Kiwis Take Title Shots
Tagged in: Kiwis Abroad
Warning: file_exists() [function.file-exists]: open_basedir restriction in effect. File(/var/www/vhosts/basketball.org.nz/httpdocs/resources/uploads/2007/08/baker_lance_118666-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
Former Junior Tall Black Lance Baker will contest the Queensland Australian Basketball League final after his Gold Coast Goannas defeated Southwest Metro Pirates 106-89 in the semifinals.
Baker, who last turned out for Waikato Titans in the 2005 NBL, had 12 points (5/11 FG, 2/7 3pt), five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal in 32 minutes as a starter. Gold Coast, who finished fifth in the regular season (11-7), got out to a 29-16 after the opening quarter and extended their lead over the final quarter to earn a spot in the final against Cairns Marlins.
In the quarterfinal, the Goannas ended the title hopes of Tall Black legend Warwick Meehl and former Avondale College star Tyrone Davey, defeating Maroochydore Clippers 135-123.
Baker had 10 points (4/13 FG, 2/7 3pt), six assists, five rebounds, a block and a steal, while former NZ Breaker Adam Darragh compiled 26 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds and two steals.
For the Meehl-coached Clippers, Davey had 27 points (10/21 FG, 6/10 3pt, 1/2 FT).
Former Junior Tall Fern Shannon Proffit is also in the womenís final after Maroochydoreís 67-57 win over Toowoomba Mountaineers in the semis.
Proffit had five points (2/8 FG, 1/2 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks in 36 minutes. Maroochydore ran up a 25-11 lead over the first quarter and held off a Toowoomba rally in the final period.
The Clippers beat South West Metro Pirates 79-53 in the quarters – Proffit had seven points, 10 rebounds, four steals and two assists – and now face Townsville, who won the regular season with a 17-1 record.
Meanwhile, NZ Tall Fern Angela Marino had a horror shooting night as her Stuart Sabres fell from contention for the Central Australian Basketball League title, losing 62-65 to Norwood Flames in the preliminary final.
Marino had 14 points (5/24 FG, 1/11 3pt, 3/8 FT), five rebounds, two assists and a steal in 36 minutes as Sturt, who won the regular season with a 14-2 record, fell 9-22 behind in the first quarter.
