RAMS ROUT HAWKS

The Canterbury Rams have maintained their great record at home easily dispatching the IMS Payroll Hawks 83-62.

Former Houston Rocket, Jermaine Taylor set the tone for the Rams scoring 11 of his 19 points in the opening quarter, giving his side a 21-9 lead at quarter break.  The Rams would push their lead up to 23 at halftime, the Hawks meanwhile could not find the basket, only scoring 24 points.  After the break the Rams started the quarter on a massive drought, finally scoring their first basket in six minutes from a Mickell Gladness field goal.

The Hawks did not take advantage of the opportunity and still trailed by 17 at the end of the third.

Canterbury would score the first six points of the final quarter, ending any miracle comeback for the visitors. The loss putting the Hawks under .500 with three wins and four losses.  Richie Edwards scored a game high 25 and Gladness dominated the paint with 12 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks. The Rams also getting 12 boards from Marques Whippy as they outrebounded the Hawks 52-39.

Forward, Suleiman Braimoh was the only Hawks to score over double-digits with 25 points and ten rebounds. Collectively the Hawks shot 34% from the field and an inexcusable 10/23 from the foul line.

The Hawks will now travel to Invercargill to play the Zerofees Southland Sharks who have won three straight at home.

Canterbury now move to 6-5 and will have an extended break before they host the Hawks again on May 24.

Friday, May 15

Canterbury Rams 83

IMS Payroll Hawks 63

Live Stats

HAWKS WIN SECOND STRAIGHT

The IMS Payroll Hawks have won their second straight game, defeating the Augusta Airs 97-90.

Suleiman Braimoh had 21 points and 14 rebounds against his former team, and his front court partner Zack Atkinson also added a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks who move to 2-2.

Last week the Hawks took care of point guard Jason Cadee, who was held to a season low seven points. This week the Hawks did the same to Taranaki point guard Chris Hagan, who after scoring 38 last week in Nelson was reduced to two points in 27 minutes.

Taranaki forward Aaron Fuller carried the side with 28 points, and shooting guard Brad Anderson scored 20 off the bench.

But it today was the same issue that has plagued the 0-5 Airs this season, and that his defense, allowing the Hawks to shoot 57% from the field and gifting them 25-30 from the foul line.

This would have been a prime opportunity for Taranaki to get their first win of the season because the Hawks were without Paora Winitana.

But the Bay got 30 efficient points from Marco Alexander (18 points) and Alonzo Burton (12 points), both stepping up in Winitana’s absence.

The Hawks will have an opportunity to add to the win column, playing their next two games at home playing Taranaki in a couple of weeks and the win less Manawatu Jets next Saturday.

Could it be Tab Baldwin Mk II?

Hawke’s Bay basketball fans will be excused if they ask this question when they see new IMS Payroll Hawks coach Liam Flynn courtside at Taradale’s Pettigrew-Green Arena this season. There is a strong resemblance between Baldwin, the Hawks mentor for the 2013-14 seasons, who is now Philippines-based, and his replacement.

In fact Flynn, who at 35 is 21 years younger than the former Tall Blacks head coach, could pass for Baldwin’s son. Just as Baldwin did, Flynn, the Nelson Giants head coach for the past two years, will arrive in the Bay with an impressive CV.

Flynn has coached at many levels in Australia including the NBL and was an assistant coach with the Townsville Crocodiles.

In recent years the father of two daughters has coached in Germany’s professional league with Giessen 46’s of Frankfurt.

“We’re thrilled to secure Liam, he’s got both international and New Zealand experience, with the Giants, and he’s motivated to take the IMS Payroll Hawks to a title. It’s a real benefit that he’s coached in New Zealand and he knows some of the players on our roster,” Aflallo says.

Flynn is excited about moving to the Bay and working with the talent developed over the past two seasons.

“I was enjoying a very successful season here in Germany, but this chance to coach the IMS Payroll Hawks in a tough New Zealand league was too good to pass up. I really respected the way the Hawks played the game last season, they played hard, were well-coached and they looked to be a tight-knit group that put winning games above all else,” Flynn says.

He stresses he is keen to continue the Hawks’ “team first” culture and add his flavour to it.

Flynn is particularly looking forward to coaching point guard Jarrod Kenny, as the role he plays is key to the team’s performance, and also reuniting with captain Paora Winitana, who he spent time with at the Adelaide 36ers.

“I think the point guard position is so important to being successful in basketball and having one of the best in the league in Jarrod Kenny is a huge building block for our team.

“I enjoyed coaching Paora back with the Adelaide 36ers in the ANBL. He’s one of the hardest-working guys I ever coached and it will be great to be back on court with him.”

Flynn can’t wait to have Hawks fans on his side.

“The fans make a huge difference, they create an atmosphere that make it hard to play against, they’re part of the team.”

Naming-rights sponsor Kevin Atkinson of IMS Payroll says Flynn’s appointment heralds a new direction for the side and he says it is important fans get in behind Flynn and the team to create a fortress at Pettigrew-Green Arena this season.

Flynn won’t have to wait long to prepare the Hawks to take on his former team. The Giants are their first-round opponents at the Arena on April 4.

Flynn will be arriving in Hawke’s Bay on Saturday to meet the team. He is holding an open trial on Sunday at the Arena for players hoping to secure a berth on the roster.

2015 SEASON TICKETS & HAWKS CLUB MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE NOW

Click on the link below to check out the special packages on offer for 2015.

We want to see you courtside this season, help us to extend our unbeaten home record through 2015.

Email the office now and go into the draw to win some great prizes!

