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

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.