Big Wins Order of the Night - Week 4

Wide margins were the order of the day this week in the fourth round of Southland Basketball’s A Grade competition.

In the only Women’s game played on the night, Sparks moved to the top of a congested points table with a 70-48 victory over Razzmatazz. Four Sparks players scored in double digits in a balanced attack, led by Lucy Kean’s 19, Maggie Manson’s 15 and 14 from Morgan Hunter. Tyra Dunn topped the point-scoring for Razzmatazz with 12.

Sparks' victory and Eastern’s inability to field a team against Kelvin Hotel Rogues in the other scheduled game, means four of the five teams sit with two wins in what is looming as an even competition.

Meanwhile in the Men’s competition, Rip City made the biggest statement of the night, bouncing back from last week’s loss to dispatch The Turbos 88-55. Again, it was a win by committee with Ryan Gutsell (21), Jayson Collett (21), Quake Webster (20) and Tom Cowie (16) sharing the load offensively. Tevita Latu, Paratene McLeod (13 each) and Joel Fleck (12) led the beaten effort for The Turbos.

Kelvin Hotel Xmen came out hot in the first quarter against Invercargill Magic led by 14 first quarter points from John Auld to only trail the competition front-runners by a point after the first ten minutes. But Magic took control in the second quarter to increase that lead to 15 at halftime and ran away with the contest, eventually winning 102-68.

Connor Coll led all scorers for the week with 32 including a round-high six three-pointers and was ably assisted by Mac Stoddart (16), Jordan Murphy (13) and Anton Pahl (12). Isaac Riwhi top-scored for Xmen with 22, with Auld finishing with 17 and Tyler Hawke 12.

Northeast Ballers improved to 2-2 on the year with an 86-56 victory over MPMW Harleys Pango. Campbell Scott’s 26 paced the Ballers to a comfortable victory along with solid contributions from Mitchel Robinson (21), Ethan Mitchell (19) and Adam Bayer (15). Gemar Atenta again gave his all for Pango dropping 17 with Braden Cole adding 13.

Southland Boys High School banked the largest win of the evening with a 93-52 thumping of MPMW Harleys Whero. Cody Stevens had his way throughout the contest, finishing with a game-high 24 with Ryley MacRae and Mack Raines adding 14 a-piece. Matthew Andrews (16) and Jacob Taare (12) both notched double-figures for Whero.

POINT TABLES (After Week 4)

MEN'S STANDINGS (Points +/-)

Magic 4-0 (+154)

Rip City 3-1 (+113)

Xmen 3-1 (+56)

Northeast Ballers 2-2 (+34)

The Turbos 1-1 (+22)

SBHS 1-1 (+21)

Pango 1-3 (-167)

Brickies 0-2 (-109)

Whero (0-4 (-123)

WOMEN'S STANDINGS (Points +/-)

Sparks 2-1 (+37)

Rogues 2-1 (+5)

James Hargest 2-1 (+4)

Eastern Dev 2-2 (-12)

Razzmatazz 0-3 (-34)