Season Review - Illawarra Hawks

Season Review – Illawarra Hawks

Google Advertisements

Record: 15-13, lost 3-0 in grand final to Perth

Average Points: 88.5 (2)

Average Points Against: 88.3 (7)

Points Differential: +0.2 (3)

 

Statistical leaders

Points: Rotnei Clarke – 17.4

Rebounds: AJ Ogilvy – 7.6

Assists: Mitchell Norton – 2.9

Blocks: AJ Ogilvy – 1.5

Steals: Rhys Martin – 1.2

 

Team MVP: Rotnei Clarke

There were only three Illawarra players who averaged over ten points a game in 2016-17 and two of those only barely made it to that threshold.  That meant that night in, night out Rotnei Clarke had to shoulder the load for the second highest scoring team in the land.  His move to the bench after ten games was a masterstroke because it gave him the opportunity to study the game and free him up to take on opposing team’s second units.

 

Clarke was an offensive dynamo, coming in seventh in scoring and seventh in PER for the league.  He led the Hawks in scoring and minutes played and was top five in each of the other statistical categories other than blocked shots.

 

What made Clarke the MVP of this team was the way he brought a swagger and boastfulness to the team and the area.  Non-capital cities are usually seen as the underdogs because their city is not as big as the others and Clarke epitomises that.  Standing only 183cm, Clarke was not afraid to get into opposing team’s faces and show up the big city folk.

 

He had a lightning quick shot release and a bull-doggedness that made his team stand up and follow his lead.  Clarke was not only the statistical leader of the Hawks but the way he played and carried himself also paved the way.

 

What went right?

Making it all the way to the grand final series after bumping off the minor premiers is a clear reason how the season fared.  They were one of the most consistent performing teams during the season, being in the top four for most of the season and were only dropped to fourth due to Cairns and Perth having the advantage in head to head.  Defeating the Sixers in three games in the semi-final after losing the first game was a fantastic showing of determination.

 

The Hawks were the best ‘team’ in the league.  They led the competition in assists per game at 19.4 helpers per contest but had only Mitchell Norton in the top 20 in assists with 2.9 per game.  Their ball movement showed a fantastic approach to moving the ball with everyone able to be a playmaker, opening the floor for their many scorers.

 

The big men rotation of AJ Ogilvy, Nicholas Kay, Tim Coenraad and Oscar Forman was one of the best around, even if they did fly under the radar.  Ogilvy was the only player in the NBL this season to average at least one steal and block, and Kay has shown potential to be a high-class player in the future.  Michael Holyfield had his moments but unlike Illawarra’s other imports, Rotnei Clarke and Marvelle Harris, he was underwhelming.

 

What went wrong?

Losing the Grand Final will always sting, especially going down in straight sets.  The team underperformed in the series, averaging a whole eight points less than their regular season average and struggled to get free from the ferocious Perth defence.

Although Rotnei Clarke and Marvelle Harris had great seasons, Michael Holyfield was a total non-entity.  He was on the court for a whopping eleven minutes per game, the third-lowest in the team, above only development players Luke Jamieson and Angus Glover.  With guys like Devin Williams, Michael Bryson, Cedric Jackson and Steve Blake getting fired for poor performance, it was strange to see Holyfield on the roster at the end of the season.

 

With Rotnei Clarke moving to the bench partway through the season, Illawarra’s starters were well below the competition’s average.  The Hawks starters were last in points per game, three-point shooting, rebounds and field goal makes.  They were also third last assists per game.  This statistic may point to a well-rounded team, but it shows that the starters did not pull their weight.

 

Focus for next season

Unlike a lot of other NBL teams, the Hawks have most of their roster set for next season.  Rotnei Clarke had his team option taken up, while AJ Ogilvy, Rhys Martin and Nick Kay are locked up for 2017/18.  A strong wing who can do a bit of everything will be greatly appreciated while taking some of the offensive load away from Clarke and Ogilvy.  The basis is there, so using the two other import spots will be critical in getting back to the deciding series.

 

Season grade: A

This team scored quickly and often, and their high-powered offence carried them to become the second-best team in 2016/17.  The Hawks weren’t picked to go that far, and as a non-capital city, it’s fantastic for Wollongong.  It would have been nice to take the title or even a game against Perth, but there is no shame in how Illawarra fared this season.

