HAWKS END THEIR SEASON WITH A SPIRITED LOSS

The James Blond Supercity Rangers have held off a spirited IMS Payroll Hawks team 107-102.

Jason Cadee scored 35 and Reuben Te Rangi had 33 for the Rangers 10th win of the season.

Suleiman Braimoh got the Hawks off to a flying start scoring 15 of his 31 in the opening quarter to give his side 31-22 lead.

The Rangers would peg it back rapidly in the second period, overtaking the visitors to lead 51-46.

After trailing by double-digits the Hawks got to within three with under two minutes to go, but the Rangers were able to keep them at bay.

GIANTS TOO GOOD

The Mike Pero Nelson Giants have moved to second place with a 103-82 win over the IMS Payroll Hawks.

American duo, DeRonn Scott (26 points), McKenzie Moore (21) led the Giants to their 13th win of the season and are now half a game ahead of the Wellington Saints who lost 107-99 against the Canterbury Rams.

Mika Vukona grabbed a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds as the Giants had a strong second quarter which put them up 13 by halftime.

Nelson extended their lead to 26 in the final quarter, giving the Hawks their 11th loss of the season.

Suleiman Braimoh scored 15 and Zack Atkinson added 14 for the visitors who will play their final game of the season against the James Blond Supercity Rangers tomorrow.

HOME SEASON FINISHED WITH A “W”

Shooting guard Luke Aston scores 32 for the IMS Payroll Hawks who ended the Canterbury Rams playoff hopes with an 83-74 win.

Aston shot 7/11 from the three point line for the Hawks who had a strong first half, leading by 15.

The Rams managed to close to within five in the latter stages of the fourth quarter, but in the end it was not enough as they drop to 8-9.

The defeat is good news for the James Blond Supercity Rangers who won’t need to win a game to clinch the final playoff spot as they have the tiebreak advantage from beating the Rams both times this season.

Marques Whippy scored a team high 17 off the bench for Ram, Jermaine Taylor had 15 and Mickell Gladness added 11.

The Hawks will now end their season with a road double against the Nelson Giants and the Rangers.

CHEER ON THE TALL FERNS

The Tall Ferns vs. Opals tickets for Monday 17 August at ASB Arena in Tauranga are on sale now to the general public. Curtain raiser games will include the NZU17 Women playing for a medal in the FIBA U16 Oceania Championship.

Cheering on the Tall Ferns in Tauranga against the Opals? Here’s a guide on where to stay, wine and dine, shop and things to do. There’s plenty for everyoneso make the trip over, relax and enjoy the basketball.

Coming along to the Tall Ferns game? Now it’s time to get your official supporters gear and join the ‘black out’. Order online now and collect your items at the game from the merchandise stall, or have it delivered to your door. *

Get your war paint on and show your true colours. Get your face painted for free at the game.

             * Conditions

• Customers must specify if they want to collect items at the game from the merchandise stall at ASB Arena on 17  August or delivered

• Proof of purchase must be shown upon collection of items from the merchandise stall at ASB Arena on 17 August 

• All items must be collected from the merchandise stall at ASB Arena on 17 August from 4:00pm – 9:00pmIf you’re interested in packages to cheer on our Tall Blacks and Tall Ferns in Australia and here in New Zealand, you’ll find all the information here. Fuzion Travel also offer tailor made packages to suit your requirements. There are limited tickets on hold so be in quick.

HAWKS WIN IN OVERTIME

In Napier, the IMS Payroll Hawks have held off the Augusta Airs in a scoring bonanza, the home side winning 127-123 in overtime.

The Hawks got 50 points off the bench from guards Alonzo Burton (26) and Marco Alexander (24) as they outscored Taranaki 17-13 in OT.

The home side led by ten with four minutes remaining in regular time, but four three’s from Taranaki point guard Chris Hagan spurred his side to a 108-105 advantage with under a minute to go.

A huge three from forward Darryl Jones followed by a two from Zack Atkinson (20 points, 13 rebounds) put the Bay back up two.

League leading scorer Aaron Fuller, who would end the game with 36 points and 12 rebounds would make the game tying basket to force the extra period.

Fuller would make the first basket in OT, but that would be the only time Taranaki would lead as they now drop to 0-14.

IMS PAYROLL HAWKS GENERAL MANAGER STEPS DOWN

The IMS Payroll Hawks will move quickly to find a replacement for general manager Tanya Dearns, who has been appointed coach of the Central Pulse netball team.

