The Southland Times

The Southland Sharks will play each of the nine other New Zealand NBL franchises at home and away this season. Basketball reporter Brendon Egan takes a look at who the pretenders and contenders could be.

HARBOUR HEAT
Formed: 1986
Main Arena: North Shore Events Centre, Auckland
Coach: Judd Flavell
Last year: 9-7, quarterfinalists
Key Players: Kavossy Franklin, Rick Rickert, Dillon Boucher, Corey Webster
The squad: Kavossy Franklin (US), Rick Rickert (US), BJ Anthony, Dillon Boucher, Corey Webster, Darryl Cartwright, Reece Cassidy, Sam King, Morgan Nathan, Karl Noyer, Houston O'Riley, Brad Anderson

The lowdown: This finally looks to be the season that the underachieving Harbour Heat could win an NBL title. The Aucklanders have two of the best imports in the league in experienced point guard Kavossy Franklin and New Zealand Breakers forward Rick Rickert – who has played in the NBA. Heat have also snapped up former Tall Black Dillon Boucher and when you chuck in rising Tall Black stars Corey Webster and BJ Anthony, they are stacked right across the court.

WAIKATO PISTONS
Formed: 1982
Main Arena: YMCA, Hamilton
Coach: Dean Vickerman
Last year: 14-2, champions
Key players: Eric Devendorf, Tony Ronaldson, Thomas Abercrombie
The squad: Eric Devendorf (US), Tony Ronaldson (Australia), Ray Cameron, Alex Pledger, Gerard Bowden, Hayden Allen, Mike Homik, Puke Lenden, Thomas Abercrombie, Kurtis Elliot.

The lowdown: Last year's champions should once again be one the frontrunners for the title. Former Syracuse University standout Eric Devendorf will run the team from point guard with Gerard Bowden, Hayden Allen and Thomas Abercrombie also capable of lighting it up on the offensive end. The Pistons also have recently retired New Zealand Breakers Australian power forward Tony Ronaldson, who will provide a wealth of leadership out on the floor.

TARANAKI MOUNTAINAIRS
Formed: 1985
Arena: TSB Stadium, New Plymouth
Coach: Angelo Hill
Last year: 0-16, missed playoffs
Key players: Demarshay Johnson, John Leasure, Jeremiah Trueman.
The squad: Demarshay Johnson (US), John Leasure (US), Jeremiah Trueman, Tyrone Davey, Aaron Bailey-Nowell, Alex Wastney, Josh Paurini, Jordan Mills, Tim Cleaver, Eli Paurini, Aled Jones, Dylan Wineera, Todd Fisher, Pete Northcott.

The lowdown: Taranaki were the whipping boys of last year's NBL, failing to win any of their 16 matches. They look far stronger than last season, but should still find the going tough. Their two American imports – Demarshay Johnson and John Leasure – will be crucial to their hopes, with promising young centre Jeremiah Trueman also one to watch out for.

0800 Easy LPG BAY HAWKS
Formed: 1983
Arena: Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier
Coach: Shawn Dennis
Last year: 7-9, quarterfinalists
Key players: Jamil Terrell, Josh Pace, Chris Daniel
The squad: Jamil Terrell (US), Josh Pace (US), Paul Henare, Everard Bartlett, Jarrod Kenny, Ben Hill, Dave Langrell, Chris Daniel, Miles Pearce, Haylen Tahau, Nat Connell.

The lowdown: Hawke's Bay have been dealt a blow for the season with marquee Tall Black signing Paul Henare expected to miss most of the season as he recovers from knee surgery. The side's chances are likely to hinge on the performances of 2007 New Zealand NBL MVP Josh Pace – who will miss the opening weeks of the season while he finishes his commitments in the American Basketball Association. Hawke's Bay have a wealth of NBL experience in Dave Langrell, Nat Connell, Miles Pearce and Ben Hill and if the side can gel they could be a real handful.

MANAWATU JETS
Formed: 1982
Arena: Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North
Coach: Ryan Weisenberg
Last year: 4-12, missed playoffs
Key players: Richard Jeter, Ronald Allen, Kaine Hokianga.
The squad: Richard Jeter (US), Ronald Allen (US), Kaine Hokianga, Piers Finch, Paul Bristol, Calum McLeod, Matt Te Huna, Logan Funnell, Josh O'Connell, Callum Brock, Adrian Torrie, Rick Dalzell.

The lowdown: Manawatu have struggled in recent seasons and that looks set to continue again this year. New head coach Ryan Weisenberg – who has been an asisstant coach with the Los Angeles Sparks and Houston Comets in the American WNBA and could be a breath of fresh air for the franchise. If the Jets are to be a surprise package this season they will need huge contributions from their American imports Richard Jeter and Ronald Allen, with not many other big names on their roster.

