Club-By-Club: Hooyah & Harden Up (Round 10, NBL25)

Author disclaimer: To all the players, coaches and administrators, the following opinions are mine and mine alone. It’s ALWAYS business – and NEVER personal. So, if I name you, shame you, offend you or slap you on the back and put your name up in lights, just accept it for what it is and move on.

By Damon Lowery.

Defeated by Tasmania 

HOOYAH – This is the essence of a “HOOYAH!”: Keanu Rasmussen, you had only played 7 minutes total in your career. Then you step up and play 23 minutes against Tasmania and produce 9 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and NO turnovers. My man!

HARDEN UP – Without MVP contender Montrezl Harrell, you stepped into the starting lineup but at halftime you had 0 points and finished with a mere 7 and 4 rebounds in 19 minutes. We know what you can do, Jarell Martin – now is the time to show us.

Defeated by Perth

HOOYAH – Against Perth, you showed us you haven’t forgotten how to score with a season-high 31 points to go with 7 boards. Way to go, Casey Prather.

HARDEN UP – Sometimes is not that you lose a game, it’s how you lose it. You guys just laid down against Perth. Down only 7 at the end of the 1st, you end up down 32 going into the 4th?! A vicious response is now expected.

Defeated by Sydney

HOOYAH – Taran Armstrong, you showcased your full offensive arsenal against Sydney, piling on 28 points in a variety of ways. You just keep getting better and better with every game.

HARDEN UP – Deshon Taylor, I know you haven’t been on the team long, but you’ve played in this League before. As an import injury replacement, going 0/4 with zero points will get you a “Harden Up” every time.

Defeated New Zealand, defeated by South East Melbourne

HOOYAH – FYI: Lachlan Olbrich has only been on Earth for 20 years. You scored 21 points and it only took 13 minutes to do it despite coming up against the biggest body the NBL has ever seen in Tacko Fall.

HARDEN UP – Big double-digit scoring games are not always needed in this high-octane team BUT Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, the Hawks need more out of you than 1 point, 2 turnovers and 4 fouls in 22 minutes.

Defeated Sydney

HOOYAH – Chris Goulding – you are on a historical heater! Fresh off hitting 19 triples for the Boomers, you continued your hot streak against Sydney with 28 points and another 6 triples. Let’s hope that calf injury is only minor because I am loving this show.

HARDEN UP – Matthew Dellavedova, you had a dirty shooting night. 0/6 from the field with your 2 points coming from the foul line. The 9 assists were great though.

Defeated by Illawarra and Perth

HOOYAH – Thrust into action due to injuries, Development Player Carlin ‘Bounce’ Davison came in and added 6 points, 3 steals, 2 assists, and 1 block in 17 minutes against the Hawks - I loved it, my man.

HARDEN UP – Matt Mooney, now you know how it feels to play a game of basketball wearing a straitjacket. Against the Hawks, you went into halftime with just 1 point and finished with only 8 points on 2/6 FG with 3 turnovers.

Defeated Brisbane and New Zealand

HOOYAH – BREATHTAKING! BRILLIANT! BOSSY! BEAUTIFUL! BIG-TIME!

Bryce Cotton with 59 points. History was made in the modern 40-minute era. Thank you Bryce, HOOYAH!!!

HARDEN UP – Nothing to see here, have a nice day!

Defeated Illawarra

HOOYAH – It was the best game of your 58-game career. 22 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and NO turnovers in 28 minutes. Welcome to the Lil Big Man’s Society, Owen Foxwell!

HARDEN UP – Inserted back into the starting lineup but you delivered NO points in 8 minutes, Derrick Walton Jr. Coach Josh ‘The Night’ King gave you 32 bench minutes. #regroup

Defeated Cairns, defeated by Melbourne

HOOYAH – I’m trying to tell ya, Cam Oliver will deliver if he’s on the court for a significant amount of time - just ask Cairns! ‘Space Cam’ dropped 26 points at 62% plus 9 boards in only 29 minutes. PLAY THE MAN!

HARDEN UP – For all of your brilliance late in the 4th to bring the Kings back into it against United, the last 32 seconds is where you get this “Harden Up” Jaylen Adams. You casually stroll up the floor and get an 8-second backcourt violation? That’s UNACCEPTABLE! Then, you committed an unnecessary foul with 13 seconds left to send Shea Ili to the line to win the game - and you fouled out on the play. UNBELIEVABLE!

Defeated Adelaide

HOOYAH – Dominant in your 28 minutes, you refused to miss a shot going 7/7 to finish with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks. That’s the way to play Will Magnay.

HARDEN UP – Majok Deng, I honestly believe you can’t be guarded. You decided to show that late in the game, but why are you waiting so long? 9 points on 3/6 field goals is well beneath your talent.

HOOYAH – I love Heritage Round. The throwback jerseys and the cameras showing the great players from back in the day warms the heart.

HARDEN UP – To the referee that called Will Magnay’s unbelievable block on Jarell Martin a foul - what in the seven Hells were you thinking? You know Will is an incredible shot blocker, right? You had a terrible angle on the call and Will not only blocked it clean but managed to come down with the ball. It was the best block anybody can remember seeing and you ruined it – damn!