AFTER being one of the contenders in 2021, it is fair to say the Southland Sharks are ready to take the next step in the 2022 New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). The Sharks finished third last season, coming agonisingly close to reaching the final. But in 2022, they have only lost one crucial player, and have brought in a ton of depth in what should make them one of the strongest sides in the competition.
KEY CHANGES:
FRESH FACES: Jaylen Gerrand, Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape, Campbell Scott, Quake Webster, Romaro Gill, Mojave King
KEY DEPARTURES: Courtney Belger, Josh Cunningham, Toby Gillooly
To quickly go through the key departures, there is little doubt Josh Cunningham will be a loss. He ranked second in both points and rebounds for the Sharks last season, with 14.6 and 8.2 respectively. He and Courtney Belger (9.3 points, 5.5 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals) would be considered important talents, whilst Toby Gillooly was capable of impact plays. But despite those losses, the Sharks have more than made up with the inclusions.
Boasting Australian NBL experience, young gun Mojave King has made the trek south and will be one to watch competition-wide with some highlight reel efforts. He joins the likes Franklin Bulls’ Jaylen Gerrand and Taranaki Mountainairs’ Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape as players with senior experience and impacted for their respective sides last year. Jamaican Romaro Gill impressed for reigning premiers Wellington Saints last season, and exciting young guns Quake Webster and Campbell Scott have also stepped into the Sharks’ senior lineup.
2022 SOUTHLAND SHARKS ROSTER:
Dom Kelman-Poto
Liam McRae
Brayden Inger
Alonzo Burton
Jaylen Gerrand
Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape
Tom Cowie
Connor Coll
Campbell Scott
Quake Webster
Ethan Mitchell
Romaro Gill (T2)
Mojave King
Andrew Wheeler
KEY TO SUCCESS
After an inconsistent 2020 season, Dom Kelman-Poto stepped up to reveal all that potential and be a dominant big man in multiple facets. Being the key leader in both points and rebounds, he will love having King at the club, with Brayden Inger and Alonzo Burton returning as important Sharks from last season. They have the talent out on court to match it with the top two sides this season, and will get a great Round 1 test against the Wellington Saints to try and take a big scalp early.
The depth the Sharks have built – including putting an emphasis on youth – means they will be setting themselves up for the future and playing some exciting basketball across the 15 rounds. With the balance of bigs and smalls on te list, and plenty of role players who can come on and do their thing when called upon, there is no reason why the Sharks cannot be a serious contender in the 2022 NZNBL title race.
2022 SCHEDULE
R1 vs. Saints
R2 @ Bulls | @ Jets
R3 vs. Hawks
R4 @ Airs
R5 vs. Nuggets
R6 vs. Giants
R7 @ Hawks | @ Saints
R8 vs. Jets
R9 vs. Rams
R10 vs. Tuatara
R11 @ Giants
R12 @ Tuatara
R13 vs. Airs
R14 @ Nuggets | @ Rams
R15 vs. Bulls
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