Deep in enemy territory Sam Mennenga set a new standard as he tried to keep the undermanned New Zealand Breakers in touch with one of the club’s longest standing rivals – now he needs to back it up.
A career best 40 points, 18 rebounds and five assists against the Perth Wildcats overnight Saturday was not enough to guide the team to a fourth win of the NBL season.
Twenty years ago Carlos Powell unleashed against the Melbourne Tigers scoring 50 points, 16 years ago Tall Black Kirk Penney had 49 points against the Adelaide 36ers – but they were different players to Mennenga.
The 24-year-old centre stepped up in the absence of guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who could be weeks away from taking the court again after picking up a lower leg injury.
Jackson-Cartwright was the go-to guy for the Breakers in the opening rounds and Mennenga proved he could be the one the injury-hit roster relied on in the cauldron of RAC Arena.
But backup was meant to be coming in the form of new import guard signing Nelson Weidemann. However, the German has been delayed, having yet to gain the necessary clearances to suit up.
So Mennenga will need his standout performance to be more than a one-off if the Breakers are to get their road trip back on track against the defending champion Sydney Kings in Canberra in Wednesday’s Ignite Cup game.
He will also need some help.
“For me it is not pressure, it is responsibility, and everyone wants responsibility,” Mennenga said.
“I am excited to take that on board and back myself to help the team, at the end of the day my main focus is to get wins for the team.”
The Breakers are fifth on NBL ladder and are leading the Ignite Cup ladder after winning their first Cup game against [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/1665408/parker-jackson-cartwright-powers-breakers-to-nbl-win-over-taipans Cairns Taipans in Auckland.
The game against the Kings might have come at the right time. Sydney suffered their first loss of the season against the Adelaide 36ers on Sunday.
“We have done a good job of getting good shooters around us, but we need to limit our turnover count, control the unforced errors and guard better in one-on-one situations – do that and I think we are going to put ourselves in a situation to win.
“Sydney are dangerous in multiple areas, they have an MVP candidate in Kendric Davis, former MVP in Xavier Cooks, they are the reigning champions, so they are going to come out at a high level.
“They are a good fast paced team; we will need to match that.”
Carlin Davison is making his mark in the NBL.
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Tall Black Carlin Davison will play his 50th NBL game on Wednesday night, making him the first player from Taranaki to achieve that feat in the league.
Mennenga is excited for what the 23-year-old can bring.
“Carlin is super important to us; he is getting a little older and more mature and understanding what he can do and is taking that responsibility on board. He has been a great sponge, listening and learning.
“The talent is there, the athleticism ability to get to the rim, defensive presence. He understands the value he brings to the team and is ready to step up.”
The game in Canberra is the second of three road games before the team returns to Auckland.