Breakers' preseason form continues in Japan
- Dave Worsley
- Sep 13
- 2 min read
The NZ Breakers have won another preseason game, this time against Nagasaki in Japan.
The Auckland-based Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) club were victorious 93-90 in what was a big physical challenge from home side Nagasaki Velca in front of a capacity and raucous Happiness Arena crowd.
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The Breakers went into the game with just nine players suited up, with Reuben Te Rangi (illness) not having boarded the plane to Japan, while Max Darling and Parker Jackson-Cartwright were not risked, with eyes on the ANBL season opener at Spark Arena next Friday.
In his first outing for the team, American centre Rob Baker II top-scored with 26 points and fellow big Sam Mennenga had 25, while Carlin Davison had 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
The home side were led by impressive American import Stanley Johnson (37 points) and former Breaker Jarrell Brantley (15 points, nine boards, four assists), while another former Breaker Akil Mitchell chipped in with six points and six rebounds.
Nagasaki’s strong Breakers links extended to the bench, with head coach Mody Maor and assistant Paul Henare both former Breakers coaches, and Henare a legend of the club with his number retired to the rafters at Atlas Place.
After bursting out to an impressive early lead, the Breakers withstood several runs from Nagasaki and won the game in the closing moments thanks to a clutch corner three from Izayah Le’afa, and some strong defence in the crucial final few possessions.
The Breakers are at it again, playing the Kumamoto Volters in the same venue on Saturday at 8pm NZT,
"We are progressing well having won the pre-season ANBL Blitz in Canberra against all other ANBL teams, but this is a chance to tune up ahead of the season proper." said head coach Petteri Koponen.
"The Japanese B.League is an incredibly competitive competition, and we know these games will be a real test for us. We continue to test our plays and combinations, but I am pleased with how the team is coming together as a unit."
"This is a fantastic opportunity for our team to get some quality game time against strong international competition," said Breakers presdent of basketball operations Dillon Boucher.
NZ Breakers 93 (Robert Baker II 26, Sam Mennenga 25, Carlin Davison 12) Nagasaki Velca 90 (Stanley Johnson 37, Jarrell Brantley 15)
