Fast Break Report

Stat Line

Points   B.Conklin 33 (TVL), J.Pace 21 (TVL), G.Wilkinson 19 (NZB)

Rebounds   A.Pledger 12 (NZB), R.Hinder 9 (TVL), 2 with 8

Assists  M.Norton 4 (TVL), K.Johnson 4 (NZB), 2 with 3

Steals    J.Holmes 4 (TVL), several with 1

Blocks   B.Conklin 1 (TVL), T.Abercrombie 1(NZB)

How It Unfolded

A tough loss in Townsville for the Breakers. The Crocs came out strong, while the kiwis took too long to get into the game with early turnovers causing trouble and their opponents looking like they couldn’t miss. Townsville quickly blew out to a 17-6 lead. Their tactics were clear from the start: they looked to trap the Breakers with a high court pressing strategy, double teaming Kerron on the ball and keeping NZ from attacking with any pace or fluency. Forcing Kerron to pass the ball really limited his influence. Eventually the Crocs shooters cooled off some, and CJ Bruton showed some veteran impact as an alternative focal point for Breakers possessions with Kerron heavily marked. By halftime, the Crocs were holding on to a 47-37 lead.

After the break, though, things got kinda messy. This was a game with 50 total fouls and 32 turnovers. And some of them were very weird. From illegal screens to travelling to hooking fouls and 8 second violations. This one had ‘em all. It was the Breakers who paid the cost though, playing catchup the whole game. Daryl Corletto (15pts, 3ass) and Gary Wilkinson (19pts, 7reb) helped spark a few Breakers runs, and they got within four late in the final quarter, but when Steve Markovic buried a 3 for Townsville with 3 mins left, the resistance was crushed.

Townsville shot 50% from the field, and kept NZ to just 39%. It was a great defensive effort for the hosts, showing the benefits of finding a clever plan and seeing it through. Brian Conklin dominated the game for Townsville with 33 points from 15/20 shooting. Import Josh Pace chipped in with 19 pts & 8 reb. The Breakers struggled all game to adapt to the pressure that Townsville put on them with the ball. Mika Vukona had a stinker with 6 turnovers and eventually fouling out again. Alex Pledger had another double-double though (12pts, 12reb). The Breakers still sit second to last, still without a road win on their record this season.

Stocks Up

Gary Wilkinson. He’s not just a great player, he’s a great leader and clubhouse personality too. But he’s also a great player (not sure if I mentioned that…). Wilkinson has settled right back into the grooves of this team despite his year and a half absence. Already contributing, Wilkinson’s hustle is crucial, especially his clever defence in a team lacking in that area outside of Vukona. They only twice let teams score 90 points on them last season. It’s already happened 3 times this season.

Stocks Down

Kerron Johnson. We’ve seen how good this guy is, but we may have also seen how to stop him. When left to play his hand in peace, he is devastating, but with pressure in his face, and often two guys blocking his route to the basket, he had a lot of trouble. He didn’t help himself by running outside to try pass defenders, and getting trapped in the back corners of the half.

Play of the Game

Corey Webster tips the ball past an oncoming defending, runs around to retrieve it and hurls it to a running Daryl Corletto for the layup:

Match MVP Points

Gary Wilkinson 3

Alex Pledger 2

Daryl Corletto 1

Season MVP Standings

Kerron Johnson 12

Alex Pledger 9

Mika Vukona 9

Up Next

Friday, 7.30: NZ Breakers vs Adelaide 36ers, Vector Arena (NZT)