WITH the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) 18IN18 competition done and dusted, we take a look back at each of the six teams, how they performed and some of the top talents who stood out across the condensed season.

We continue with the fourth placed Capital Swish who won two of their first three games before dropping their last four games and bowing out in the semi-finals, but not before showing some impressive basketball.

SUMMARY:

Position: 4th
Wins: 2
Losses: 3

STATS:

Points: 60.3 (5th)
Rebounds: 44.5 (2nd)
Assists: 13.3 (4th)
Steals: 11.8 (4th)
Blocks: 3.5 (4th)
FG%: 35 (4th)

Capital Swish are a strong rebounding side, ranked second overall for boards in the 2020 season. Though they finished bottom three in all the other key areas, which ultimately resembled their eventual finishing position. The Swish were not too far off the two sides above them, but a last round loss to the Wizards saw them drop to fourth and have to take on the Harbour Breeze and lose for the second time by an identical margin of 13 points.

RESULTS:

1: defeated Canterbury Wildcats by 13 points
2: lost to Harbour Breeze by 13 points
3: defeated Auckland Dream by 10 points
4: lost to Otago Gold Rush by 10 points
5: lost to Waikato Wizards by 13 points
SF: lost to Harbour Breeze by 13 points

TOP TALENT:

Letava Whippy

A phenomenally consistent effort in a low-scoring side, Whippy led the points, rebounds and assists, making this an easy choice. Spending no less than 31 minutes on court, Whippy showed off her work rate, only dropping into single-digit points once, and stepped up in the semi-final with a mammoth 17 points, 12 rebounds – eight defensive – six assists and five steals. The Swish had plenty of talent, but Whippy was by far the most consistent and fans could always rely on her impact off the boards. By the end of the 2020 season, Whippy finished with an average of 12.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.3 steals and 3.7 steals per game.

OTHERS:

There were plenty of supporting acts, with Paris Lokotui averaging 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, behind only Whippy and Te Huinga Selby-Rickett (5.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals) in boards for the season. Others who averaged more than five in a statistical area include second highest points scorer, Grace Simi Vaofusi (10.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals), and Sariah Penese (5.8 points, 1.8 rebounds). Overall the Swish put together a promising season, but not quite enough to knock off the top ranked Breeze, though the win over reigning champions Auckland Dream was a highlight.

Picture: Photosport