Stars Regain Lustre
Tagged in: NBL
A newlook Youthtown Auckland Stars outfit flexed its muscles and showed the Dominion Finance NBL that news of its demise was certainly premature with an emphatic 96-81 victory over Appliance Shed Harbour Heat at the North Shore Events Centre.
The result not only broke a three-game losing streak, it also secured “Battle of the Bridge” bragging rights with a home-and-away sweep of their northern neighbours.
American point guard George Baker led all scorers with 21 points, including 6/7 from beyond the arc, in just his second start for the Stars, who also welcomed back Tall Black centre Casey Frank from a mid-season vacation back home in the United States.
Rather than struggling with chemistry, Auckland seemed to hit the floor running with recently acquired imports Baker and Aussie Jonathon Shepherd, and Frank fitting seamlessly into the rotation. They trailed early, slipping 10 points behind early in the second quarter, but swept into the lead on the back of a 14-2 midway through that period.
With a 10-point advantage at halftime, the Stars conceded ground immediately after the break, but soon regained control with 13 unanswered points that included eight (two treys) from Baker and a three-point play from Dillon Boucher.
Forward Adrian Majstrovich looked far more at ease without the pressure of carrying the offence and compiled a “quiet” 19 points/11 rebounds double double, while sniper Dylan Perfect-Tait continued his breakout season with 15 points (5/8 3pt).
Just hours after stepping off the plane, Frank was comparatively quiet, but provided a much-needed inside presence that neutralized the threat of Harbour centre Tim Behrendorff, who picked up two technical fouls in a frustrated display.
Captain Hayden Allen led the Heat with 19 points, but had six turnovers and was handcuffed by foul trouble throughout the second half. Forward Mika Vukona compiled a double double of 18 points/10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, in Napier, the Easy LPG Bay Hawks dispatched Marley Canterbury Rams 106-92 behind another high-scoring display from captain Paora Winitana.
Six nights after lighting up the Stars for 28 points on 8/15 3pt shooting, Winitana was good for another 36 points against the southerners, as the Hawks improved to 6-4 and closed ground on the league leaders.
Dominion Finance NBL Round 10
North Shore
Youthtown Auckland Stars 96 (George Baker 21, Adrian Majstrovich 19, Dylan Perfect-Tait 15, Casey Frank 12) Appliance Shed Harbour Heat 81 (Hayden Allen 19, Mika Vukona 18, Oscar Forman 17, Tim Behrendorff 10)
1Q: 17-25
HT: 53-43 (36-18)
3Q: 72-59 (19-16)
FT: 96-81 (24-22)
Heat-Stars Box Score (20KB html)
Napier
Easy LPG Bay Hawks 106 (Paora Winitana 36, Kevin Smith 23) Marley Canterbury Rams 92 (John Whorton 28)
1Q: 33-24
HT: 57-46 (24-22)
3Q: 83-70 (26-24)
FT: 106-92 (23-22)
Hawks-Rams Box Score (21KB html)
