Waikato Pistons

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Waikato Pistons
Leagues  New Zealand NBL
Arena Hamilton Boys' High School, Hamilton
Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton
Location Hamilton, New Zealand
Team colors Black, Yellow, Red, White
Head coach Pero Cameron
Championships 4 (2001, 02, 08, 09)
Uniforms
Home
Away

The Waikato Pistons are a New Zealand professional basketball team that represents the Waikato Region in the New Zealand National Basketball League.

The Pistons did not compete in the 2012 NBL season as the Waikato Basketball Council decided to make community basketball its top priority.[1] In November 2012, it was announced that the Pistons would return to the NBL in 2013.[2][3]

Current roster

Waikato Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
F New Zealand Talma, Alex 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
F/C New Zealand Salt, Jack 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
F New Zealand Barrow, Nick 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
G/F Australia Carter, Zac 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • TBD
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (TP) Training player
  • (I) Import
  • Injured

History

In March 2006 it was decided that the side would change their name to the Pistons from the Titans which they used from 2000-2005. This was primarily because Hamilton is now the motorsport capital of New Zealand after gaining the rights to host the V8 supercars and the New Zealand leg of the World Rally Championship. Before this they were referred to as the Waikato Warriors . The Pistons play their home games at the Hamilton YMCA . Current players include New Zealand young Tall Blacks stars Thomas Abercrombie and Alex Pledger. After the death of former coach Murray McMahon, Dean Vickerman, the assistant coach of the New Zealand Breakers has been signed on to coach them and has coached them to a championship in 2009, with Justin Bailey being named the Finals Most Valuable Player.

In 2010 the Waikato Pistons home venues will change. They will keep playing at the Te Awamutu Events Center, but will switch the YMCA in Hamilton for the new gym at Hamilton Boys High School.

After an incident in a Napier bar, Eric Devendorf was released by the club, not only for that reason but also because Dean Vickerman felt he needed a specialised point guard to play the position. After the release of Devendorf, Carl Krauser, who played for the University of Pittsburgh, was signed by the Pistons being a specialised point guard at 1.85m (6 ft 1 in). However, the Pistons coaching staff decided Krauser wasn't the right fit for the Pistons, so they released him and picked up forward Rashad Tucker who played for the Melbourne Tigers.

Management

  • Head Coach - Pero Cameron
  • Assistant Coach(es) - TBD
  • Manager - Dave Murray

Pistons since 2000

In 2000 the Pistons were called the Warriors. This changed the next year to the Titans then again in 2007 to the Pistons to account for the fact that Hamilton was hosting the V8 Supercars. In 2000 the Warriors lost in the semi-final to the Nelson Giants 105-100 with import Darryl Johnson top scoring for the Warriors with 27 points along with 19 rebounds, Phil Jones of the Giants top scored for them with 25 points.

In 2001 the newly named Titans enjoyed much success winning the NBL championship for the first time under new head coach Jeff Green. Clifton Bush top scored in this game with 26 points and 11 rebounds. They beat the Wellington Saints. The same thing happened the next year, Jeff Green coached the Titans to the championship for the second year running beating the Nelson Giants 85-83. Brendon Pongia top scored in this game with 17. The next was much of the same except the Titans lost the final to Wellington 97-88 with the top scorer Pero Cameron. The next year saw a change in coaching with the Titans bringing in Tim McTamney to coach them. They finished sixth with a record of 10 wins and 8 losses. The next season was the best under McTamney with the Titans losing in the semi-final to the Nelson Giants 77-65. The top scorer was Greg Lewis with 22 points. The next year was the worst the Titans experienced finishing 9th overall with a record of 4 wins and 14 losses. The next year saw another change in coaching staff with Murray McMahon stepping into the shoes of head coach, this also saw the name change to the Pistons. This season ended with the Pistons losing the semi-final in overtime to the Nelson Giants 109-103 and the top scorer for the Pistons was Jason Crowe with 28. The next season was a fairytale season for the Pistons, once again bringing the winning feeling back to the Waikato, winning the championship over the Wellington Saints in a best of 3 series the Pistons won 2-0. The top scorers in these games were Jason Crowe with 26 in the first game and Pero Cameron with 20 in the second game. The next season saw another coaching changed after the sad death of Murray McMahon. Breakers assistant coach Dean Vickerman filled the head coach vacancy and led the Pistons to their second straight title, beating out the Nelson Giants 2-0 in a best of 3 series. Top scorers were Adam Ballinger with 22 in the first game and Justin Bailey with 32 in the second game. In 2010 the Pistons made the finals again under Dean Vickerman, they came up against a strong Wellington Saints team, unfortunately losing the series 2-1. The top scorers in the games for the Pistons were Tom Abercrombie with 32 in the first game, Rashad Tucker with 18 in the second and Tom Abercrombie in game 3 with 29.

