Basketball New Zealand

Mike Helms (Photosport)

The Zerofees Southland Sharks has clinched a playoff berth in their inaugural season beating the McDonalds Manawatu Jets 96-88.

A 33-17 third quarter by the visitors gave them a 13 point lead which would be enough to prevent the Jets from a come behind win. Sharks Rene Rougeau who has held to a season low three points in the loss to the Fico Finance Giants bounced back to score 12 of his 25 points in the third period. Rougeau also grabbed 18 rebounds and blocked four shots.

Mike Helms and Gareth Dawson adding 22 and 13 points respectively taking the Sharks to the playoffs on their debut season.

Jets Calum MacLeod top scored with 21 also grabbing 13 rebounds, Darryl Hudson 20 and Chris Reay added 17 and 13 rebounds. But another upset for the Jets was not to be after winning in overtime to the Bay Hawks the night before.

The Sharks finish the season with nine wins and nine losses which is the same record as the Christchurch Cougars, but the Sharks beat the Cougars both times during the season which means the Sharks go through to take the final playoff spot.

It was unfortunate that the Cougars missed out having played great basketball during the latter stages of the competition winning six of their last seven games.

Sharks who played last night in Nelson, will again travel to the Trafalgar Centre for their quarterfinal on Tuesday night against the Giants who will be quietly confident having defeated the Sharks 83-71.

Saturday, June 19

At Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North

McDonalds Manawatu Jets 88 (Calum MacLeod 21, Darryl Hudson 20, Chris Reay 17) Zerofees Southland Sharks 96 (Rene Rougeau 25, Mike Helms 22, Gareth Dawson 13), Final

Referees – Andy Thackray, Wayne Start, Shane Nikora
1Q: 24-21
HT: 45-42 (21-21)
3Q: 62-75 (17-33)
FT: 88-96 (26-21)
Jets v Sharks Boxscore (24 KB html)