Sharks fall short against undermanned Jets
Despite Corey Webster and Kenny Goins’ absence Manawatu still had a trump card up its sleeve in one of New Zealand basketball’s hottest young talents.
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The Southland Sharks missed a golden opportunity in their first home outing of the 2025 Sal’s NBL season on Saturday night.
After large back-to-back losses to the Canterbury Rams and Wellington Saints the Sharks had the opportunity to right the wrongs against the Manawatu Jets in the home comforts of ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill.
To boost Southland’s chances the Jets were missing its offensive linchpin Corey Webster who missed the game for what was described as personal reasons.
In another blow to the Jets one of its imports, Kenny Goins, left the court with a knee injury after playing just 5.58mins and he never returned.
But despite Webster and Goins’ absence Manawatu still had a trump card up its sleeve in one of New Zealand basketball’s hottest young talents as they went about banking an 88-85 win.
Twenty-year-old Dontae Russo-Nance lit up ILT Stadium Southland with a 35-point haul that burst the hopes of the Sharks faithful.
The Sharks remained in touch throughout the game with the lead changing multiple times before the Jets got the job done in a tight one.
American import Josiah Allick was the Sharks’ best with his 29-point haul and 12 rebounds. Allick played all 40 minutes highlighting his value to the Southland setup.
The Sharks now eye Auckland Tuatara on Friday night then the Indian Panthers on Sunday.
THE LOWDOWN
Manawatū Jets 88: Dontae Russo-Nance (35 pts, 5 reb), Miles Gibson (24 pts, 8 reb), Southland Sharks 85: Josiah Allick (29 pts, 12 reb), Alonzo Burton (20 points, 5 reb). Sal’s NBL Boxscore
MVP Votes: Dontae Russo-Nance (Manawatu) 9 votes; Josiah Allick (Southland) 8 votes; Miles Gibson (Manawatu) 6 votes; Caleb Asberry (Southland) 3 votes, Eric Williams (Manawatu) 2 votes, Alonzo Burton (Southland) 2 votes.
Sky Broadband Rapid League game:
Manawatū Jets 42: Tyson Thata (25 pts, 2 ast), Tinashe Matambanadzo (7 pts, 4 reb), Southland Sharks 26: Dane Bertinshaw (10 pts, 2 reb), Quake Webster (8 pts, 3 ast). Sky Broadband Rapid League Boxscore
MVP Votes: Tyson Thata (Manawatu) 10 votes; Dane Bertinshaw (Southland) 7 votes, Tinashe Matambanadzo (Manawatu) 6 votes, Josh Crowley (Manawatu) 5 votes, Quake Webster (Southland) 2 votes.