2011 season

An exciting signing for the Pistons this year is former Harbour Heat big man B. J. Anthony. B. J. is a development player for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australasian NBL and last season played for the Harbour Heat in the New Zealand NBL.

The first of the import signings for the Pistons this season is former Louisville star Jerry Smith who has recently played for the Springfield Armor in the NBA D-League and averaging 13 points 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

The second is Fresno State standout Sylvester Seay. Seay has been playing in Korea and is already loving life in New Zealand after only a few days in the country. In his final year at Fresno State University, Seay averaged 15.3 points, 5.8 rebounds in 29 minutes. Good numbers in a low scoring league. But since the beginning of the season Seay has been dropped as he was not suited to coach Vickerman's style. So a familiar face has been signed in order to fill the 2nd import spot for the Pistons. Jason Crowe has been called back to the Pistons to help win another championship, and so far that could very well be the case with Crowe leading the NBL in assists and steals.

The Pistons also welcome back swingman Thomas Abercrombie, big man Alex Pledger, live wire Ray Cameron, shooting guard Hayden Allen and solid 6th man Puke Lenden.

The Pistons also have a new back-up point guard to play behind Jerry Smith who has been outstanding in the pre-season games by the name of Marco Alexander from Auckland.

Marco received the MVP at the National Championships in 2010, and also won 4 age group national titles with North Harbour and has received 5 tournament team mentions in age group tournaments. He was also a member of the New Zealand under-18 basketball team and the NZ Breakers Development team in 2009.

But once again the Pistons felt defeat in the semi-final, losing 95-86 to the Hawkes Bay Hawks who would eventually end up losing the final to a powerful Wellington Saints team.

2013 season

The Pistons returned to the NBL in 2013. Notable signings included ex-Pistons guards Marco Alexander and James Comer, former Pirates forward Nick Barrow and ex Harbour Heat swingman, Ana Haku, as well as New Zealand Breakers point guard Tai Webster, the younger brother of Wellington Saints and New Zealand Breakers shooting guard, Corey Webster.[4] Their first import was former Clemson University standout Vernon Hamilton. While at Clemson he averaged 12.3ppg, 3.4apg and 3.1rpg. The second import for 2013 was ex Harbour Heat centre, Zack Atkinson.[5] On May 2, 2013, the Pistons released Hamilton just two games into the season.[6] Then on May 7, the Pistons signed import forward Garrius Holloman who had been recently released from the Manawatu Jets.[7]. They were coached by Douglas E.F. Courtney.

2014 season

In November 2013, Pero Cameron was announced as the organisation's new player development manager and will also take over as the head coach as well.[8]

In January 2014, the Pistons announced the signing of New Zealand Breakers development player Jack Salt. They also announced the signing of Alex Talma and the re-signing of Nick Barrow.[9]

On 5 February 2014, Australian Zac Carter signed with the Pistons for the 2014 season.[10]

Notable former players

Imports

Season results

References

  1. ↑ Anderson, Ian (27 October 2011). "Waikato Pistons out of 2012 national league". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 November 2011. 
  2. ↑ Pistons return to NBL
  3. ↑ Waikato Pistons back in the action
  4. ↑ Tai Webster's signing should get Pistons firing
  5. ↑ Waikato nab big man Atkinson to bolster side
  6. ↑ Hamilton wrong fit for Waikato Pistons
  7. ↑ New import for Waikato Pistons
  8. ↑ Cameron a man Pistons can look up to
  9. ↑ Pistons Grab Salt
  10. ↑ Pistons Add Carter

External links

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