Basketball: Come back win for Taranaki Airs in season opener
Sunday, Apr 12 2026
Basketball NZ
Result: The Property Broker Manawatū Jets (85) are defeated by the Taranaki Airs (91)
The Airs Storm Back to take Road Opener
The Jets got off to a fast start behind the aerial excellence of Kaden Sand (15pts, 9rbs, 7ast) and rim attacks of Dontae Russo-Nance (18pts, 2 rbs) and they went into quarter time up 3 at 27-24. The Jets would eventually build an 11 point lead but the Airs refused to go away and they fought (and shot) their way back in the game on the back of Xavier Green's 30 point 12 rebound effort including 5-9 from three at 55%.
Manawatū Jets: Jamal Poplar Jr (20pts, 9rbs), Dontae Russo-Nance (18prs, 2rbs, 1ast), Kaden Sand (15pts, 9rbs, 7ast)
Taranaki Airs: Xavier Green (30pts, 12rbs, 1ast), Marcel Jones (12pts, 3rbs, 2ast), Riley Tuuta (12pts, 1rb, 1ast)
MVP Votes:
Xavier Green (Airs)- 10
Jamal Poplar Jr. (Jets) 6
Aaron Cook Jr (Airs) - 6
Riley Tuuta (Airs) - 4
Marcel Jones (Airs) - 2
Dontae Russo-Nance (Jets) - 2
Rapid League game:
Result: Cook Street Manawaū Jets (37) defeat the Taranaki Airs (27)
Leading Players
Manawaū Jets: Hamza Zahran(16 points, 3 rebounds), Ihaia Abbott (6 points, 1 reb)
Taranaki Airs: Riley Tuuta (14 points, 4 rebounds), Jordan Cooper (8 points)
Rapid League MVP Votes:
Hamza Zahran (Jets) - 10
Christian McDaniel (Jets) - 6
Riley Tuuta (Airs) - 7
Boston Caldwell (Jets)- 2
Jordan Cooper (Airs) - 4
Chout Chout(Jets) - 1