Kelvin Fisher goes through the 2024 Miles Toyota Men’s Premier League Teams, and how each team looks ahead of the opening games
The 2024 edition of the Miles Toyota Premier League in Canterbury Basketball gets underway this weekend with the prospect of seasoned veterans, rising stars and National League players set to light up the court during the eagerly anticipated season.
Six teams are once again entered to bid for the title of Canterbury Club Champions with the regular season consisting of a triple round robin before playoffs commence. The leading team after round robin play will be awarded the Hoben Trophy and clinch number 1 seed for semifinals and match up against the 4th placed side. The other semi-final will feature the 2nd & 3rd ranked sides in their bid to reach the season finale.
Ahead of the opening round of games I will seek to provide some insight into the respective rosters, in no particular order, along with some of the movements both during the off season and throughout the year.
University of Canterbury
Defending champion University of Canterbury seek to run it back with several of their standout performers from 2023 back in maroon. Noah Watson, Sam Riley and Paul Stephenson are amongst these players and will again play strong hands from the first tip off. A heavy Nelson influence amongst the students is evident with sharpshooter Taylor Matthews breaking into top lineup and joining fellow Nelsonian Max Patterson with age groups stars Jonty Bond and Will Blight also now studying in the garden city and set to feature strongly. Nash Biggs, another hailing from Nelson, is absent this season and was a key contributor in 2024.
A critical factor to the success of UC will be the availability of Rams forward and 3X3 national rep Aidan Tonge with his toughness and smooth skills around the basket undoubtedly highly valued by coach Piet Van Hasselt.
Roster:
Noah Watson, Jonty Bond, Max Paterson, Junior De Young, Pita King, Taylor Matthews, Sam Riley, Paul Stephenson, Aidan Tonge, Tom Higgins, Will Blight, Josh Lawson, Sam Start
Lincoln University Rams
Fellow tertiary side, Lincoln University, will enter the 2024 season with a young but highly talented and athletic roster however will commence the season with a different look than they may finish with. Simon Lafaele, Tanae Lavery, Mana Martin and Kaleb Chamberlain are all currently plying their trade in the NBL along with Jarred Burnett in the NBL1 league in Australia and the timing on their respective returns will become clearer as their seasons unfold. Alongside these absences, the loss of Phoenix Sorensen (rugby) and Corban Mason (Checkers) will need to be supplemented from the young group named within an extended squad.
In the meantime, much of the offensive load will rest with Canterbury U20 reps Mitchell Corkery, Seb Wilson and Jack Henderson with Southland guard Cody Stevens also expected to stamp his mark on the competition with his blistering pace.
Head coach Leyton Haddleton will be seeking to have his squad in a strong position come the end of June as he hands the reigns over to depart to lead the New Zealand U17 side to the FIBA World Cup in Turkey.
Roster:
Amosa Faitaua-Nanai, Cody Stevens, Connor O’Toole, Jack Churcher, Will Churcher, Jack Henderson, Jarrad Burnett, Josh Muggleston, Kaleb Chamberlain, Mana Martin, Mitch Corkery, Seb Wilson, Simon Lafaele, Tanae Lavery, Zac Summerfield, Brody Cooper, Ethan Robinson, Icaro Teixeira, Jacob Bennett, Jacob Sharp, Sam Kenny, Tony Worthington, Kalib Clarkson, Jonty McKay
Checkers
Former Canterbury Rams captain Sam Smith takes the helm at Checkers and will fill the dual role of player/coach with Fletcher Arnold to assist, with injuries having halted his playing career prematurely.
Checkers are also expecting mid-season returnees with Josh Book and Jackson Rhodes returning from the States and Ben Hall to suit up on the conclusion of the Sharks NBL season. Whilst waiting on their mid-season arrivals, Smith will look to call up some of the Checkers U23 side.
Promising youth players Lochie McLean and Jake Holmes will be permanent features in the side, making their debuts in the premier ranks however the lineup does boast some experience in the form of Carl Isitt and Cody Alexander with Tyler Herbert set to be a key piece in the guard line. Smith will be an asset on and off the floor with his basketball IQ being of the highest level and potentially a catalyst for success on the scoreboard.
The acquisition of Corban Mason will add some rim presence at both ends of the court with his showings for the Rams in Rapid League highlighting an all-round game that will be welcomed as he suits up in another red kit.
