Club-By-Club: Hooyah & Harden Up (Round 20, 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 Perth

HOOYAH – Chalk up another ridiculous offensive outburst from Kendric Davis, 34 points and 8 assists. The League is way more exciting with you in it.

HARDEN UP – If your defence stays like this, your Finals adventure will be short lived. Just one example among many is allowing Perth to score 112 at 57% FG – it just won’t get it done.

Defeated by Cairns

HOOYAH – Keandre Cook served up one last tasty dish playing all but 20 seconds of the game. You delivered 28 points (including 5 triples), 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Hope to see you back in the kitchen next season.

HARDEN UP – There are ghosts haunting this team or the Brisbane Entertainment Centre was built on top of an ancient burial site. How else do we explain the bad run of injuries? That external review is gonna be interesting.

Defeated Brisbane and defeated by Tasmania

HOOYAH – We nearly went the whole season without a TRIPLE DOUBLE, until Taran Armstrong notched his career-first with 28/10/10. Just 23-years-old, your future is brighter than the most powerful neon light in Las Vegas.

HARDEN UP – A 8-21 record has earned you the dreaded wooden spoon. You’ve taken some big scalps and played an exciting brand from time to time, but a lot needs to be done in the community - namely securing some deep pocketed sponsors - to attract some top tier talent next season.

Defeated New Zealand and Sydney

DOUBLE HOOYAH ALERT:

HOOYAH – William ‘Davo’ Hickey does not like the Kings (his words). You stepped into the starting lineup with Trey Kell III sidelined and produced your best game: a near triple double with 12/8/8.

HOOYAH – Justin Tatum took over last season at 2-7. Your first game as coach was a win against the Breakers. You just took the Hawks back to NZ and won again to become the first Hawks’ team to finish the regular season on top.

HARDEN UP – To the guy at WIN television in Wollongong who called me for an interview and asked to meet at the stadium. FYI, I haven’t lived in the “Gong” in 21 years!

Defeated South East Melbourne

HOOYAH – Kyle Bowen finished the season with another strong performance. Playing a season-high 31 minutes, you went for 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.

HARDEN UP – It’s the old “more fouls than points” thing. Marcus Lee, 5 fouls and 4 points - leave that foolishness behind now and step it up in the Finals.

Defeated by Illawarra

DOUBLE HOOYAH ALERT:

HOOYAH – Coach Petteri Koponen for true leadership. Matt Mooney threw a tantrum on the bench, arguing with you and his teammates. You held him to account and didn’t bring him back from the locker room after halftime. You rightly said, “Nobody is bigger than the team” and “It’s my job to protect the team”. Massive HOOYAH!

HOOYAH – After 164 games, congratulations on your retirement, Dane Pineau. You had a distinguished 4-year college career at St. Mary’s, led the NBL in FG% in 2020 and were part of the Phoenix’s first season where you led the team in rebounding, and were runner-up in the Most Improved Player award. You battled some difficult back issues that limited you to one game in 2021 but fought back to play another four seasons. You played the right way, with unselfishness and 100% heart and determination. Coach Petteri Koponen said you were the best teammate anyone could wish to have. That’s the highest compliment. Big-time HOOYAH!

HARDEN UP – Matt Mooney - I would like to remember your season for the 16 points and 4 assists you averaged. But due to your disrespectful outburst on the bench at your coach and teammates, I’ll now have a different memory. I’ve never ever seen a player so out of control that his coach wouldn’t let him be with the team after halftime. Do way better.

Defeated Adelaide

HOOYAH – Bryce Cotton - you gave us another 49 reasons (points) why you are the clear-cut MVP. #GREATNESS

HARDEN UP – Perth, RAC Arena, Kylie Minogue – I dunno who is to blame but booking out RAC Arena for a whole week just for a single concert? Bryce Cotton will not be SPINNING AROUND in the Seeding Qualifier game at RAC Arena which has created TENSION between Wildcats’ owner, Mark Arena, and RAC Arena management. The 15,000+ strong Red Army is asking, “WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO?” to watch the game live? Coach John Rillie is SHOCKED he has to play in the HPC cubby house. How did this happen?

Defeated by Melbourne

HOOYAH – The 4th guard in the rotation - Ben Ayre, you stepped up and led your team in scoring with 15 points. You are a worthy member of the “I never lose faith in myself” team.

HARDEN UP – Even though you only played 10 minutes, Jordi Hunter, you know a single rebound ain’t gonna get it done. C’mon man…

Defeated by Illawarra

HOOYAH – May I remind you NEXT STAR Alex Toohey is only 20-years-old. You were a rebound off of a double-double with 12 points and 9 rebounds - quality productivity.

HARDEN UP – Jaylen Adams, you’re the leading scorer and the spoon that stirs the drink. Down 4 heading into the final quarter, you overreacted, lost your cool, got ejected and your team lost by 20.

Defeated Cairns

HOOYAH – The ‘Teal’ game that raises money and awareness for ovarian cancer is a phenomenal event. Full credit to all involved!

HARDEN UP – Fabijan Krslovic, you’re a champion and an extremely talented player, that’s why I can’t let a ZERO-point game slide.

HOOYAH – Justice delayed is justice denied. Game Review Panel, thanks for your swift response to the Jaylen Adams eye gouging incident.

HARDEN UP – No games on Sunday to close out the season? Why, oh why? I thought it was to clear the way for the MVP event, but that’s not on until tonight … so what happened? Now, two teams in the Wildcats and Phoenix can’t attend the night of nights cos they’ve got to play on Tuesday night. If MVP was on Sunday, they could have come, yeah?