In a game that promised plenty in the lead up, it was only the home side that delivered in a season best performance as the Heat shut down the Saints at both ends of court – and that was despite missing key forward Dillon Boucher, away at the ANBL awards evening.

Judd Flavell spread the defensive workload in Boucher’s absence, with Reece Cassidy, BJ Anthony and Daryl Cartwright all answering the call, as did young Morgan Nathan with an energetic performance from the bench.

The first quarter was high scoring with the Heat edging it 30-27 but by halftime the Saints were behind by 14 and battling just to stay close. Corey Webster and Kavossy Franklin were running the offence and Rick Rickert was bossing the paint. The Heat centre had a double double by halftime and ended with an impressive 22 points and 22 boards as he dominated Nick Horvath in the battle of the big men.

Scoring for the Heat was spread evenly with Corey Webster leading the way with a game high 25, well supported by Franklin, Rickert and BJ Anthony, all with 22 points while Daryl Cartwright chimed in with 11, including as sweet a three pointer as you’ll see all season.

Heat Head Coach Judd Flavell was impressed with the all round contribution from his team.

“In a funny way I think Dillon’s absence made a few guys step up and play as well as they did. He is the sort of guy that you can’t cover with one player, it needs 2 or 3 to work that much harder and I thought in Reece Cassidy, DC, BJ and Morgan Nathan you saw that tonight.

“But this was about as good as I can expect at this early stage of the season, we were taking good options on offence and the work rate at the defensive end of the court was as it should be. There is still work to do but as far as tonight is concerned, I couldn’t be happier with the commitment of the guys.”

Best for a well beaten Saints side was import Daryl Hudson with 19 points while Leon Henry’s outside shooting (3/4) at least kept the score from a complete blowout.

But too often it seemed the Saints weren’t on the same play book, let alone the same play with Head Coach Pero Cameron at times frustrated courtside as his team failed to match the intensity of the Heat in front of the biggest crowd of the season at the NSEC.

Next up for the Heat is the visit of the Manawatu Jets on Friday 26^th March, but not at the NSEC. The game will be played at AUT on the North Shore, tip off 7pm next Friday.

Harbour Heat 115

C Webster 25 points, 6 assists, 6 steals; Rick Rickert 22 points, 22 rebounds; Kavossy Franklin 22 points; BJ Anthony 22 points

Exodus Wellington Saints 95

Daryl Hudson 19 points; Leon Henry 16 points; Erron Maxey 16 points; Nick Horvath 16 points

Box Score, visit www.basketball.org.nz

Next home game

Bartercard National Basketball League

Harbour Heat v Manawatu Jets

Friday 26^th March

AUT (North Shore)

7pm tip off