SuperCity Basketball Championships - Finals
The Breakers Academy caused a major upset in the first semi final of the Supercity Competition at Atlas Place on Saturday. Breakers defeated the previously unbeaten Harbour Heat Reserves 89-82 and now meet Waitakere in the final.
The Heat Reserves started the game strongly establishing an early advantage with guards Zac Fitzgerald and Hayden Allen scoring freely. The quarter time advantage was 20-17 but by half time the Breakers had turned this around to lead 42-38. Allen led all scorers with 12 points but Josh Bloxham (192-G-90) and Morgan Nathan were impressing for the Breakers.
The spoils were shared 23 apiece in the third quarter, Heat captain Dan Ryan dominating the period with 17 points including a giant three to beat the buzzer at the conclusion of the period but Bloxham was not far behind with 13 points of his own.
The final quarter was intense as both teams turned up the defensive intensity and initially it was the Breakers who coped better with the pressure extending their 4 point three quarter advantage into the largest lead of the game, 77-67 with five minutes remaining. The lead was still double digits with 6:54 remaining but baskets from Ryan and Allen reduced the lead to 6 points entering the final four minutes. Nathan steadied the ship for the Breakers with a strong move but missed the opportunity to add the free throw by committing a foul line violation. The Heat then went on a 6-0 run and with 1:13 remaining the Breakers lead was down to one, 83-82. However man of the match Josh Bloxham (192-G-90) took control of proceedings, absorbing the Heat pressure and icing the game with free throws either side of a Rueban TeRangi basket.
Ryan 34 points and Allen 26 points led all scoring but ultimately the Breakers with five players in double figures had the better balanced attack and nailed the win.
Breakers Academy 89 (Josh Bloxham (192-G-90) 30, Sam King 15, Brad Anderson 14, Morgan Nathan 13, Rueban TeRangi 13) Heat Reserves 82 (Dan Ryan 34, Hayden Allen 26)
Waitakere beat Northside 79-74 in the other semi final with Matt Armid top scoring with 30 points please see results below!
Waitakere 79 (Matt Armid 30, Houston O’Riley 22) Northside 74 (Cam Stuart 16, Marco Alexander 14)
The playoff for 5th and 6th was won by the Auckland Rivets who beat West Auckland 78-68
Auckland Rivets 78 (Chris Etienne 20, Willy McVitty 15) West Auckland 68 (Sifa Putani 23, Chris Fahrenson 19)
Auckland Basketball 7th
Ngatiwai soldiers 8th
Northland Suns 9th
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