Receiving a presentation for his 201st National Basketball League games in front of his home crowd was a proud moment for Airs captain Aaron Bailey-Nowell. He walked on court to a huge cheer from the crowd holding hands with his two gorgeous children.
His strong physical play and focused determination was evident from the first to last whistle. He stepped up under enormous pressure with 2.6 seconds on the clock, score tied at 69 – 69 and slotted two free-throws like he was at home in his backyard. The crowd went into a frenzy and spent the remainder of the game on their feet with the game finishing 71 – 69 with the Airs taking their first win.
With the lead changing 11 times, MountainAirs biggest lead 8 points and the Pistons leading by 9 combined with the score being tied eight times, fans’ senses went into overload.
Import Suleiman Braimoh had a fantastic game scoring 29 points and claiming 16 rebounds. Captain Aaron Bailey-Nowells netted 8 from 12 frees with the ball refusing to sink for most of his other shots at the hoop, finishing on 12 points.
A surprise 11 minute court appearance by Airs’ Assistant coach Willie Banks settled the team.
“It’s good to know I still have the legs to do that and help the team,” he said.
Airs’ Coach Daryn Shaw said Willie brings calmness with him. “That was the point of bringing him out. When he’s out there he also brings a bit more confidence and experience.”
“Because we are a team everyone’s expected to beat we want the pressure to be on the other team when it’s close, because they know they should be beating us. This is something we want to continue building on. This wasn’t a fluke. We prepare to win, we want to win.”
The Airs’ defence was confronting, pulling fouls and sending bodies sprawling.
Coach Daryn Shaw said defence work had contributed massively to the final score.
“I’m really proud of Adrian Oliver our import he played phenomenal defence,” he said.
Super shooting from Pistons’ Corin Henry gained him 24 points and 4 rebounds but the pressure was too much when they crucially needed a 3 pointer to win the game it bounced off the rim.
Pistons’ captain Casey Frank made his presence known with 12 points and 7 rebounds. Akeem Wright also let the Airs know he meant business with 13 points, 8 rebounds and an aggressive slam dunk, in a very physical game.
The final word of the night goes to Coach Daryn Shaw.
“I’m really pleased that we won. We prepared to win. What I told the boys was ‘this should be a normal feeling that we have to get used to’. Our team culture is that we always stick together, play hard, and play together.”
Good Home Taranaki MountainAirs 71 – Suleiman Braimoh 29, Aaron Bailey-Nowell 12, Adrian Oliver 12, Brad Anderson 8.
Waikato Pistons 69 – Corin Henry 24, Akeem Wright 13, Casey Frank 12.
This was published on NZ Hoops 26 April 2014