Weekly Wrap - New Year edition.
Our New Year celebratory wrap begins by acknowledging a fantastic performance by Sam Mennenga.
Cairns Taipans weren’t fancied by many to topple Australian NBL league leaders Melbourne United on New Year’s Eve. However, on the back of 22 points from Sam, and in front of a raucous home crowd in Northern Queensland the Taipans overpowered Melbourne 95-78 with the former Harbour standout making 6 from 11 three-pointers in the process.
In the same game Sam Waardenburg played his 50th game for Cairns.
Other Professional Players
On 10 from 13 shooting Isaac Fotu scored a season high 21 points to lead Tochigi Brex (20-6) to an easy 77-55 victory against lowly Shinshu Brave Warriors in the Japanese League. Isaac also added 10 rebounds for good measure.
Also with a season best was Yanni Wetzell as ALBA Berlin got the better of Chemnitz 101-90 in the German League. Yanni scored 15 points making 6 from 7 from the field and 3 from 4 from the charity stripe. ALBA are now 8-3 this season just one win out of the top four but with games in hand.
College Players
In NCAA Division I play Zach Riley scored a season high 10 points (3/5FG) as Fordham University, ahead of Atlantic Coast Conference play, defeated Columbia 87-78.
Tom Beattie (7 points) came up with a steal and beak-away slam to finish the first half action but Hawaii were eventually downed 63-61 by Cal State Fullerton in overtime in their first Big West Conference fixture of the season.
Not too many collegiate players have the pleasure (or the misfortune if it was a late night ahead of game day) of gracing the court on New Year’s Day but Parahuia Delamere did just that for Young Harris College in their 67-46 demolition of Fort Valley State. The former Harbour guard made the most of the opportunity as she tabbed season bests in points (12) and steals (4).
In more NCAA Division II action Hannah Wentworth scored a season high 22 points, making 5 from 10 threes, to lead Eckerd College to an 89-60 win against Barry University in the Sunshine State Conference.
In another Sunshine State Conference encounter Jess Moors made a couple of three-pointers on her way to a season best 16 points as Nova Southeastern beat Embry-Riddle 80-71.
In Men’s Division II play Charlie Dalton made his third double figure score of the season as Concordia Irvine came up just short against Hawaii at Hilo losing 53-51. Charlie scored 11 points, with Concordia now 4-2 in the PacWest Conference.
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