AK gets court time in HoopNation

Whanganui's own Akira (AK) Marsters (former WHS student) got some court time for the HoopNation New Zealand Selection against Malaysia on Tuesday night.

A slow start cost Malaysia as they went down to a HoopNation New Zealand Selection in Whanganui on Tuesday night.

But the visitors steadily improved throughout the game and edged the second half on the way to a 93-76 loss at Springvale Stadium.

It was the third game of Malaysia's six-match North Island tour and first of three matches against the HoopNation Selection.

In front of a near full stadium, the HoopNation Selection, made up of ex-Tall Blacks and NBL regulars, shot out an early lead with an initial 13-point run which the visitor's were never able to haul back.

The New Zealanders were too strong in the key with Malaysia - ranked 67th in the world - regularly muscled off the ball while prone to giving away free throws at the other end.

The Malaysian coach swapped out his whole on-court team midway through the first quarter which ended 28-13 to the New Zealanders.

However following the quarter break Malaysia, came out much more aggressively, found their range and earned parity on the court.

With the scores 50-32 at halftime, Malaysia went on to win the second half 44-43 but that first quarter deficit proved decisive.

Everard Bartlett (22), Ana Huku (17) and Kareem Johnson (12) were the top scorers for the HoopNation Selection.

For Malaysia standout Perry Lim shot 16 points followed by Kuek Tian Yuan (10) and Li Wei Chee (9).

The tour is jointly run by basketball promoter HoopNation and the Malaysian Basketball Association.

Malaysia won their first two games against under-23 sides in Auckland.

They played the HoopNation Selection again in Hawera on Wednesday night before heading to New Plymouth to play the Taranaki Mountainairs on Thursday.

The third HoopNation New Zealand Selection match and final game on the tour is in Tauranga on Saturday.

By Zaryd Wilson
Wanganui Chronicle 27/7/17