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Waikato Pistons

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Waikato Pistons
Waikato Pistons logo
LeagueNational Basketball League
Founded1982
FoldedNovember 2014
HistoryHamilton
1982; 1984–1986
Waikato Warriors
1987–2000
Waikato Titans
2001–2005
Waikato Pistons
2006–2011; 2013–2014
ArenaHamilton Boys' High School
LocationHamilton, Waikato,
New Zealand
Team colorsBlack, yellow, red, white
Championships4 (2001, 2002, 2008, 2009)

The Waikato Pistons were a New Zealand basketball team based in Hamilton. The Pistons competed in the National Basketball League (NBL) and played their home games at Hamilton Boys' High School.

After sitting out the 2012 NBL season,[1] the Pistons returned to play in 2013 and 2014,[2] before permanently withdrawing again in November 2014.[3]

Team history

The Waikato Pistons, then known as Hamilton, were a foundation member of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1982. After finishing seventh in the eight-team competition, the team was relegated to the second-tiered Conference Basketball League (CBL) in 1983. After finishing as CBL Northern champions in 1983, Hamilton was promoted back into the NBL in 1984. In 1987, the team was renamed Waikato. Waikato saw little success in the NBL until 2001, when they claimed their first minor premiership with a first-place finish and a 15–1 record. Behind the likes of Clifton Bush and Pero Cameron, the Titans defeated the Auckland Stars 93–88 in the semi-finals before winning their maiden NBL championship with a 112–97 win over the Wellington Saints in the final.[4]

In 2002, the Titans finished second in the regular season with an 11–5 record. Behind the likes of Cameron, Dillon Boucher and Brendon Pongia, the Titans defeated the Canterbury Rams 91–81 in the semi-finals before claiming back-to-back championships with an 85–83 win over the Nelson Giants in the final.[5]

In 2003, the Titans claimed their second minor premiership in three years with a first-place finish and a 16–2 record. Behind the likes of Cameron and Boucher, the Titans reached their third straight final with a 98–77 win over the Auckland Stars in the semi-finals. In the final, they were defeated 97–88 in overtime by the Saints.[6]

In 2008, Waikato finished second in the regular season with a 13–5 record.[7] Behind the likes of Cameron, Brian Wethers and Jason Crowe, the Pistons defeated the Auckland Stars 86–80 in the semi-finals before winning their third NBL championship with a 2–0 series win over the Wellington Saints in the finals. In game one, they won 95–78, and in game two, they won 84–79.[8][9][10]

In 2009, the Pistons won the minor premiership with a first-place finish and a 14–2 record.[11] Behind the likes of Cameron, Michael Fitchett, Thomas Abercrombie, Justin Bailey and Adam Ballinger, the Pistons defeated the Christchurch Cougars 96–89 in the semi-finals before winning their fourth NBL championship with a 2–0 series win over the Nelson Giants in the finals. In game one, they won 81–69, and in game two, they won 94–84.[12][13][14][15]

In 2010, the Pistons finished second in the regular season with a 13–5 record.[16] Behind the likes of Abercrombie, Hayden Allen, Alex Pledger and Rashad Tucker, the Pistons reached their third straight finals series with a 74–62 win over the Nelson Giants in the semi-finals.[17] In the finals, they were defeated 2–1 by the Saints, winning 80–74 in game one, before losing 98–69 in game two and 82–79 in game three.[18][19]

In October 2011, the Pistons were withdrawn from the NBL after the Waikato Basketball Council (WBC) decided to make community basketball its top priority.[1] In November 2012, the WBC were granted a three-year NBL licence and thus re-entered the Pistons into the NBL for the 2013 season.[20] However, two years later, in November 2014, the Pistons were withdrawn by the WBC once again after they felt their resources were better placed on less expensive development operations.[21]

CBL team

Between 2005 and 2007, Waikato's second division CBL team, the Waikato Titans, won three straight championships under coach Jeff Green.[22][23] The Titans also made the 2008 CBL final, where they lost to the Wellington Saints.[24][25][26]

References

  1. ^ a b Anderson, Ian (27 October 2011). "Waikato Pistons out of 2012 national league". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  2. ^ Waikato Pistons back in the action
  3. ^ Waikato Pistons pull out of NBL competition
  4. ^ "2001 National Basketball League". Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015.
  5. ^ "2002 National Basketball League". Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015.
  6. ^ "2003 National Basketball League". Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012.
  7. ^ "2008 NBL Round 15". Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013.
  8. ^ "2008 NBL Playoffs". Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013.
  9. ^ "2008 NBL Finals". Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013.
  10. ^ "Pistons Pride!". Basketball.org.nz. 20 June 2008. Archived from the original on 2 July 2008.
  11. ^ "2009 NBL Quarter Finals Media Guide" (PDF). Saints.co.nz. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 February 2013.
  12. ^ "2009 Results Annual" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015.
  13. ^ Anderson, Ian (26 June 2009). "Piston power socks it to Nelson". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 28 June 2009.
  14. ^ Anderson, Ian (26 June 2009). "Waikato Pistons crowned again". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 27 June 2009.
  15. ^ "Basketball: Pistons clinch NBL series". nzherald.co.nz. 26 June 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  16. ^ "2010 NBL Quarter Finals Media Guide" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 February 2013.
  17. ^ McNae, Pete (26 June 2010). "Gallant Giants have final hopes wrecked". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  18. ^ "2010 Results Annual". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  19. ^ Anderson, Ian (2 July 2010). "End of the Pistons' fairytale". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  20. ^ Pistons return to NBL
  21. ^ Pistons Out Of 2015 NBL
  22. ^ "Titans CBL Three-peat". Basketball.org.nz. 28 August 2007. Archived from the original on 29 August 2007.
  23. ^ Green comes back in from the cold
  24. ^ "2008 Annual Results" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. p. 4. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  25. ^ Meikle, Hayden (1 September 2008). "Basketball: Satisfactory placing for Penguins". odt.co.nz. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  26. ^ "Shot at big time too early for Suns". nzherald.co.nz. 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
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