With all but one of the Sal’s NBL Final 6 teams having at least one Harbour representative in their ranks there was every chance one of our former reps would be on the winning side.

That’s how it transpired as the Canterbury Rams prevailed with a gripping 93-82 victory over the Auckland Tuatara - the Rams breaking a 31-year title drought to claim the championship. 

Corey Webster was outstanding with a 25-point display, complemented by seven assists and four rebounds as he showcased his skills as a creator and shooter.

For the Auckland Tuatara it was a second successive Grand Final defeat meaning the Harbour quintet of Rob Loe (5 points and 11 rebounds), Charlie Dalton (9 points), Kruz Perrott-Hunt (7 points), Reuben Fitzgerald and Chris McIntosh had to settle for runners-up medals.

Earlier in the week Rob was been named Most Valuable Player for the 2023 season, leading the Tuatara to a league-best 13-5 regular season record.

The former Harbour centre posted averages of 20.8 PTS, 11.5 REB, 4.1 AST, 1.9 STL & 2.1 BLK on 57.8% shooting from the field and 41.4% from three in 17 games this season.

Rob was also named Defensive Player of the Year, anchoring a team defence that allowed the least points per game in the league. He also finished first in blocks, first in rebounding and fifth in steals.

Add in Most Outstanding Forward (Commissioners Cup), Most Outstanding NZ Forward (Stan Hill Trophy), and the All-Star Five to top off an incredible season for the 6-foot-10 Westlake Boys High alum.

The awards didn’t end there for the Tuatara and Harbour with Charlie Dalton named Most Improved Player for his stellar season. Charlie compiled averages of 9.6 PTS & 4.7 REB on 47.7% shooting from the floor, appearing in all 18 games for the Tuatara.

Recognition didn't finish there as Tuatara Head Coach Aaron Young was named Sal's NBL Coach of the Year.

Rob and Aaron were both National Championship winners with Harbour teams in the past with Charlie the captain of this years U19 National Championship winning team.

Special congratulations also to Callum Welch who not only refereed the Grand Final but was also named Sal’s NBL Referee of the Year. Callum began refereeing in our local competitions while at Westlake Boys and continued doing so while completing his degree at Auckland University. Callum now resides in Wellington but we won’t hold that against him!!

As the NBL concludes so the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa League ramps up. In Round 2 action Northern Kāhu had a win and a loss.

Bolstered by the arrival of Tall Fern Penina Davidson Kāhu led from start to finish as they defeated Mainland Pouākai 78-64 at Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre last Wednesday night. Penina posted a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds while Akiene-Tera Reed was again in fine form with 18 points.

Unfortunately Tera missed Sunday’s game against Tokomanawa Queens due to injury. Penina had another double-double (17 points and 11 rebounds) as Kāhu went down 67-62 at Trusts Arena.

Congratulations to Harbour’s Emme Shearer and Tayla Dalton who have been named in the four player 3x3 Tall Ferns squad for the upcoming FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series being held in Edmonton, Canada on 29-30 July.

Tayla headlines the group as she returns to the 3×3 Tall Ferns after competing in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup last year, while also helping the Tall Ferns to a fourth-place finish at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup last month. Emme, Dominique Stephens and Arielle Mackey-Williams will each be making their first appearance for the 3×3 Tall Ferns at this event.

All four of the Kiwi athletes are currently based at colleges in the United States. Tayla is at Saint Mary’s College in California, Emme at University of Portland in Oregon, Dominique at Rocky Mountain College in Montana and Arielle at Brigham Young University in Utah.