Both teams came out of the blocks meaning business. Strong defense was written all over the court. Shots were taken but were just not going in. Campbell Woolley started out strong, grabbing rebounds from both ends of the court. It took 2 minutes before the first points were scored, with Kalem Tanoa taking the ball to rim. Napier replied quickly and both teams were now fully engaged in the battle of the bucket. Jordan Chapman made his presence felt, demonstrating some solid defense and impressive blocks to turn over valuable ball. The speed of the game was intense and there was nothing in it. The first quarter was a blur, but Napier won the quarter 19-17.
Maraki Aumua opened the second quarter with a beautiful 3 pointer, but not to be out done was an equally impressive 3-point reply from Napier’s Captain, Toby Kendon. Campbell, Griffyn and Kalem kept the quarter ticking over with secure shots at the rim, but it was Cooper Ohlson who was secured two more boundary shots which helped turn the tide on the scoreboard, finishing the quarter 41 – 39 up.
Napier’s captain was securing most of the points for the opposition. We needed to close off his opportunities and put more pressure on their other players who were getting into foul trouble. The game at this stage was very much in the balance – risks had to be carefully calculated because Napier are the sort of team who can take a one basket deficit and turn it into a 10-point lead.
Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened. We managed to shut out their captain for much of the quarter, but it was Hawaiki Pollock who became the new threat with the points for Napier being shared between Pollock and their number 7, Ryan McQuire in quick succession. Layups were not going to keep us in this game. Our boys needed to create open boundary shots, have the confidence to take them and trust in our ‘bigs’ to tidy up the rebounds.
Kairangi reached new heights that dropped jaws as he secured numerous rebounds and passed them off effectively. Kalem was the first to put 3 more on the board, followed by Griffyn who converted two consecutive attempts into 6 points. Cooper and Kaleb followed suit, putting the necessary points on the board ready to go into the last quarter 64 – 61 up.
Ten minutes was all that was left of the game. Ten minutes to push harder and secure a more comfortable lead. There was nothing in the score, there was nothing too much separating the teams. Fouls on each team were just as even as the score line, though we were well aware that two of Napier’s top point scorers were both in foul trouble – on 4. We wanted much of the same as the last few minutes of the third quarter while trying to take advantage of the opposition’s foul trouble.
We opened the quarter at a fierce pace. Maraki had the bench on their feet as he sent a boundary shot through the hoop. The boys had not had time to sit down before Kalem did the same. Our lead was stretching as our formidable defense left Napier scoreless in the first 2 minutes of the last quarter. Time-out was called but we could not let this slow down our momentum.
Napier returned to the court ready for business, and it wasn’t long before McGuire put 8 consecutive points on the board, reducing our 75 – 62 lead to 75 – 69. We were letting them back in the game and they were hungry to take it from us. Tension could be felt because this game was a relentless battle that would soon become part of the long history that is Polson Banner. With only 1 minute and 50 seconds left on the clock, we had to protect what was ours. We did not need a repeat of Hastings today.
Cooper pressured the ball at halfway and came away with a steal that was converted into 2. Kalem secured another boundary and a couple of 2 pointers. We almost had our hands on victory with 50 seconds to go but there were only 8 points in it. We knew from past mistakes that this could bite us if we were not clinical in our performance. Our 8-point lead was reduced to 7 with 30 to go. We just had to protect the ball and our possession of it while deny them of any chance to add to their total. With 20 seconds to go it was Kairangi who put the final points on the board, finishing with a well-earned victory, 90 – 81.
Napier made us work hard for every point we got. Our boys on the bench brought the energy to keep our boys going and they were all part of this hard-fought victory. Their observations of the game will help us get stronger as their input into our next steps as a team, as well as next steps as individuals, is worked into our trainings leading up to the Wellington Exchange on July 28, followed by Super 8 in Hamilton on August 1 – 4.
Thanks again to our officials, supporters, Arena staff, sponsors (Scafit, Property Brokers, Proegear, and Insurance & Mortgage Networks), and of course our coaches, Terry and Sonny for all you do for our boys.
