Slam dunk: Henare too valuable an act to lose

By PETER JESSUP

Paul Henare's availability for the Hawks when they host the first of the NBL semifinals on Saturday hangs in the balance.

Nelson coach Nenad Vucinic is preparing his side expecting Henare will play.

But if the Tall Black point guard is out the Giants will undoubtedly press that advantage. It's what Otago did last weekend, as Henare sat on the sideline with a medial ligament tear, to go within one point of victory.

Gary Boodnikoff will fill in if required, as he has at training.

Even Hawks coach Shawn Dennis freely admits what Henare means to the team. "We looked totally dysfunctional on the floor [against Otago]. He brings all the organisation."

Henare is the only player in doubt for this weekend's semifinals - the Hawks-Giants clash at the Pettigrew Arena in Taradale at 3pm on Saturday and the Auckland Stars-Saints game at the Wellington Events centre at 3pm on Sunday. There will be coverage both days on TV2.

The venue for the final remains in doubt. Wellington, who appear most likely to finish on top, cannot get the Events Centre for the June 27 final, and the alternatives - Walter Nash Stadium in Porirua and the Manawatu Arena in Palmerston North - are not suitable.

Hawkes Bay and Nelson do have their stadiums available on June 27 and it now appears that one of those teams will host the final.

* * *

The 26-man squad at the national team training camp in Whangarei next week will be trimmed to 15 for the three-test home series against Australia starting on July 9.

Several of the cuts are easy to pick - the younger players like brothers Ben and Ollie Hill, Lance Baker, Mika Vukona and Daniel Barritt are included clearly for the experience and as hopes for the future, as are the US college players.

Three naturalised New Zealanders are included in the 25, Link Abrams and Willie Banks from Taranaki and Nelson captain Ed Book, but only one can go to Athens. Book might shade the others because the Tall Blacks don't have too many tall guys.

Book and captain Pero Cameron still have suspect calf muscles. Tony Rampton has just had repeat ankle surgery so there is still concern over the "bigs".

Nat Connell, Troy McLean and Paora Winitana have all had good NBL seasons but look like being just shaded by others in their position.

Still, the selection shows there is depth developing in some positions and gives plenty of hope for the up-and-comers given the numbers playing overseas.

Sean Marks is staying in the United States to again trial and train with San Antonio and Kirk Penney has summer camp deals with Minnesota and Chicago. Both will miss the Aussie series but will join the team soon after it.

Tall Blacks

Guards: Lance Baker (Nelson Giants), Willie Banks (Taranaki Mountain Airs), Dan Barritt (Auckland Stars), Nat Connell (Canterbury Rams), Mark Dickel (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Paul Henare (Hawks), Phill Jones (Nelson Giants), Troy McLean (Saints), Aaron Olson (Auckland Stars), Lindsay Tait (Auckland Stars), Paora Winitana (Hawks).

Forwards: Link Abrams (Taranaki Mountain Airs), Ed Book (Nelson Giants), Craig Bradshaw (Winthrop University, USA), Dillon Boucher (Auckland Stars), Pero Cameron (Waikato Titans), Ben Hill (Waikato Titans), Ollie Hill (Nelson Giants), Mike Homik (Auckland Stars), Callum McLeod (Gonzaga University USA), Miles Pearce (Manawatu Jets), Brendon Polyblank (Saints), Tony Rampton (Cairns Taipans, Australia), Chris Reay (Southern Methodist University, USA), Michael Tompson (Taranaki Mountain Airs), Mika Vukona (Nelson Giants).

Not available: Sean Marks (San Antonio Spurs, USA), Kirk Penney (Auna Gran Canaria, Spain), Luke Ruscoe (Brown University, USA).

Sure to make the Australia series: Willie Banks, Mark Dickel, Paul Henare, Phill Jones, Aaron Olson, Lindsay Tait, Ed Book, Dillon Boucher, Pero Cameron (c), Miles Pearce, Brendon Polyblank, Tony Rampton, Mike Tompson.

* * *

WNBL playoffs will feature Waikato, North Harbour, Nelson and Canterbury in two semifinals on Friday, June 25 with the final the next day. All games will be played in Christchurch.

But first Harbour and Waikato play in Hamilton on Saturday to determine the round play winner.

Both teams have severely depleted squads. The Lady Titans are without their three Tall Ferns Leanne Walker, Jody Tini and Tania Tupu. The Harbour Breeze have lost coach Mata Cameron as well as second-best scorer Lisa Wallbutton and starting five team-mates Amanda Harris, Aroha Jennings and Pip Charlesworth, who are all at the Oceania Tournament in Coffs Harbour this week and next.

The Titans will get their Ferns back for the finals weekend after the series against Poland and Korea but the Breeze will still be without their coach and players, putting a severe dent in their chances.

The WNBL top-five players so far are Harbour's American Erin Beuscher, Canterbury's American Ailissa Murphy, TF Leanne Walker from the Titans followed by Wallbutton with Otago's Sally Farmer fifth.

* * *

Jets coach Wayne Brown has left the franchise to concentrate on his new job as assistant to Frank Arsego at the Breakers. The Manawatu team have already taken expressions of interest from coaches and are looking at all options before compiling a short list.

* * *

The Australian league fined John Rillie A$1000 for approaching the Townsville Crocodiles while still signed with the West Sydney Razorbacks and before the anti-tampering deadline came off. The Crocs were fined A$7500 for failing to report Rillie's approach. But he's still playing for the Crocs.