2015 Hawks Season Ticket Packages

2015 Hawks Club Memberships

Ticket prices at the gate per game are:

Adults $15
Seniors $12
Students with ID $12
Children (5-15yrs) $9
Family (2 adults + 2 kids) $45

TICKETS AVAIALBLE FOR PRE-GAME PURCHASE FROM THE HAWKS OFFICE AT PGA – CASH & EFTPOS AVAILABLE

HEAD COACH VACANCY

The application process has now closed for this position. We are currently reviewing the applicants and a shortlisting process is underway.

BALDWIN STEPS DOWN AS 2015 HEAD COACH

IMS Payroll Hawks today announced its 2013-14 coach Tab Baldwin will not return for next season’s National Basketball League.

Hawks chairman David Aflallo said the two parties had failed to agree to terms in renewing the contract and the franchise will immediately advertise for a new head coach.

“We haven’t been able to come to an agreement that suits both us and Tab.

“This is a mutual decision and Tab goes with our blessing. He’s leaving the team in a better position than when he arrived. It’s unfortunate for us but we are excited about this coming season.

Baldwin said he remains an avid supporter of the Hawks. He has played an integral role in the development of many of the players and he is keen to watch their ongoing success.

“Although leaving the Hawks is a difficult decision, I have nothing but fond memories from the past two years.

“The 2014 season was a great recovery from a tough 2013 campaign and it was characterised by the teamwork of the entire organisation.

“From the outstanding group of Board members to our great general manager, Tanya Dearns and her predecessor, Paul Trass, to a tremendous team and support staff, I was blessed to work alongside all of you.

“I want to thank the many sponsors, especially Kevin Atkinson, who supported the team and was so instrumental in me coming to the Bay.  Most importantly, I want to say that regardless of where I coach now, the Bay is my home and the Hawks is my home team.  I will stay a strong supporter of the organisation and players in any way that I am able.”

“I look forward to the team taking the next step up and winning the NBL,” Baldwin said.

IMS Payroll Hawks sponsor Kevin Atkinson said he was disappointed to see Tab go, as they also had a long-standing friendship.

“Tab is one of New Zealand’s greatest coaches, so it’s sad to see him go, but the team and management are in a pretty strong position and I’m sure there will be no shortage of interest from top coaches keen to move to Hawke’s Bay.”

Hawks general manager Tanya Dearns said the head coach role will be advertised immediately, with an appointment made as soon as possible.

“We get approached all the time by coaches keen to move to Hawke’s Bay and coach the Hawks, so I know we’ll get plenty of interest in the role.

“Tab has been fantastic for us, he is well respected by the players and has had strong relationships with our sponsors. I’ve also enjoyed working with him this season and wish him all the best” Dearns said.

2014 IMS PAYROLL TEAM AWARDS

Congratulations to our team for a fantastic season. Our end of season dinner was held on Monday night following NBL Finals Weekend, to celebrate and acknowledge some individual performances:

Regular Season Minor Premiers

Franchise best winning percentage 83.3% and best winning record 15-3.

Best Overall Rebounder:    DUSTIN SCOTT

Best Offensive Player:         EVERARD BARTLETT

Best Defensive Player:         PAORA WINITANA

Player’s Player:                      JARROD KENNY

2014 IMS Payroll MVP:       JARROD KENNY

2014 NBL Coach of the Year (presented at finals weekend):      TAB BALDWIN

2014 NBL ALL STAR Five:    DUSTIN SCOTT

2014 NBL Administrator of the Year (presented at finals weekend):      TANYA DEARNS (General Manager)

2014 BARTERCARD NBL SEASON STATS

2014 Bartercard NBL League Stats (Regular Season)

IMS PAYROLL HAWKS EDGE SHARKS IN OT

Sunday was a day of overtimes, as the IMS Payroll Hawks edge the Zerofees Sharks 94-89 in extra time.

Earlier today the Canterbury Rams had their first road win of the season in an overtime thriller against the Advice First Pistons.

Tonight, shooting guard Everard Barlett scored a season high 29, leading the Hawks to a victory that looked unlikely when they trailed by 13 points in the early stages of the fourth quarter.

A three from Darryl Jones gave the Hawks a 76-75 lead with under three minutes to go, and when Bartlett made two free throws with 13 seconds to go, the Sharks needed a three to tie the game.

Most people would have thought it would be Kevin Braswell who would take the three, but it was his back court partner Luke Martin who made the clutch three to send the game into overtime.

Martin scored a team high 25 points, and also made a three point play in the overtime to give the Sharks a 85-83 lead with 3:17 remaining.

But Martin would foul out a couple of minutes later, and the Hawks would re-take the lead scoring the next three points off free throws.

Braswell would score in the following possession to level the scores, but after that it would be all Hawks, as they scored the next six points to seal the win.

Jarrod Kenny had an impressive game of 21 points, six steals and five assists for the Hawks, who shot 42% from the three point line.

Brian Conklin and Braswell each scored 20, and after being limited to 13 minutes the night before, forward Tai Wesley added 18 points and 10 rebounds in 40 plus minutes.

Southland have now lost three straight on the road and are in a log jam with the Saints, Giants and Pistons with only one game separating second to fifth.

The Sharks will play their next game at home to the Rams before they play a road double of Nelson and Canterbury in the final round of the regular season.

The Hawks will be happy to avoid their first losing streak of the season with today’s win, but will want to finish the regular season on a high note playing Taranaki and Otago before they prepare for the playoffs.

At Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier

IMS Payroll Hawks 94 (Everard Bartlett 29, Jarrod Kenny 21, Darryl Jones 12) Zerofees Sharks 89 (Luke Martin 25, Brian Conklin 20, Kevin Braswell 20), Final OT

Referees – Melony Wealleans, Apai Apai, Gareth Teahan 1Q: 25-21 HT: 40-43 (15-22) 3Q: 57-65 (17-22) 4Q: 80-80 (23-15) OT: 94-89 (14-9) Live Stats