Websters Clash in NZNBL

Friday, June 23, 2023

Perth guards Corey and Tai Webster locked horns in the NZNBL overnight.

The Webster brothers – Corey and Tai – have often spoken about their desire to play on the same team at the professional level. However, in the NZNBL last night they lined up on opposite sides of the court.

The pair linked up at the New Zealand Breakers in the 2012-13 season, and are primed to once again line up for the Perth Wildcats in NBL24 – and Tai will take bragging rights into the first day of NBL pre-season.

Corey and Tasmania development player Walter Brown both started the game for the Canterbury Rams, while Tai and Wildcats teammate Michael Harris formed a quality NBL backcourt for the Otago Nuggets.

The clash also acted as Tai's debut for the Nuggets, and his first game in the competition since 2013

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Straight baller. ?<br><br>28 PTS / 6 3PM / 6 REB / 6 AST.<br><br>That was quite a welcome to Nuggs Nation, Tai. ??<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DefendOurGround?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DefendOurGround</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SalsNBL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SalsNBL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nznbl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nznbl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/skysportnz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@skysportnz</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZZb1yeRUHE">pic.twitter.com/ZZb1yeRUHE</a></p>— Otago Nuggets (@otagonuggetsnbl) <a href="https://twitter.com/otagonuggetsnbl/status/1671816017558011904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Nuggets emerged as 13-point victors in a high-scoring contest, and while most eyes may have been on the Websters matching up it was Harris who stole the show with 30 points and five rebounds.

Tai added 28 points, six rebounds and six assists in the win, while Corey finished the clash with 18 points, six rebounds and eight assists.

Brown had 11 points for the Rams.

The Nuggets’ victory has pulled them level with the Rams with a 9-5 record. Auckland Tuatara sit atop the standings with a 10-3 record.

Auckland’s side is stacked with NBL23 talent, and features Cam Gliddon, Rob Loe, Reuben Te Rangi and Jarrad Weeks, while the team is led by new Perth assistant Aaron Young.