Cougars On Familiar Ground
Tagged in: NBL
Geoff Longley, The Press
Paora Winitana hopes he won’t get a hostile reception when he and fellow Hawke’s Bay-bred Paul Henare head back to home turf in Christchurch Cougars colours for the NZCT National Basketball League match at Taradale tonight.
The pair are going back to where they began in the game, took the Hawks to three finals from 2005-07 and reached international honours. They departed this year to sign for the new Christchurch franchise.
Winitana said the Bay Hawks were in danger of folding leading into this season, which contributed to him and Henare looking elsewhere.
“When they finally decided they had got enough sponsors to compete I was pretty much committed to the Cougars.”
The game is a comeback match for Winitana, who is returning to the court just four weeks after breaking his wrist in a match against Waikato in Hamilton.
Winitana, 31, came through a couple of scrimmage sessions this week and then received the all-clear to play from his orthopaedic specialist.
“Strength-wise it’s not quite there yet but the specialist was happy with it and gave me a clearance.”
Winitana, a Mormon bishop, believed the power of prayer had also helped speed the healing process.
While expecting some ribbing for his change of team this season Winitana said he did not think the local crowd would turn on the duo.
“They are a great crowd, not like at Nelson where they really get into the opposition. The family better be cheering for me, that’s for sure.”
Winitana and Henare looked to have made the right decision in changing to the Cougars, with the side sitting fourth on the table with eight wins and four losses, while the Hawks have battled, lying sixth with just four wins from 10 matches.
The Cougars have already qualified along with Nelson, Waikato and the Saints for the play-offs, which feature the top six, with the Hawks still seeking to secure a position.
The Hawks, who tout numerous guards in their line-up including former long-serving Canterbury Rams players Jeremy Kench and Mark Morrison, have made two roster changes of late, indicating a team desperate to find the winning formula.
Big forward Ben Hill transferred over from Palmerston North, while just last week American forward John Thomas was cut and replaced by Australian and 2003 NZ NBL Most Valuable Player David Cooper.
Cooper is a well-known force in the New Zealand league, with the 2.08m centre having been a dominant figure for Manawatu, while Winitana is intimately familiar with him, having played alongside him in the Australian league for the Adelaide 36ers.
“He’s an under-rated player but he can block shots, rebound and is a great passer,” said Winitana.
Cougars coach Andrew Gardiner said Henare had got through his first game after an ankle sprain while American forward Trent Wurtz was coming right after bruising to the tailbone which hampered his offensive effort in the match against the Saints.
Gardiner said he had yet to decide if Winitana would be rushed straight back into the starting line-up or come off the bench.
Friday, May 22
At TSB Stadium, New Plymouth
Devon Dynamos Taranaki v Waikato Pistons, 6pm
Referees - Dallas Pickering, Colin Dowling, Tony Eldershaw
At Pettigrew Green Arena, Taradale
0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks v Bartercard Christchurch Cougars, 7pm
Referees - Andy Thackray, Apai Apai, Wayne Start
