Fast Break The Otago Nuggets reigned supreme for about two months last year. They won 11 of their first 13 games in a intoxicating run which left their previously beleaguered fans giddy with excitement.
Growth can be a mixed blessing.
Albion had to settle for second in the Bing Harris Shield but one of its stalwarts claimed the individual honours.
The National Basketball League resumes tonight and the Otago Nuggets will begin their campaign on Friday. Basketball writer Adrian Seconi examines the prospects of their nine opponents.
Steel wing attack Shannon Francois hopes the franchise has turned a corner with its historic win in Australia.
You can just see the headline now - sweet delivery from Mr Whippy.
Troy Payne is the containment man.
Tony McEntyre has probably done close to 100,000 squats during the best part of the past 20 years.
There is a first time for everything, right?
Otago avoided the wooden spoon with a comprehensive 106-win in a one-dayer against Central Districts at the University Oval yesterday.
Cricket writing is not just about long naps on the embankment at the University Oval and all-you-can-eat lunches, you know. Sometimes you actually have to watch what's happening in the middle. Otago Daily Times cricket writer Adrian Seconi looks back over his first 10 summers in the role, focusing on the domestic game.
Green Island has drafted in the big hitters to help it secure a sixth club title in seven years.
Otago can reflect on a good season, with one notable exception - its one-day campaign.
Cricket heavyweight Lalit Modi claims he has evidence of match fixing at the Champions League.
Defender Erena Mikaere might have permanently lost her comfortable seat on the bench.
Otago saved its worst batting display for its most important match and has been knocked out of contention in the Ford Trophy one-day competition after losing to Auckland by 73 runs at Eden Park Outer Oval yesterday.
There is a lot we do not know about the Otago Nuggets in 2014.
Warren Carter is definitely in the right place.
Steel strength and conditioning coach Simon Jones has some reassuring news - his players are ''10% to 15%'' fitter than last year.
Netball South chairman Paul Buckner does not believe an $8 increase to ticket prices this season has had an adverse effect on sales for the Steel-Fever game at the Edgar Centre today.
