Sharks in need of significant Sunday statement
The Sharks have started their 2025 Sal’s NBL campaign with a one win-four loss record, which has included four straight losses.
A Southland Sharks team in need of a confidence-boosting victory will get the ideal opportunity to do just that in Auckland on Sunday.
The Sharks have started their 2025 Sal’s NBL campaign with a one win-four loss record, which has included four straight losses.
Although its most recent loss against the Auckland Tuatara on Friday night was a much-improved showing.
Southland was beaten 102-92 at ILT Stadium Southland despite some better signs on both offence and in defence.
The problem for the Sharks is they came up against an Auckland team that has just had Will “Davo” Hickey added to it.
Hickey has just come off a starring role for the Illawarra Hawks on their way to an Australian NBL title.
And even after coming off his lengthy celebration Hickey was quick to show his class during his trip to Invercargill when he dropped 29 points, most of them coming in the first half.
To add to that, he finished with 11 rebounds and 11 assists in his 33 minutes on the ILT Stadium Southland court.
If that wasn’t enough, the Tuatara also had the return of Rob Loe to bolster them after he rejoined the Auckland team following his time with the Melbourne United team that was beaten in the ANBL finals series.
The good news for the Southland Sharks is they on Sunday will face an Indian Panthers that does not have the quality of a Hickey or Loe to contend with.
The Panthers haven’t won a game to date in their five-game history. That Southland Sharks-Indian Panthers showdown is scheduled to tip-off at 6.30pm on Sunday.
In a grueling schedule handed down by the NBL league officials, after playing on Friday night against the Tuatara in Invercargill the Sharks fly to Auckland on Saturday for Sunday’s game.
They then return to Invercargill on Monday to get ready for a Thursday night showdown against the Wellington Saints.
Southland Sharks v Auckland Tuatara wrap
(Sal’s NBL)
Auckland Tuatara 102: William Hickey (29 pts, 11 reb, 11 ast), Charles Pride (19 pts, 13 reb, 6 stl), Southland Sharks 92: Keylan Boone (35 pts, 8 reb, 3 stl), Caleb Asberry (16 pts, 6 reb, 6 stl).
MVP Votes: William Hickey (Auckland) - 9 votes, Keylan Boone (Southland) - 9 votes, Josiah Allick (Southland) - 4 votes, Charles Pride (Auckland) - 2 votes, Robert Loe (Auckland) - 3 votes, Thomas Vodanovich (Auckland) - 2 votes, Caleb Asberry (Southland) - 1 vote.
(Sky Broadband Rapid League game)
Result: Result: Southland Sharks (43) defeated the Jadcup Auckland Tuatara (38)
Southland Sharks 43: Dane Bertinshaw (11 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast), Tukaha Cooper (11 pts, 2 reb, 1ast), Auckland Tuatara 38: Nick Barrow (12 pts, 5 reb), Joshua Wylie (10 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast).
MVP Votes: Dane Bertinshaw (Southland) - 10 votes, Nicholas Barrow (Auckland) - 8 votes, Tukaha Cooper (Southland) - 6 votes, Joshua Wylie (Auckland) - 4 votes, Hayden Collier (Southland) - 2 votes.