WELLINGTON SAINTS
Formed: 1983
Arena: TSB Bank Arena, Wellington
Coach: Pero Cameron
Last year: 12-4, semifinalists
Key players: Lindsay Tait, Nick Horvath, Darryl Hudson.

The squad: Darryl Hudson (US), Erron Maxey (US), Lindsay Tait, Leon Henry, Nick Horvath, Randall Bishop, Damien Ekenasio, Troy McLean, George Lea'afa, Arthur Trousdell, David Hopoi, Corey Vessey, Ross Taurima, Sid Adams.The lowdown: Wellington once again have a talented squad, but whether it is a championship-winning squad is the big question. Legendary Tall Black Pero Cameron will make his coaching debut with the Saints and there will be a lot of interest to see how he goes with a clipboard in his hand. Lindsay Tait is one of the better point guards in the NBL, while Nick Horvath will once again be a major force with his scoring, rebounding and shot blocking ability.

NELSON GIANTS
Formed: 1982
Arena: Trafalgar Centre, Nelson
Coach: Chris Tupu
Last year: 12-4, runners-up.
Key players: Mika Vukona, Phil Jones, Michael Fitchett.

The squad: Michael Harrison (US), Mika Vukona, Phil Jones, Michael Fitchett, Tony Rampton, Darryl Jones, Ben Wright, Bronson Beri, Nico Ritschny, Josh Bloxham, Brad Maclachlan, Stephen Bill, Tom Ingham, Samuel Dempster.The lowdown: The Giants are always one of the leading sides in the NBL and that again looks to be the case this season. Phil Jones is back for another season in the Nelson colours while Tall Blacks Mika Vukona, Michael Fitchett and Tony Rampton will help form one of the best starting fives in the league. American import Michael Harrison returns to the Giants after a season away and should be a real asset again with his scoring and rebounding.

CHRISTCHURCH COUGARS
Formed: 2009
Arena: Cowles Stadium, Christchurch
Coach: Andrew Gardiner
Last year: 10-6, semi-finalists
Key players: Tim Behrendorff, Paora Winitana, Jeremy Kench.

The squad: Tim Behrendorff (Australia), Trenton Wurtz (US), Paora Winitana, Aidan Daly, Lionel Hopgood, Dean Le Warne, Mark Morrison, Dan Peck, Carew Elers, Marty Davison, Jeremy Kench, Adrian Taylor, Rusty Thomson, Sam Crozier.The lowdown: The Cougars surprised everyone in their debut season in the league last year – making the playoffs. The side again looks capable of making the top six this year, although they will miss the services of Paul Henare and Gerard Bowden from last year. Tim Behrendorff and Paora Winitana will be integral figures for the Christchurch side, with former Tall Black guard Jeremy Kench returning to Canterbury after a season with Hawke's Bay.

OTAGO NUGGETS
Formed: 1990
Arena: Edgar Centre, Dunedin
Coach: Alf Arlidge
Last year: N/A
Key players: Antoine Tisby, Tayler Amaya, Sam Toomata.

The squad: Antoine Tisby (US), Tayler Amaya (US), Matt Gillan, Chris Hepburn, Steve Robinson, Sam Toomata, James Ross, Hayden Miller, Riki Buckrell, Tom Rowe, Matt Trueman, Luke Aston.The lowdown: Otago returns to the NBL after a season away because of financial troubles. In recent years, the Nuggets have been at the NBL basement and it is hard to see that changing again this season. The Nuggets have taken on a major local focus in their comeback season with their squad predominantly coming from Dunedin. Antoine Tisby was one of the best players in the NBL when he played for the Nuggets in 2008 and he will again be vital to their efforts this year.

SOUTHLAND SHARKS
Formed: 2010
Arena: Stadium Southland, Invercargill
Coach: Richard Dickel
Last year: N/A
Key players: Rene Rougeau, Luke Martin, Martin Iti

The squad: Rene Rougeau (USA), Mike Rose (USA), Martin Iti, Luke Martin, Gareth Dawson, James Paringatai, Ian Cathcart, Daniel Munday, Paratene McLeod, Bubba Lau'ese, Pete Burgess, Andrew Wheeler, Izaac Williams, Tavita Bower.The lowdown: For the first time in NBL history, Southland will have an NBL side. The Sharks only had two months to get ready for the new season after their place in the league was confirmed in December. In that time, they have acquired some handy names and have built a side which is capable of challenging for the top six playoffs. Former Australian Boomer Luke Martin's signing was a major coup for the franchise and he will captain the Sharks in their debut campaign. Other important figures will be American small forward Rene Rougeau and former New Mexico State collegiate star Martin Iti – who is eligible for the Tall Blacks.