Manawatu Jets

Manawatu Jets
League National Basketball League
History Palmerston North
1982–1991
Palmerston North Jets
1992–2001
Manawatu Jets
2002–2015
Arena Arena Manawatu
(Capacity: 5,000)
Location Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand
Team colours Green, White, Black
Main sponsor Breakers Cafe Bar
President Richard Hansen
Championships 0
Uniforms
Home
Away

The Manawatu Jets were a professional basketball team that played in the New Zealand National Basketball League. They played their home games at Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North, New Zealand.

The club debuted in the National Basketball League in the competition's inaugural season in 1982, but after finishing last, they were demoted to the Conference Basketball League (CBL). They spent the next two years in the CBL, and after finishing as runners-up in 1984, they were readmitted to the NBL in 1985. However, they were demoted to the CBL again for the 1988 season after finishing last in 1987, but after winning the CBL championship in 1988, the Jets were back in the NBL again for the 1989 season.[1] The 1989 season marked the club's best regular season in their history, finishing the year as minor premiers; they were subsequently defeated in the semi-finals by the fourth-seeded Canterbury Rams[2] and finished with an overall win/loss record of 15–4. In 1992, the Jets made it to their first and so far only grand final, where they were defeated 79–71 by the Rams.[2] After 20 seasons known as Palmerston North, the club changed their name to Manawatu for the 2002 season, so as to reflect the wider Manawatu-Wanganui region.[3] In November 2015, the Jets pulled out of the 2016 season. The decision was made by the Jets' board after a review of the organisation came to the conclusion that their current structure was not working.[4][5]

2015 roster

Manawatu Jets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Ht.
SG 5 United States Harris, Dion (I) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
PG 7 New Zealand Fee, Nick 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
PG 8 New Zealand Raukawa, Derone 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
PG 9 New Zealand Ruscoe, Brook 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
10 New Zealand Snaith, Baylee (DP)
PG 11 United States Jenkins, Brandon (I) 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
C 12 Australia Hunter, James 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
G/F 15 New Zealand Nicklin, Zeb 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
F 20 New Zealand Ngatai, Jordan 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
F/C 25 New Zealand Trueman, Jeremiah (C) 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in)
31 New Zealand McRae, Callum (DP)
SF 33 New Zealand Adams, Sid 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
SF New Zealand Lavey, Bridge 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
New Zealand Walker, Haize (DP)
Head coach
  • Vacant
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • Injured

Home ground

The Jets' home stadium is Arena 2, Arena Manawatu, minutes away from the Palmerston North Central Business District. Arena 2 offers first class facilities to spectators, the teams and to the sponsors.[6]

History

2013 season

The 2013 season started with a lot of hope as the roster that previous coach Ryan Weisenberg had pulled together was put in the hands of Mike Kalavros, a Greek coach who inherited the squad weeks before the season's start.[7] Despite holding New Zealand citizenship, Marcel Jones played as the Jets' second import in 2013 alongside Chris Hagan, because of a newly placed league rule where teams can only field one naturalised New Zealand player. Captain Nick Horvath already filled that spot.[8]

Ultimately, the season was a disappointment as the Jets finished fifth and missed the playoffs. A positive came, however, with Horvath being named to the All-Star five.[9] Kalavros departed the Jets prior to the season's conclusion, as assistant coach Darron Larsen took over as head coach for the final games of the season.[10]

2014 season

The Jets started the 2014 season with a new head coach, Darron Larsen, who was returning for his second stint as head coach after having led the team from 2005 to 2007.[11] A notable player acquisition came in former Hawke's Bay guard Alonzo Burton, the son of Jets' rebounding legend, Willie Burton.[12] Early season results did not fall the Jets way, with the injury to centre Nick Horvath proving costly.[13] The team ultimately finished one game short of the playoffs, finishing the season in fifth place with a nine win, nine loss record. The season also marked the final year for veteran guard Kaine Hokianga, who finished his career with 236 NBL games over 14 years, 11 of them with the Jets.[14]

2015 season

The 2015 season started with the announcement of head coach Darron Larsen signing on for another season,[15] providing some stability to the leadership and style of play for the franchise. Player announcements began in early 2015, with powerful big man Nick Horvath the first to commit to the team. Horvath, one of the premier centres to ever play in New Zealand, despite some well publicised injury concerns, remained a force to be reckoned with in the league.[16] Experienced point guard Brandon Jenkins signed on for a second season,[17] while Jets stalwart and former Tall Black Jeremiah Trueman recommitted days later.[18] In the wake of Trueman re-signing, youngster Derone Raukawa was also confirmed as returning.[19] Next came the signings of new youngsters in New Zealand Breakers development player Jordan Ngatai, former Mountainair Sid Adams, former Cairns Taipans development player Brook Ruscoe, and American-born college player Bridge Lavey.[20]

Due to injury and lacklustre play, Horvath was replaced in May 2015 with Australian centre James Hunter, a naturalised Kiwi just like Horvath.[21]

In November 2015, the Jets pulled out of the 2016 season due to a fledgeling club structure, with the goal being to return in 2017 in better condition.[4]

References

External links

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