David Leggat: Time to savour the moment

The Breakers celebrate after winning the grand final at the North Shore Events Centre. Photo / Getty Images

Celebrate good times, come on!" the popular hit song reverberated around the North Shore Events Centre, and still five and a half minutes were left in the ANBL season.

But the faithful knew; by then the Breakers had eased out 20 points and for all the Cairns Taipans' resolve last night to cling on, there was no coming back.

A first win for a New Zealand franchise in an Australian competition - what's not to celebrate? The Breakers are known as heavy points scorers. Not so last night, but no one was complaining. Take the win and rejoice.

That loud buzz outside the arena an hour before tipoff was all anticipation at seeing something for the first time.

The hot dog queue snaked this way and that out as far as the main entrance; kids wearing their Breakers' replicas found some space and played at being Bruton, Penney or Henare; the blue thundersticks couldn't be handed out quickly enough.

The Cairns Taipans' small orange travelling army were deposited away in a corner of the arena behind the baseline. For them, it was tough viewing.

Too often, they paid the price for being too fancy. They were second best most of the night.

The Breakers had their noses in front at quarter, half and three-quarter time, but this was no done deal, until the fourth quarter began.

With every surge by the Breakers, every free throw, the belief from the locals grew to hallelujah revival proportions.

The Breakers had one hand on the trophy and it tightened as the clock ticked over.

Spare a thought for two Breakers' men.

It was the perfect farewell for Paul Henare, in his 250th and final game, the only remaining foundation member of the Breakers since 2003. He could not have scripted a better departure.

And coach Andre Lemanis. He will have felt entitled to offer a "ya boo sucks" to his critics and in time-honoured fashion simply point to the scoreboard.

You wonder at the agonies coaches go through in high-pressure situations. Watching Lemanis last night spoke volumes. Take a seat, coach? You gotta be joking.

The players clasped each other in delight with over a minute left. They had been the best in this show through the regular season and their moment had come.