Basketball: Breakers' season off to great start

basketball--nz-breakers-to-meet-cairns-in-basketba-1.jpg
basketball--nz-breakers-to-meet-cairns-in-basketba-1.jpg
The seeds for the Breakers' big opening-night win were planted during an offseason that transformed the club from also-rans to title contenders.

It's only one game -- and it's a long season -- but the Breakers' new recruits appear to provide a different complexion to the deposed three-time ANBL kings.

Perth seized that throne last season and spent the early part of the Friday evening enjoying their spoils, unveiling their championship banner in front of more than 13,000 fans. The Breakers then set about silencing that crowd, led by a trio of players who were fortunate enough to miss last year's 11-17 season.

There was no surprise in finding Cedric Jackson at the forefront of that charge. Jackson has returned to the Breakers with great responsibility on his shoulders but, based on the available evidence, he appears capable of exceeding every expectation.

The point guard had a hand in everything positive the Breakers put together in the opening half, grabbing 14 points on four-of-six shooting and helping his side to a scarcely-believable 23-point lead at the major break. And when the Wildcats produced their inevitable fightback, reducing the deficit to five in the final minutes, it was Jackson who made a number of key plays to keep the visitors in front.

"Last time he was with the club I was watching from afar and I just really appreciated the things he could do on the basketball court," said assistant coach Paul Henare. "But to see it first hand, in such a big game, there's a reason why he's a crowd favourite and really feared by other teams.

"He's an exceptional athlete and a hell of a competitor. He was up for this game -- you could tell on Monday in training this week that he was up for a big game and up for a big challenge. And he delivered."

By the end of a hugely-encouraging night, Jackson had five assists, five rebounds and led all scorers with 22 points, finding his range in making three-of-five from beyond the arc.

"A guy like Cedric stands out it in so many different ways," Henare said. "He gets rebounds, he gets steals, he gets assists and he scores. When he's knocking down his three-ball he's near impossible to guard.

"I think he automatically comes with a reputation. He's a proven winner and a proven performer in this competition. He was huge for us but by no means was it a one-man show."

Henare is certainly correct on that count. Joining Jackson in excelling in the Breakers back-court was Rhys Carter, another new addition and another of the key contributors to the victory. Carter includes Perth among his 10 clubs in a 12-year career and, the way he attacked the Wildcats in his first shift on the court, it looked like he had a point to prove.

The 30-year-old made three of his first four attempts from deep before finishing with 14 points off the bench, but Carter's scoring was only one facet that Henare highlighted.

"We had a pretty good start but, once he came into the game, he opened it up with some great decision-making. Yes, he made some shots, but the seven assists he had over the course of the game were real key plays."

Rounding out the trio of influential recruits -- and rounding out Breakers' top three scorers -- was Nigerian centre Ekene Ibekwe. The Breakers targeted size, speed and athleticism in their search for imports and in Ibekwe they have found the complete package.

The big man and his 2.29m wingspan was a constant menace under the hoop at both ends of the floor, collecting 10 points and seven rebounds in his impressive debut.

"Ekene showed why Deano recruited him," Henare said. "Deano's done a fantastic job over the off-season. I think you saw the product of that last night and we're only going to get better."

By Kris Shannon of APNZ

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