Boucher Steps Up
Tagged in: Kiwis Abroad, Tall Blacks
Warning: file_exists() [function.file-exists]: open_basedir restriction in effect. File(/var/www/vhosts/basketball.org.nz/httpdocs/resources/uploads/2007/11/198133-edit.thumbnail.jpg) is not within the allowed path(s): (/home/bbnz/:/tmp:/usr/local/lib/php/) in /home/bbnz/domains/tallblacks.org.nz/public_html/wp-includes/post.php on line 3943
Tall Black Dillon Boucher came to the aid of the depleted Brisbane Bullets, helping them to a 121-93 home win over Gold Coast Blaze in the Australian Hummer NBL Championship.
With forwards Sam Mackinnon, Justin Brown and Kiwi Craig Bradshaw sidelined through injury, leading playmaker CJ Bruton struck early foul trouble and logged just 21 minutes.
Boucher was promoted to the starting five, contributing 27 scoreless minutes, but adding six rebounds, three assists and two steals as the defending champions improved to 9-4 for the season.
For the Blaze, Tall Black captain Pero Cameron had two points (1/1 FG), a rebound and an assist in just 12 minutes, while team-mate Casey Frank pitched in with nine points (4/4 FG, 1/2 FT), seven rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes off the bench.
Waikato Pistons import Jason Crowe had 12 points (5/16 FG, 2/7 3pt), three assists and three rebounds for Gold Coast, who fell to 7-7.
Meanwhile, Harbour guard Hayden Allen had five pints (2/5 FG, 1/2 3pt), five rebounds, an assist and a steal in 13 minutes as Singapore Slingers lost 99-109 to South Dragons on the road.
In US college play, Emerging Tall Black forward Christopher Reay had eight points (1/2 FG, 6/6 FT), nine rebounds and a steal as Midwestern State University fell 83-85 to Emporia State and 1-2 for the season.
The fortunes of former Tall Black coach Tab Baldwin hung precariously after his PAOK team lost 71-72 to Egaleo at home on a buzzer beater in the Greek HEBA Championship. Baldwin’s outfit is now 1-5 to start the season and while his sacking was reported prematurely last week, he expects the axe to fall soon.
In Iceland, coach Jeff Green’s Hottur team were pounded 105-73 by Por Porl in the D1 second division competition, falling to 3-3 for the season.
Kiwi forward Ben Hill had 19 points (7/13 FG, 2/5 3pt, 3/5 FT) and six rebounds, while guard Everard Bartlett contributed 14 points (6/17 FG, 2/7 3pt) and four rebounds.
