Basketball: Breakers plan to snuff out South Dragons

Australian signing Tim Behrendorff's Achilles problem has settled down. Picture / Dean Purcell

Breakers boss Andrej Leamis will come face to face with the one that got away tonight when his side begin their Aussie NBL campaign against Melbourne expansion team, the South Dragons.

Included in the Dragons' line-up for the showdown at the North Shore Events Centre is 18-year-old rising star Joe Ingles, a swingman of such potential that the Breakers tried hard to sign him during the off-season.

Already touted for possible Rookie of the Year honours, the Australian Institute of Sport product represented South Australia in the Junior National Championships for five years, won a gold medal at the Youth Olympics and was the first player to be signed by the Dragons.

Lemanis said he would have grabbed Ingles if he could.

"We tried to sign him but missed out," he said. "Joe's a great talent and we expect him to make the step up to NBL level quite easily, particularly after he played so well in the pre-season."

The Dragons have won general praise for their recruiting efforts from most league commentators and, in a poll conducted among the 12 head coaches, were picked to qualify for the play-offs.

Among their biggest coups were the signing of Australian guard Shane Heal, and former NBA centre Todd Fuller, as well as a string of respected NBL players such as Kavossy Franklin, Frank Drmic, Matthew Shanahan and Jacob Holmes.

Lemanis said the beauty of the Dragons' new roster was the mix of experience and youth; a combination that would help to minimise the usual teething problems in a debut season.

"For a first-year team, they've done well to recruit some immediate experience and that'll go a long way towards making their season a good one," he said. "They've been able to put together a good team. They can put points on the board and they're definitely going to be a challenge for our defence."

For all that, Lemanis said his players had completed their preparations in good shape physically and mentally, and were as ready as they would ever be for the opening tip-off tonight.

Tim Behrendorff's Achilles problem had settled, the mystery virus that struck Brian Wethers was now looking for a fresh victim and Ben Pepper had fully recovered from a finger injury.

"Not only are they fit and strong, they're really looking forward to their first outing and can't wait to get under way," Lemanis said.

"The offence is getting better by the day as the guys become more familiar with each other and we've worked hard at the intensity of our defence - having learnt a few hard lessons at the Blitz."

He described last week's first round of the league as predictably fickle and a further demonstration that the 2006-07 competition was likely to be one of the most keenly contested for some time.

"I think it was just confirmation that the league is going to be extremely even and that anyone can beat anyone on the night," Lemanis said.

"If you want to win this season you're going to have to bring your best game to town. It's going to be close and those who can produce consistency will be the ones that make it to the play-offs. I think we're in for a helluva year."

Meanwhile, the North Harbour rugby team will be on hand to celebrate the Breakers' return to the North Shore and will bring the Ranfurly Shield along for good measure.

Lemanis, an Australian, conceded he didn't know much about the Log of Wood and its history but hoped it would be a good omen for the opening night. "If it gets the spectators buzzing and they transfer that energy into our players I'll be keen to have it courtside all season."


NZ BREAKERS V SOUTH DRAGONS

North Shore Events Centre, 7.10 tonight

* Breakers: Paul Henare, Aaron Olson, Brian Wethers, Ricardo Powell, Ben Pepper; Oscar Forman, Mika Vukona, Tim Behrendorff, Adam Darragh, Brent Charleton.

* South Dragons: Shane Heal, Kavossy Franklin, Jacob Holmes, Frank Drmic, Todd Fuller; Matthew Burston, Joe Ingles, Brett Hobba, Matt Shanahan, Adam Quick.