"Overall, I thought we played well. The guys who came off the bench gave us energy. We're learning how to finish games and how to win. They showed a lot of character in the final quarter."
American import DeMarshay Johnson is keen to showcase his talents to Taranaki basketball fans – starting tonight when the Taranaki Mountain Airs take on the Christchurch Cougars in a National Basketball League game at the TSB Stadium in New Plymouth.
"I'm always looking to improve on my game," said the 2.06m (6ft 9in) forward. "We're looking for a big one on Friday night to get our first win of the season."
Johnson, a graduate of the University of Nevada in Reno, believed the Mountain Airs were close to winning form.
"We've got a great group of guys. There's some really capable players," he said.
With 12 points against the Waikato Pistons last Saturday and 23 points in game one against the Nelson Giants, Johnson is looking to step up.
"Basketball is pretty much the same wherever you play. You're always going to be banged around a bit, but that's the same anywhere," he said.
"I'm loving it out here. It's a big change from the States.
"It's so laidback here, not so much of a rush. The people and support I've had has been amazing. Everyone is just so friendly."
Tonight's game against the Cougars is not going to be easy, despite the Christchurch side being thrashed 104-74 by the Waikato Pistons in Te Awamutu last night.
It has tasted success twice already this season from its four games and has a decent line-up.
Giants took advantage of early turnovers by the Airs and extended their lead to 9, Airs countered with a three point play by Johnson and lay ups from Davey and Leasure to cut deficit to 3.
A couple of threes from Jones and Bloxham helped build the Giants lead to 12 to end the third,
To start the fourth the Giants led by as many as 15 and it all looked but over for the Airs, but they showed resolve going on an 8-0 run.
Giants would now be in a dogfight and would commit 5 fourth quarter turnovers compared to none for the Airs.
With 58 seconds remaining the score was all tied up from two made free throws by Johnson. Airs then forced a Rampton turnover and had a chance to take the lead. A missed three pointer by Davey ensured that the Giants would have the last shot. Harrison had only nine for the game but nailed the jumpshot that counted.
Heatwave star big man Demarshay Johnson left for New Zealand to play for another team. With his 21 points and 9 rebounds gone the Heatwave have to adjust the team to cycle players in and off the bench.
“Our big guys are good, but as one-on-one players they need improvement,” said Wright. “We had the luxury of having Demarshay so we could just throw it into him and let him go to work. It’s going to be a collective team effort and our bigs are going to have to pull together and they have been these last few games.”
