Stat Line

Points T. Blanchfield 23 (TVL), J. Pace 22 (TVL), K. Johnson 21 (NZB)

Rebounds A. Pledger 10 (NZB), Several with 8

Assists S. Markovic 6 (TVL), J. Holmes 4 (TVL), Several with 2

Steals Several with 1

Blocks T. Abercrombie 2 (NZB), Several with 1

How It Unfolded

The momentum of their opening win didn’t last long, as the Breakers dropped their first game on the road, in a performance punctuated by sloppiness. They held strong for two quarters, taking the half time lead after a long rage buzzer-beater from Kerron Johnson. But in the third the kiwi team fell apart, scoring just 13 points. With main rebounding threats Mika Vukona and Alex Pedger spending time on the bench with foul trouble, Aussie Todd Blanchfield hit a few three pointers for the hosts and they established what would be the winning lead. The Breakers were so much poorer in possession in this one. They only managed 5 assists compared to their opponents 21, and had an unacceptable 15 turnovers (4 different players with at least 3), most profligate was backup point Corey Webster with 4 TOs. The comeback was briefly on, until Vukona was slapped with a technical foul (he would later foul out – just as he did in the opener), highlighting another Breakers issue in this game – fouls. The Crocs went to the free throw line 23 times. Vukona is always a physical player, and Pledger muscled up in the post last night too, but the Breakers don’t have an unlimited supply of big men, and they struggled with them both on the bench. New foul interpretations were introduced this year in the ANBL, and Vukona has been outspoken in his frustration with adapting to them. Clearly he wasn’t kidding. While they shot well overall, their shooting from beyond the arc, so often a strength of this team, was poor, just 3/13 (and one of those was Johnson’s Hail Mary ball). First game hero Daryl Corletto was 1/5 from distance (for 4 total pts). Blanchfield dominated the game with 23 pts, supported by Americans Josh Pace (who plays for Nelson in the NZ NBL) with 22 pts 2 ass 3 reb and Brian Conklin with 18 pts 8 reb. Breakers guard CJ Bruton missed this one with an illness, and despite his reduced role in the opener, his calming presence and clever distribution meant he was sorely missed. This was the first game in a North Queensland double header for the Breakers, who can bounce back with a win against Cairns tonight.

Stocks Up

It hasn’t taken long for Kerron Johnson to start picking up the slack left behind from Cedric Jackson’s departure. KJ was the best of the Breakers against Townsville. His 21 points (9/11 shooting) led his team in scoring, and he was even good for 3 rebounds. Only two assists in this one show the partnerships with his teammates clearly aren’t there yet, but signs are good. Remember, this guy was a highly rated college prospect. If anything, he’s got more pedigree than Cedric had. KJ, unlike most of his teammates, didn’t turn the ball over once.

Stocks Down

Darnell Lazare. The Breakers ‘other’ import has failed to show much worth in the first two games, with just 4 points total (1/7 shooting), plus 0 assists to 5 turnovers. His 6 rebounds a game are solid, but this is the role he was signed for, so hopefully this improves over the season. The American averaged 11 pts and 7 rebs last year for the Sydney Kings, so we know he can compete in this league. For the most part, Lazare has filled the role of Dillon Boucher, mostly at power forward behind Mika Vukona.