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The Zuardian
Southland Sharks big man Alex Pledger, left, was hard for the Manawatū Jets to stop. Here he goes over Jets forward Shane Temara.
The Southland Sharks will be hard to beat for the rest of the season if they keep this up.
The Sharks flogged the woeful Manawatū Jets 122-79 at the Arena in Palmerston North on Thursday night, dominating on attack and defence in the 43-point win.
In the other NBL match on the night, the Canterbury Rams were too strong for the Nelson Giants, winning 97-74
The defending champion Sharks confirmed their place in the finals with the win and shouldn't be counted out considering the way they pummelled the under-strength Jets.
The Jets have played above their weight against the Sharks in the past two seasons, including a win in round four this year, but on Thursday that luck ran out.
Key Manawatū forward Kuran Iverson has returned to the United States and the Jets really missed him.
Southland's smothering defence shut down Manawatu's other two imports, Wally Ellenson and Daishon Knight, and there was little else from the rest of the team.
The zuardian
Manawatū Jets guard Daishon Knight brings the ball down court against the Southland Sharks.
With Knight and Ellenson under pressure from Southland, the rest of the Jets' lineup needed to shoulder the load, but they didn't offer much in the first quarter.
Southland were doing it easy at the other end and led 25-13 at quartertime. They led by 20 mid way through the second stanza.
Few shots were falling the Jets' way and they scored just four points in seven minutes of the second quarter.
Southland had a massive 37-14 second quarter to lead 62-27.
Young Jets forward Taane Samuel was one of their best and stood tall against giant Tall Black Alex Pledger.
Jackson Stubbins hit consecutive threes during the third quarter as the Jets attempted a fight back of sorts, but they were in too big a hole.
Both sides scored 25 points in the third quarter, but still the Jets trailed by 35 with a quarter to go.
Sharks guard Todd Blanchfield had 25 points after three quarters and was a major threat.
The Sharks continued in the fourth quarter and led by a whopping 50 points mid way through the quarter.
The Sharks had scoring options everywhere, with eight players scoring in double figures. They let the throttle off in the fourth quarter, but the job was well and truly done by that stage.
Tai Wynyard had a strong second half for the Sharks, finishing with 19 points, and Hyrum Harris was impressive with 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Pledger scored 16 points.
Five players scored in double figures for the Jets – a rarity – with Shane Temara top scoring with 19. Ellenson scored 13 points, while Samuel, Knight and Stubbins all had 12.
CHRIS SYMES/PHOTOSPORT
Emmett Naar has the ball for the Rams against the Giants in Nelson on Thursday.
In Nelson, the Giants did what they have done too many time this season - compete hard for the best part of three quarters only to see the opposition skip away and grab the win. This time the Rams got the job done with a 27-12 last quarter.
Once again without star import defender Isaiah Wilkins, who was sidelined with shoulder injury, the Rams led for most of the game, the Giants constantly making a run at their more fancied opponents, but never quite able to skip past them.
Mike Karena led the way with 19 points in another deep team effort by the Rams, while for the Giants it was Rhys Vague (21) and Jordan Jett (19) carrying the load.
Southland Sharks 122 (Todd Blanchfield 25, Tai Wynyard 19, Alex Pledger 16, Brandon Lucas 13, Emmanuel Matambanadzo 13, Thomas Vodanovich 12, Dominique Kelman-Poto 12, Hyrum Harris 10) Manawatū Jets 79 (Shane Temara 19, Wally Ellenson 13, Daishon Knight 12, Jackson Stubbins 12, Taane Samuel 12) Q1: 25-13, HT: 62-27, Q3: 87-52.
Canterbury Rams 97 (Michael Karena 19, Cameron Gliddon 16, Emmett Naar 14, Luke Aston 13, Jonathan Janssen 10), Nelson Giants 74 (Rhys Vague 21, Jordair Jett 19, Daniel Grida 14). Q1: 21-18, HT: 48-38, Q3: 70-62.
