The Otago Nuggets have claimed early bragging rights with a pre-season win against neighbour and national league newcomer Southland.
Experienced forward Matt Gillan led the way with a double-double, 16 points and 13 rebounds, as the Nuggets beat the Sharks 75-74 at the pre-season tournament in Christchurch on Saturday night.
The morale-boosting win followed earlier losses to the Christchurch Cougars (76-59) and the Nelson Giants (95-65).
Southland has entered the National Basketball League for the first time and the Nuggets are coming back after a one-year hiatus.
That - and geography - should ensure the two NBL clashes between the sides later this year are heated.
For now, it is the Nuggets who get to crow, though their coach is playing down the excitement.
"It's nice as a team to get that win," coach Alf Arlidge said.
"The guys are pretty happy. It was a good win and, hopefully, there's more to come.
"But I don't really believe there's any sort of psychological advantage there.
Southland aren't at full strength yet - neither are we - and Richard [Dickel] is finding his feet as a coach.
It's going to take him a lot longer than me to get used to the guys that he's got."
Arlidge said the Nuggets shot well against the Sharks and played excellent defence on the interior.
He was particularly impressed with the defensive job Gillan and Tom Rowe did against taller players.
The Nuggets provided one of the nice storylines of the weekend when they called on their bus driver to play against Southland.
Tim Couvret, who plays club basketball for the Andy Bay Falcons, stripped for the final game because the Nuggets had only nine fit players.
He came off the bench to land two key three-pointers.
"I might have to think seriously about keeping him in the squad now," Arlidge said, with a smile.
The Nuggets lost Matt Trueman for the weekend when he injured his ribs in the loss to the Cougars on Friday.
Captain Sam To'omata and Rowe also left the court, both with ankle sprains.
The Nuggets had been in the game at half-time but then faded.
Against Nelson, Arlidge said his side shot poorly and could not recover from a poor start.
Southland might be miffed at losing to Otago but the Sharks will be pleased with their efforts over the weekend.
They beat the Giants 70-65, with former North Otago Penguins guard Ian Cathcart contributing 16 points, and took the Cougars to overtime before losing 82-80.
Christchurch Cougars 76, Otago Nuggets 59 (James Ross 15, Matt Gillan 11, Luke Aston 10).
Nelson Giants 95, Otago Nuggets 65 (Luke Aston 11, Riki Buckrell 11, Josh Kitson 11).
Otago Nuggets 75 (Matt Gillan 16, Tom Rowe 9), Southland Sharks 74.
