Southland Sharks Dominate Hawkes Bay Hawks with a 117-93 Road Win in Sal’s NBL
The Southland Sharks put on an impressive offensive display away from home, defeating the Hawkes Bay Hawk Photo Credit: southlandsharks
The Southland Sharks picked up a convincing road victory against the Hawkes Bay Hawks on June 22, 2026, winning 117-93 in the Sal’s NBL New-Zealand. The result highlighted the Sharks’ offensive depth, with five players scoring 15 points or more in a well-rounded team effort.
Boone Leads a Balanced Sharks Attack
Keylan Boone was the standout performer of the night, finishing with 27 points and 8 rebounds in 31 minutes. He was far from alone, however. Tobias Cameron contributed 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in 33 minutes, while both Dane Bertinshaw and Caleb Asberry added 17 points each. Bertinshaw was particularly efficient, posting his 17 points in just 14 minutes off the bench. Asberry also chipped in 7 rebounds and 7 assists, making him one of the most complete performers on the floor. Brayden Inger rounded out the Sharks’ top five scorers with 15 points and 8 rebounds in 31 minutes.
The 24-point margin of victory reflects just how dominant Southland was throughout the contest. With multiple contributors stepping up, the Sharks proved difficult to contain for a Hawkes Bay side that simply could not match their firepower on the night.
Hawks Unable to Keep Pace Despite Grida’s Effort
The Hawkes Bay Hawks were not without their own bright spots. Daniel Grida was the team’s most impactful player, recording 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in just 24 minutes. Keanu Rasmussen added 17 points and 6 assists, while Kobe Kara chipped in 15 points. Jeremy McLaughlin and Ezrah Eagle contributed 13 and 12 points respectively, but the Hawks’ efforts were not enough to slow down a Sharks offense that was firing on all cylinders.
The Hawks, who reached the Sal’s NBL Finals in 2021 before falling to the Wellington Saints, will need to regroup after this heavy defeat. Their defense struggled to contain the Sharks’ multiple offensive weapons throughout the game.
The Sal’s NBL, New Zealand’s professional men’s basketball league founded in 1982, currently features 11 teams competing for one of the most coveted titles in Oceanian basketball. The Wellington Saints remain the most decorated franchise with 13 championships, while the Canterbury Rams are the reigning back-to-back champions, having claimed the title in both 2023 and 2024. The league continues to grow in visibility, with games broadcast on Sky and increasing attendance and digital engagement across the country.
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