harbour have a tough end-of-season schedule, facing Taranaki this week, Auckland on August 8 and Wellington on August 14.

They could also be without two of their key players, Kirk Penney and Andrew Parke, who have been advised they cannot play this Saturday before leaving on Sunday with the Tall Blacks for a tournament in Taiwan.

Both Penney and Parke showed how valuable they are to the Harbour make-up on Saturday with outstanding contributions.

Uncharacteristically, Penney went for the inside baskets, scoring only one three-pointer for his game total of 28. Parke, enjoying one of his best games for some time, finished with 13 points and played a key role in the first and final quarters.

Harbour had a jaded Palmerston North team beaten in the first quarter, marching out to a 31-12 lead. Only Ed Book, Jonathon Southee and Jamie Jenkins were able to slot in a basket under the heavy Harbour defence.

A frustrated Jets bench did not help their cause, drawing a technical foul which Penney cleared away with two points from the free-throw line.

Harbour went to the break 30 points ahead, with Chris Ensminger and Jeff Daniels performing well against the rock-solid defence of Book.

Also on show for Harbour was Dave Daniels, their replacement for recently released import Johnny Dadzie.

The Canadian international ran into some foul trouble and a travelling violation, but he showed the leadership needed at point guard. He had a better first half, scoring 10 for the game.

Palmerston North came back in the third quarter, pinning their hopes on the outside with six three-point baskets to bring them within 16 points, but the Harbour defence moved in to shut down prolific scorer Jamie Jenkins, who drew a double technical foul on himself.

Jenkins had the game high of 41 points, Callum Brock was on 15 and Book 12. Ensminger, with 16 in the second half, came away with 25, with Jeff Daniels on 15.

The Waikato Warriors showed their true potential - unfortunately for coach Jeff Green too late in the season - in defeating Canterbury 106-99. Adrian Boyd was outstanding with seven steals, seven rebounds and 18 points.

Wellington secured a confidence-boosting victory over league champions Nelson 85-81 in Wellington.