Team-By-Team: Hooyah & Harden Up (Round 22, NBL26)

By Damon Lowery.

Author’s note – “HOOYAH” is the battle cry of the Navy Seals and is given out to celebrate great efforts & achievements.

A “HARDEN UP” is given out when a performance has not been at the expected level.

This is STRICTLY about basketball – it is NEVER personal.

Defeated by Perth

HOOYAH – Zylan Cheatham: You finished the regular season with another customary double-double. Congrats on leading the League in rebounding. Now it’s time for Playoff ‘Z’ to show up.

HARDEN UP – Mike Wells: This is an information based “Harden Up” for the 36ers’ coach. I couldn’t help but notice you getting a little testy in the handshake line after Jo Lual Acuil Jr. dunked the ball at the end of the game. I know it’s frowned upon in the NBA and disrespectful, but here it’s perfectly acceptable and teams play to the final buzzer – and nobody cares.

Defeated by Sydney

HOOYAH – Playing with heart: This is for punching the Kings in the mouth. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing when you had a nice first quarter to lead and showed what you’re capable of when everybody plays with heart

HARDEN UP – A season to forget: You drew the shortest of straws finishing your season playing the Kings, and after a competitive start, the wheels fell off and you lost by 40. Let your hair down now and regroup for next season.

Defeated by New Zealand

HOOYAH – Kody Stattmann: You’ve shown the masses what you’re capable of and earned an Australian Boomers call-up for the World Cup Qualifiers.

HARDEN UP – Jack McVeigh: I was hoping for one last scoring outburst but it didn’t happen. You were double teamed, which is a compliment, but I didn’t think I would see your lowest output of the season – 6 points on 3/11 field goal. The Orange Army and I are rapt to the back teeth you’ll be back next season though.

Defeated Tasmania

HOOYAH – JaVale McGee: It was great watching you play all season. You respected the game, the League and showed your class. One last double-double for old time sake – and now we all hope to see you back next season

HARDEN UP – JaVale McGee: You cop this one if it’s true you didn’t show up to your own team’s MVP night -which you won – and instead went to a basketball tournament in Melbourne.

Defeated South East Melbourne

HOOYAH – Milton Doyle: I see you getting ready for the post season. A team-high 25-points with 5 treys … don’t let the smooth taste fool you everyone, Milt will rip your heart out.

HARDEN UP - Fabijan Krslovic: You alright Fab? You played 12 minutes and didn’t have a point, rebound, assist, or steal. C’mon man, the team needs you and your championship DNA if you wanna make some noise in the post season.

Defeated Cairns

TRIPLE HOOYAH ALERT

‍HOOYAH – Parker Jackson-Cartwright: The President of the Lil Big Man Society, you finished the season on a high. You ran rings around the Taipans with 19 points, 13 assists and ZERO turnovers.

HOOYAH – Sam Mennenga: This is exactly how you ball when you’re out of contract. Fresh off a fractured wrist, you fractured the Taipans’ spirit with a dominant 32 points & 9 rebounds

HOOYAH – Carlin Davison: You showed up this season in your second year. You played all 33 games and notched your first double-double and only needed 16 minutes to do it. 15 points and 11 boards … I’m positive it won’t be your last.

HARDEN UP – Sean Bairstow: Sorry not sorry. You got the start and played 20 minutes and didn’t trouble the scorers. Zero points on 0/4 field goal. Have a good off-season and come back with a vengeance.

Defeated Adelaide

HOOYAH – Jesse Wagstaff: What year is this? You were fighting for your life playing a season-high 22 minutes, but produced a season-high 18 points and 7 boards. Great game, my man!

HARDEN UP – Dylan Windler and Ben Henshall: Two starters going scoreless? Can’t recall seeing that. Hopefully you’re saving the scoring explosions for the Playoffs.

Defeated by Melbourne

HOOYAH – Nathan Sobey: You had an unbelievable regular season, capped off with a 29 point, 7 rebound performance albeit in a loss. I haven’t seen ‘Playoff Sobey’ in a while and I can’t wait.

HARDEN UP – Offensive rebounds: Hmmm, I already had concerns with your defence and while you kept United under 100 points, you couldn’t keep them off the glass. Giving up 20 offensive rebounds is offensive.

Defeated Brisbane

DOUBLE HOOYAH ALERT

HOOYAH – Brian Goorjian: You started the season 3-5. You lost your best defender Bul Kuol, then Matthew Dellavedova for a stretch of games, and Xavier Cooks couldn’t find his mojo early on. You led from the front, fought, scrapped, and created strong player/coach relationships to finish the season on top. Just a masterful coaching performance.

HOOYAH  – Kendric Davis: You sat out the fourth and still had 31 on 13/15 field goal to go along with 8 assists, and ZERO turnovers. I’m all out of superlatives to describe you, man. Congrats on leading your team to the regular season championship. Now it’s really time to get down.

HARDEN UP – Tyler Robertson’s shoulder joint: DON'T YOU DARE KEEP THIS MAN OUT OF THE FINALS! Speedy recovery, my man.

Defeated by Illawarra

HOOYAH – Tyger Campbell: 17 points and NO turnovers. I’ve been a fan of your point guard play all season,particularly your tremendous ball security. You finished the regular season averaging just 1 turnover.

HARDEN UP – A bad ending: Losing by 33 in the last home game isn’t great, but it’s the 3/24 from the three-point line that needs to drastically change before your do or die Play-In game against Melbourne.

HOOYAH – The Ignite Cup Final: It was nothing short of sensational. I actually think it was damn-near the best game of the season. What an incredible initiative and fantastic way to finish the new in-season tournament. I was in the venue and the tension was palpable with that money on the line.

HARDEN UP – Up the ante: While the Ignite Cup Final was a huge success, I didn’t like the fact the losers got a slice of the pie. Next year, it’s gotta be “winner takes all”. Now,that would make it a dog fight on the court indeed.