Off-season Games Wrap: Cameron heroics not enough for Airs

Flynn Cameron has put together a huge performance in double overtime NZNBL Semi-Final showdown against the Canterbury Rams.

Missing fellow NBL star Sam Froling as he participates in NBA Summer League, Cameron had to shoulder much of the load for Taranaki, who battled valiantly against the defending champion Rams on the road.

Trailing by 11 points with 2 minutes remaining, Cameron went nuclear, splashing three triples, including a buzzer-beating shot, to send the game into overtime.

After a second deadlocked extra period, the Airs ultimately fell short after a last-second shot from Lachlan Olbrich secured the 1-point win for the Rams. This brings an end to Cameron’s campaign in the NZNBL.

Moving to the NBL1 South Finals, Akech Aliir found himself in an intense matchup with a quartet of new United teammates.

Playing for Mt Gambier, Aliir hosted Shea Ili, Tanner Krebs, Campbell Blogg and Tom Koppens of the Sandringham Sabres in a defence-focussed qualifying final.

Despite the home court advantage, Aliir’s Pioneers only led for less than three minutes of action after the Sabres took control of the game in the second period.

Ili led the way for Sandringham, scoring 22 points, while Campbell Blogg produced 12 points and three steals off the bench.

The win sends the Sabres straight into a Preliminary-Final matchup with either Ballarat or Dandenong, while Mt Gambier will now face off against the Eltham Wildcats on Saturday evening in a do-or-die Semi-Final.

Kyle Bowen and the Knox Raiders found less success in their Elimination Final against Dandenong, going down on the road by seven points.

Bowen put together a strong showing, scoring 20 points and knocking down all three of his three-point looks, however in the end it wasn’t enough to keep the defending conference champions alive.

RESULTS 

Saturday

Sandringham Sabres 75 def Mt Gambier Pioneers 59

Shea Ili - 22 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals

Tanner Krebs - 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists

Campbell Blogg - 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals

Tom Koppens - 2 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals

Akech Aliir - 19 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block.

Knox Raiders 91 def by Dandenong Rangers 98

Kyle Bowen - 20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks

Sunday

Taranaki Airs 111 def by Canterbury Rams 112 2OT

Flynn Cameron - 25 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals

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