THE only way is up for Taranaki Mountainairs who finished on the bottom of the ladder last New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) season. In 2022, they have a fairly solid list and look likely to lift themselves from the canvas, but with a couple of exciting players leading a lot of unknowns, it will be an interesting season for Airs fans.
KEY CHANGES:
FRESH FACES: Richie Rodger, Benji Freeman, Caleb Smiler, Geordie Hoeata, Cameron Quinnell, Elijah Puna, Riley Tuuta
KEY DEPARTURES: Marcel Jones, Francis Mulvihill, Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape, Nelson Kirksey
The Airs have retained a fairly consistent list, though losing the star big man of the competition in Marcel Jones (23.2 points, 9.7 rebounds) will hurt. He was as consistent as they come, and though his partner-in-crime Tai Wynyard (15.9 points, 6.4 rebounds) is still there, the Airs will have to look for another star to step up. Also departing the side were the likes of Francis Mulvihill, Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape and Nelson Kirksey, whilst they have brought in Richie Rodger among a host of depth players to fill out the list.
Roger played for the Airs back in 2017-18, and has since had back-to-back years for the Otago Nugets, where he has improved year-on-year to averaged 9.3 points. 2.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists playing all 18 games last season. He looms as the key inclusion to the roster, though the guard is not exactly a straight swap for Jones. Elijah Puna could be that replacement, having played for Logan Thunder in the NBL1 in Australia, whilst Benji Freeman, Caleb Smiler, Geordie Hoeata and Riley Tuuta have all shown promising development, largely at junior level.
2022 TARANAKI AIRS ROSTER
Carlin Davison
Tai Wynyard
Scott Telfer
Richie Rodger
Tom Poulgrain
Ben Carlile-Smith
Haize Walker
Benji Freeman
Caleb Smiler
Geordie Hoeata
Aaron Bailey-Nowell
Cameron Quinnell
Elijah Puna
Riley Tuuta
KEY TO SUCCESS
For the Airs to make playoffs, everything realistically has to go right. They have a genuine star talent in Wynyard, but now he becomes the number one man rather than being the second string big man to Jones. More pressure will be put on him close to the basket, so the likes of young gun Carlin Davison and Rodger will be looked upon as shooting talents. They do have Aaron Bailey-Nowell as a big with experience, but he is largely an outlier on a very young list.
There is no doubt the Airs have built a team for the future, and with Rodger returning, are building a culture to sustain into the future. It is far more likely than likely they miss playoffs having lost their best player and gained an even spread of talented depth across the board, but being more competitive will be the key for the Airs in 2022.
2022 SCHEDULE
R1 @ Tuatara | @ Jets
R2 vs. Hawks
R3 vs. Rams
R4 vs. Sharks
R5 vs. Nuggets
R6 vs. Sints
R7 vs. Tuatara
R8 @ Hawks
R9 vs. Jets
R10 @ Giants | @ Saints
R11 vs. Bulls
R12 @ Rams
R13 @ Sharks | @ Nuggets
R14 @ Bulls
R15 vs. Giants
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