AUS/NZL - Bumper crowds see in the NBL new year

GOLD COAST (NBL) - Fans keep flocking to the NBL in Australia and New Zealand as the league remains on track to record its highest average attendances in almost a decade.

With 11 games over the Christmas-new year period drawing an average of nearly 4500, the NBL appears to be recovering strongly from its near collapse less just 18 months ago, and with games drawing an average television audience of around 30,000, basketball is again spreading downunder.

On the court the action has been just as exciting, Australian Boomer Mark Worthington leading the way for the Gold Coast Blaze with some amazing form. In three games over the holiday break Wortho scored 31, 33 and 21 points and averaged 11 rebounds to shake off his early season struggles.

Unfortunately for the Blaze they dropped two of the three games to fall to 6-9 and the cusp of playoff extinction. Fellow Boomer Adam Gibson provided strong support, averaging 11ppg and 7apg across the three matches.

Kirk Penney has also been in vintage form this season as his New Zealand Breakers solidified top spot on the ladder with a win 90-85 over Adelaide on the road. Penney scored 25 points against the 36ers, bouncing back after being held to 12 points by veteran Peter Crawford as the Breakers fell 79-96 to Townsville on new year's eve.

Penney has had to play second fiddle to emerging import Gary Wilkinson recently however, as the 206cm Utah State University star's deadly perimeter shooting has overwhelmed opposition defences. Wilkinson scored 27 points on 12/16 shooting to go with 9 rebounds, after scoring 15 points against the Crocs. Wilkinson has averaged 19ppg and 5rpg in his last five games.

Other top performances of the round included:

- 24 points and 12 rebounds from improving centre Ian Crosswhite as his Cairns Taipans defeated Gold Coast 85-83 to move clear in second position

- 26 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals from Melbourne Tigers import Corey Williams as his team shocked the defending champion Wildcats in Perth 93-86

- 23 points including five three-pointers from Adelaide import Eddie Shannon as his 36ers defeated fourth placed Wollongong 98-83 at home

- 17ppg at 63% from the perimeter and 7rpg from young Perth small forward Stephen Weigh over three holiday season games

The other big story was the debut of former Sudanese refugee Ater Majok with the Perth Wildcats.

While still a developing player at both ends of the floor, the athletic 211cm impressed the crowds with 11 blocked shots across his first three games, including a spectacular play where he and Australian national team guard skied for a combined blocked shot on a Mark Worthington dunk attempt that secured victory for Perth.

Round 14 of the NBL sees the top four team match up, with New Zealand facing Cairns in Auckland for first place, and Wollongong travelling to Perth to face the Wildcats.

Paulo Kennedy
FIBA