Kyle Abbott (88 Posts)

Kyle has barracked for the North Melbourne Giants, Victoria Titans, Victoria Giants and the South Dragons. He's hoping the Melbourne United don't fold like the rest of them


Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Adam Caporn’s Vision for the Boomers: Merging Goorjian and Lemanis’ Success

    With Adam Caporn taking over as head coach of the Australian Boomers, the national team enters a critical phase in its evolution. A student of both Brian Goorjian and Andrej Lemanis, Caporn intends to build on their foundations, blending their distinct philosophies to create a balanced, adaptable, and high-performing team. In a recent interview with Aussie Hoopla, Caporn outlined his vision for the Boomers, his approach to coaching, and how he plans to shape the roster heading into major tournaments like the 2027 FIBA World…

    READ MORE
  • Luke Kendall on developing basketball in India, 2006 FIBA World Champs & Sydney’s 2005 NBL Title

    Former NBL player and current Casey Cavaliers head coach Luke Kendall joins the podcast to share his journey—from his junior basketball days to professional success and now a rising coaching career. Kendall developed under legendary coach Mike Dunlap at Metro State, where he won a national championship before moving to the NBL. He played for the Sydney Kings, Melbourne Tigers, Perth Wildcats, and Gold Coast Blaze, winning a championship with the Kings before injuries forced an early retirement. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of…

    READ MORE
  • Larry Kestelman Says Geelong Deserves an NBL Team But Is Missing a Real Estate Component

    The possibility of an NBL expansion team in Geelong has gained momentum, with league owner Larry Kestelman confirming the city is a strong candidate—provided it can secure a suitable venue. However, much like we outlined in an article a number of years ago, How the Geelong Supercats could return to the NBL within 3 years, the missing piece isn’t just a stadium, but a real estate-backed development plan to make the project financially viable. Kestelman recently acknowledged Geelong’s growing basketball scene, citing record participation numbers…

    READ MORE
  • The Wollongong Hawks’ 2001 NBL Championship: The defining moment of an underdog’s rise

    There have been championship runs in the NBL defined by dominance and the sheer weight of talent that could overwhelm opponents before the ball was tipped. The dynasties of Perth, the star-studded reign of Melbourne, and the rise of Sydney’s financial muscle all tell tales of powerhouses that knew how to stay at the top. But there has only ever been one championship like Wollongong’s in 2001—a title won through sheer resilience, a team that had no business being there until they forced their way…

    READ MORE
  • If Dyson Daniels Doesn’t Win Defensive Player of the Year, It’s a Disgrace

    The Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award is supposed to recognise the most dominant defender in the NBA. If that’s the case, then Dyson Daniels should already have his name engraved on the trophy. But as the season winds down, there’s a growing concern that Daniels might get overlooked simply because he’s a guard. If that happens, it won’t just be unfair—it will be a disgrace. Daniels is Leading the NBA in Every Key Defensive Stat There’s no argument against Daniels’ defensive dominance this…

    READ MORE
  • Sydney Kings’ Xavier Cooks Faces Further Consequences After Positive Cocaine Test

    Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks has served most of his one-month suspension for testing positive for cocaine but may still face additional disciplinary action from his club. He was provisionally suspended in early February after returning an adverse analytical finding just two days before the Kings’ sudden-death clash against Adelaide. Basketball Australia later confirmed the ban, though the club initially cited “personal leave” as the reason for his absence. Despite the violation, Sydney Kings officials reportedly want to retain Cooks, who remains under contract for…

    READ MORE
  • NBL Free Agent Tracker

    Below is an up-to-date roster for each NBL team and a list of rumours and potential signings derived from discussions with NBL staff and media. Players listed as contracted come from information supplied by the National Basketball League. * = Denotes import player ** = Naturalised Australian DP = a member of the team's development roster SRP = the previously named Asian player exception denoting an Asian player who qualifies as a local in the NBL. MP = Marquee players listed as known Click here…

    READ MORE
  • How Aussie Hoops Is Vital For Asia Basketball

    The recent FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Traralgon showcased not just Australia's dominance in the region but also why Australian basketball is becoming an invaluable asset for Asian nations looking to grow their game. The Boomers' commanding victories over Indonesia (109-58) and Thailand (114-64) were not just displays of superior talent but reflections of an elite system that consistently produces world-class players. For Asian basketball federations seeking a model to learn from, Australia offers an ideal blueprint—one that balances elite player development, a thriving professional…

    READ MORE
sekolahtoto SEKOLAHTOTO SEKOLAHTOTO sekolahtoto

SITUS TOGEL

depo 5k

sekolahtoto

sekolahtoto

situs togel

situs togel

Sekolahtoto