At least there was one happy Nelsonian after the Southland Sharks beat the Nelson Giants 95-85 at the weekend.
Sharks forward Max Darling loves coming back to the city he grew up in after his family emigrated from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the West Indies.
The former Nelson College product, who went to Christ’s College for his final year, is just glad to be over a shocking run of injuries including a fractured eye socket while playing for the New Zealand Breakers.
“Sometimes you don’t realise how much you miss basketball until you are not playing it. I have been a bit unlucky with injuries but am feeling good now and getting the body right,” says the 25-year-old.
He was on minute restrictions in his third game back for his new side and contributed 10 points in his 15 minutes.
As well as draining a three pointer, Max used his 1.98m and 118kg frame to drive to the hoop.
“I love this team and the way they are trying to fit me in to impact the game.”
The Vincentian won two NBL titles with the Canterbury Rams and is right in the running for a third as the Sharks 10th straight win took the Southland outfit to the top of the table.
Also back in Nelson, and watching from the stands, was former Giant Hayden Jones who is based in Wisconsin.
“I obviously would have liked to have been out there playing but it is cool to sit back and watch,” quips the 19-year-old whose spark has been missed this season.
During his six week break back home, Hayden managed to play for the Nelson U20 side and helped it to finish third at the nationals in Porirua.
As for his US collegiate career, Hayden played 27 games in his freshman year with one start for the Badgers.
“I had a really good time and learnt a lot,” says the 1.98m guard who got used to fielding a constant question during his return to Nelson, had he grown taller.
“That’s what people are telling me.”
