Optimism despite two losses

Jack Andrew for the Otago Nuggets looks for the hoop as Southland Sharks player Dru-Leo Leusogi...
Jack Andrew for the Otago Nuggets looks for the hoop as Southland Sharks player Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape looks on. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
The Southland Sharks notched a couple of pre-season wins against the Otago Nuggets at the Edgar Centre at the weekend.

However, Nuggets coach Brent Matehaere was satisfied with how his under-strength side performed.

The home side was missing all three imports, star centre Sam Timmins was also unavailable and swingman Josh Aitcheson was forced into isolation with a bout of Covid-19.

Timmins will definitely be available for the Nuggets’ season-opener against the Giants in Nelson on Thursday, while Aitcheson will be out of isolation by then and, if he is fit, will make the trip north.

The Nuggets matched up well against the Sharks despite the lean line-up on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors started strongly, amassing 13 unanswered points. But the Nuggets rallied before eventually losing 101-94.

A few more players were unavailable for yesterday’s match and the Sharks won 90-66.

But Saturday’s effort was heartening. Combination guard Nikau McCullough dropped in 39 points.

"Obviously it is still early stages, but really impressed with the guys to get some stops in that first half and execute some offence," Matehaere said.

"That was really promising, but there was a bit of a lapse in the third quarter where they got a lot of threes and we just didn’t have enough ball.

"But it was really impressive from the guys to step up and challenge a team that is not too far away from full strength."

Matehaere said McCullough helped keep his side in touch with some wonderful shooting, and centre Jack Andrew played well against towering 2.18m opponent Romaro Gill.

"He got about three dunks and that is no mean feat when Romaro Gill is out there on the floor."


 

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