IMS Payroll Hawks chairman David Aflallo said that although they are disappointed to lose Tanya to the netball role, they also didn’t want to step in the way of her return to her other sporting passion.

“Tanya has been a fantastic general manager for the IMS Payroll Hawks, but her heart has always been in netball. She will be missed by the Hawks family of players, board members, sponsors and fans,” Mr Aflallo said.

Ms Dearns will leave the role at the end of the NBL season to start with the Central Pulse at the beginning of August. The former Silver Fern is excited about the new role but at the same time has mixed emotions about leaving the IMS Payroll Hawks.

“I’ve been involved for two seasons and it’s been a roller coaster ride. The team and the board has always been committed to being the best and I’m also incredibly grateful to the family of sponsors that have backed the IMS Payroll Hawks.

“And you can’t forget the black and white Hawks fans, they are very loyal to the franchise and I look forward to sitting amongst them, when time allows to cheer the team on.”

Mr Aflallo said the franchise in negotiations with a potential new general manager and hopes to make an announcement soon.

HAWKS STUN RAMS

The IMS Payroll Hawks have stunned the Canterbury Rams in Christchurch with an 84-75 win.

Suleiman Braimoh again led the way for the Hawks with 24 points and 14 rebounds, fellow import Zack Atkinson also grabbed a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds.

Last week, the Hawks suffered a 19 point loss to the Rams and it looked like it was going to be the same result when the home side took an 11 point lead at the end of the opening period.

But the Hawks managed to whittle the lead down through the second and third quarters, briefly taking a one point lead during the end of the third.

Canterbury would hold a slim lead during the early part of the fourth quarter, but six straight points from Atkinson, followed by a dunk from Braimoh put the Hawks in front by six.

The Rams did close to within a single point but could never regain the lead, now dropping to 6-6 for the season.

Today, the Rams struggled offensively, shooting 38% from the field, Richie Edwards was the top scorer with 18, but shot 6/23 from the field.

Marques Whippy scored a personal best 17, Ethan Rusbatch had 11 and point guard Jermain Taylor added 10.

It was a much needed win for the Hawks (4-6), who dropped their last three on the road.

They will return home to host the Zerofees Southland Sharks (7-3) this coming Saturday.

RANGERS PIP HAWKS IN LAST 2 MINUTES OF 4TH QUARTER

Both the James Blond Supercity Rangers and Zerofees Southland Sharks have had to fight hard to secure wins.

The Rangers trailed by as many as 11 in the second quarter against the IMS Payroll Hawks, but a 31-21 fourth quarter gave them the 96-87 win.

Reuben Te Rangi scored a team high 24 points and Round Seven player of the week, Tom Garlepp added 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Rangers who jump to second place with an 8-4 win-loss record.

It was a much improved effort from the Hawks, led by import Suleiman Braimoh who had 25 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hawks also welcomed back their leader Paora Winitana, who had a tidy 21 points. Despite a poor shooting night, Jarrod Kenny dished out 11 assists, and center Zack Atkinson had 14 points and seven rebounds.

The game was tied at 84 all with under two minutes remaining and it looked like it could be either team’s ball game. In the end though, it was the Rangers who made the key plays down the stretch, including consecutive three’s from Casey Frank and Jason Cadee.

NEED TO REVISIT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11450958

SOUTHLAND SHARKS WIN FOURTH STRAIGHT

The Zerofees Southland Sharks continue their dominant form at home, defeating the IMS Payroll Hawks 82-71. The Sharks dominated the first three quarters, taking a 32 point lead going into the final quarter. Complacency did set in for the Sharks though, the Hawks outscoring the home side 25-5 in the final quarter to make the final score respectable.

Todd Blanchfield put together another stellar performance, scoring 30 points, Tai Wesley had 16 and former Hawk, Adrian Majstrovich had 15 for the Sharks who now move to 5-3.

The Hawks suffered a big loss to the Rams on Friday, and tonight it was much the same, shooting 32% from the field. Suleiman Braimoh had a double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds, and off the bench, Alonzo Burton scored 18 for the Hawks who now drop to 3-5.

Next week the Hawks will have another tricky road double-header when they play the James Blond Supercity Rangers and then the Canterbury Rams.

Sunday, May 17

Zerofees Southland Sharks 82

IMS Payroll Hawks 71

Live Stats