Roster:
Tyler Herbert, Lochie McLean, Jake Holmes, Taylor Willis, Carl Isitt, Corban Mason, Adam Morgan, Cody Alexander, James Leen, Ben Hall, Josh Book, Jackson Rhodes, Sam Smith
Pioneer Pacers
Current Hoben Trophy holders Pioneer return with the core of their roster retained and will also be strengthened by an addition of Daniel Powell from North Harbour who has featured on the 3X3 court locally.
2024 MVP Ben Constable will be fundamental to Pioneers aspirations and alongside Tom Russ-Hofmans presents a formidable presence in the paint. The guard line with be littered with pace, playmaking and scoring ability with the luxury of multiple floor generals in the likes of Marty Davison, Quinn Lavery and Louie Gordon to guide the side and implement coach Lori McDaniel’s plans.
Pioneer will benefit from a stable lineup throughout the season with this consistency around selections likely to have them to have them towards the top of the ladder as the playoff race looms.
Much of the scoring load may rest with Hugo Gonzales and the Lavery brothers however overall, Pacers have a balanced lineup with multiple threats across the court.
Roster:
Marty Davison, Quinn Lavery, Karesse Lavery, Hugo Gonzales, Louie Gordon, Daniel Powell, Nick Fechney, Nic Wenmoth, Tom Russ-Hofmans, Ben Constable, Dylan Elam, Angus Lowe
Gators
Gators will also enter the new season with a relatively unchanged squad which again combines a nice balance of experience and youth as the Middleton based outfit seek to improve on 2024 standing.
Josh Nickel and Josef Knottenbelt are proven performers at this level, both within general play and the leadership they bring to the group. Despite being under defensive scrutiny, Matt Mischewski is able to score freely particularly from long range and will be a key piece in coach Zach Lilburne’s strategy.
Returning from the first year of their US college careers will be cousins Tom Harrison and Harry Weston and Gators will look to this pair to contribute heavily. Up until their return Coach Lilbrune may also look to his U23 players to bolster numbers and increase the depth within their ranks.
With Weston and Zach Hannen leading the back court, opposition teams can expect their transition defence to be rigorously tested as this pair will push the ball at every opportunity.
Roster:
Zach Hannen, Matt Mischewski, Josh Nickel, Jozef Knottenbelt, Reuben Booth, Carlton Chitongo, Harry Weston, Tom Harrison, Ah-Li Fenika, Seth Bryant
Atami
Atami have had some player movement with Greg & Patrick Rodger, Alex Taylor and Kurt Fenon not expected to return for various reasons however some additions by returning coach Fraser Costley have offset these losses. Riley Sa moves from Checkers, NZ age group rep Ihaka Cate slides up into the Premier grade and in possibly the biggest news over the off season, ex Canterbury Ram Nathan Campbell returns to club basketball for the first time in several years.
Boasting vast experience at both club & NBL level, Derek Albertson will be the general for Atami with Zac Dwan & Paul McFarlin ably assisting in this space and leading the charge for Costley’s crew.
Joel Jeffrey is a formidable force in the keyhole at both ends of the hardwood and his presence on court poses an intimidating factor for opposition sides.
Campbell, whilst returning from a hiatus, is a class act and will quickly provide outstanding leadership and impact of the stats sheet which could be the catalyst to Atami returning to the playoffs or better….
Roster
Derek Albertson, Loyal Patelesio, Zacc Dwan, Joel Jeffrey, Will Hollings, Ihaka Cate, Nathan Campbell, Ethan Hardaker, Paul McFarlin, Riley Sa, Logan Stanley, Kobe Costley
Premier Men’s All Star Five 2024
L to R; Barry Dent (CBA Board Chairman), Sam Riley (UC), Ben Constable – MVP (Pioneer), Quinn Lavery (Pioneer), Tanae Lavery (Lincoln Uni). Absent: Josh Book (Checkers)
Schedule for opening round on Saturday 27th April:
1.45pm
Checkers vs Lincoln University
(Refs: Tyler Radbourne, Jayden Rosanowski)
3.20pm
Atami vs Pioneer Pacers
(Refs: Raewyn Willocks, Tyler Radbourne)
4.55pm
Gators vs University of Canterbury
(Refs: Raewyn Willocks, Blake Rosanowski)
