Waikato Pistons

Waikato Pistons
Leagues NBL
Founded 1982
History Hamilton (1982–1986)
Waikato Warriors (1987–2000)
Waikato Titans (2001–2005)
Waikato Pistons (2006–2011, 2013–2014)
Arena Hamilton Boys' High School, Hamilton
Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton
Location Hamilton, New Zealand
Team colors Black, Yellow, Red, White
Championships 4 (2001, 02, 08, 09)
Uniforms
Home
Away

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

The Pistons did not compete in the 2012 NBL season after 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] However, after just two seasons, the Pistons again pulled out of the NBL for the 2015 season due to financial considerations after the Waikato Basketball Council felt their resources were better placed on less expensive development operations.[4][5]

Last roster

Waikato Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
PG 6 New Zealand Lacey, Matt 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
SG 7 New Zealand Comer, James 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
SF 9 New Zealand King-Hawea, Dyson (DP) 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
G/F 11 Australia Carter, Zac 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
PG 12 United States Henry, Corin (I) 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
SG 13 New Zealand Noyer, Karl 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
F 14 New Zealand Talma, Alex 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
PF 15 New Zealand Barrow, Nick 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
G/F 16 United States Wright, Akeem (I) 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
F/C 20 New Zealand Salt, Jack 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
PF 43 New Zealand Frank, Casey 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • New Zealand Zico Coronel
  • New Zealand Anthony Corban
Team manager
  • New Zealand Dave Murry
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (TP) Training player
  • (I) Import
  • Injured

History

The club made their first appearance in the NBL in 1982 as Hamilton, later changing their name to the Waikato Warriors in 1987. In 2001, they were renamed the Titans before changing their name again in 2006 to the Pistons.

2000 to 2005

In 2000, the Warriors lost in the semi-final to the Nelson Giants 105-100 with Darryl Johnson top scoring for the Warriors with 27 points along with 19 rebounds. Phill 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 as they defeated the Wellington Saints. The Titans went on to win back-to-back championships in 2002 after defeating the Nelson Giants, 85-83. Brendon Pongia top scored in this game with 17. In 2003, the Pistons went for three in a row but lost in the final to Wellington 97-88 with the top scorer being Pero Cameron. The 2004 season saw a change in coaching with the Titans bringing in Tim McTamney as head coach. They finished sixth with a record of 10 wins and 8 losses. The following 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.

2006 to 2009

The next year saw another coaching change with Murray McMahon stepping into the shoes of head coach for the newly named Pistons team. In March 2006, it was decided that the club would change their name to the Pistons from the Titans which they used from 2001 to 2005. This was primarily because Hamilton became 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. The 2006 season, however, saw the Pistons finish ninth with a dismal 4-14 record. The 2007 season ended with the Pistons losing the semi-final in overtime to the Nelson Giants 109-103 with the top scorer being Jason Crowe with 28. The 2008 season saw the Pistons once again bring the winning feeling back to Waikato as they won the championship over the Wellington Saints in a best-of-three series that 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 2009 season saw another coaching change after the unexpected death of Murray McMahon.[6] Breakers assistant coach Dean Vickerman filled the head coach vacancy and led the Pistons to their second straight title, defeating the Nelson Giants 2-0 in a best-of-three series. Top scorers were Adam Ballinger with 22 in the first game and Justin Bailey with 32 in the second game.[7] The 2009 season saw the Waikato franchise win back-to-back championships for the second time in their history.

2010 season

In 2010, the Pistons made the finals again under Dean Vickerman despite a mid-season mishap. In April 2010, after an incident in a Napier bar, import Eric Devendorf was released by the club just hours after spending time in a Napier police station.[8] They went on to face a strong Wellington Saints team in the finals but lost 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 again in game three with 29.

2011 season

An exciting signing for the Pistons in 2011 was former Harbour Heat big man B. J. Anthony who was also a development player for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL. The first of the import signings for the Pistons was former Louisville star Jerry Smith who had recently played in the NBA Development League for the Springfield Armor where he averaged 13 points, three rebounds and three assists per game. The second was Fresno State standout Sylvester Seay. In his final year at Fresno State, Seay averaged 15.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. However, he was later released by the club after not suiting coach Vickerman's style. Former import Jason Crowe subsequently stepped in to fill the Pistons' vacant import spot for the rest of the season. The Pistons also welcomed back swingman Thomas Abercrombie, big man Alex Pledger, live wire Ray Cameron, shooting guard Hayden Allen and solid sixth man Puke Lenden. Youngster Marco Alexander also joined the Pistons for 2011. Despite the promising squad, the Pistons were defeated in the semi-final, losing 95-86 to the Hawke's 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 after not participating in the 2012 season. Notable signings included the return of 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.[9] Their first import was former Clemson University standout Vernon Hamilton. While at Clemson, he averaged 12.3 points, 3.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. The second import for 2013 was ex-Harbour Heat centre, Zack Atkinson.[10] On 2 May 2013, the Pistons released Hamilton just two games into the season.[11] Then on 7 May, the Pistons signed import forward Garrius Holloman who had been recently been released from the Manawatu Jets.[12]

2014 season

In November 2013, Pero Cameron was announced as the organisation's new head coach/player development manager.[13]

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.[14] On 5 February 2014, Australian Zac Carter signed with the Pistons for the 2014 season.[15] On 11 February 2014, Casey Frank, a former Wellington Saints championship player, signed with the Pistons for the 2014 season.[16]

On 20 February 2014, Thomas Abercrombie signed with the Pistons for the 2014 season, returning to the club after playing with them from 2009 to 2011.[17] However, on 31 March 2014, Abercrombie was released from his contract to allow him to sign in France.[18]

On 11 March 2014, the Pistons signed former Otago Nuggets import, Akeem Wright, for the 2014 season.[19] On 24 March 2014, the Pistons signed former Sydney Kings import, Corin Henry, for the 2014 season.[20]

Despite the promising line-up, the Pistons had a poor season as they missed the playoffs after finishing sixth with an 8-10 record. A positive for the Pistons was forward Akeem Wright who averaged 20.8 points per game, which was good for seventh in the league.[21]

Notable former players

Imports

Season results

References

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