Imports, Harrison shine for Bullets

The new-look Brisbane Bullets under Will Weaver played real opposition for the first time ahead of NBL27 with Tyrell Harrison and Nate Hinton combining for 46 points and 16 rebounds in 127-81 win over an NBL1 North Select team.

While difficult to judge against an opponent that is a mishmash of NBL1 North players still around and available to play this weekend after the season ended two weeks ago, there was a lot to be encouraged by if you are Weaver and the Bullets at the same time.

It has been an off-season of great change at the Bullets with Weaver arriving as both coach and president of basketball operations, and Saturday night Rowland Cowan Stadium in Carina was their first time coming together against an official opposition this pre-season.

Harrison showed how dominant he could be at times in NBL26 for the Bullets until being sidelined with another concussion scare. But he looks ready to take over in NBL27 after having 24 points, eight rebounds and two steals with 11/14 field goal shooting and in just over 19 minutes.

Then there's new import Hinton who showed exciting glimpses of what he'll be able to bring in a variety of areas producing 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Most of the Bullets roster for NBL27 was on hand to play aside from two of their shining lights from last season, Taine Murray and Jacob Holt, and they got off to a hot start at the home of the NBL1 North's Southern Districts Spartans.

Brisbane put up 31 points to 17 in the first quarter with Tyrell Harrison already dominant inside with 12 points while Arnas Velicka was running things nicely with seven points and three assists.

It was then another 37 points to 14 in the second frame for the Bullets with 13/24 shooting from the field and 5/13 from the outside to go into half-time leading 68-31 with Harrison up to 16 points and Mitch Norton hitting three triples for nine points.

The NBL1 North outfit even managed to outscore the Bullets 26 to 25 in the third quarter but Brisbane took over in the last with 34 to 24 on the way to the 46-point win.

The Bullets put up the 127 points with 51 per cent field goal shooting along with 15/43 from the outside and 20/27 at the foul line while pulling down 26 offensive rebounds.

On top of what Harrison and Nate Hinton provided the Bullets, Velicka also finished with 12 points and 13 assists with Max Mackinnon contributing 12 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Harry Rouhliadeff 11 points and seven rebounds.

Lat Mayen has moved back to Queensland after a season with the Perth Wildcats and then in the NBL1 West at the East Perth Eagles, and had 10 points, eight rebounds and three assists with Norton finishing with those nine points, Josh Duach nine points, Sam McDaniel eight points, five rebounds and five assists, and Jaylin Williams seven points and four steals.

Former Adelaide 36ers captain Brendan Teys, still playing in the NBL1 North at the Brisbane Capitals, top scored for the Select team with 21 points on 5/8 three-point shooting with Sean Murphy adding 18 points, five boards and three steals.

BRISBANE BULLETS 127 – NBL1 NORTH SELECT 81

Brisbane Bullets
Tyrell Harrison – 24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Nate Hinton – 22 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
Arnas Velicka – 12 points, 13 assists, 4 rebounds
Max Mackinnon – 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Harry Rouhliadeff – 11 points, 7 rebounds

NBL1 North Select
Brendan Teys – 21 points, 3 rebounds, 5/8 3PT
Sean Murphy – 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals
Isaih Tueta – 8 rebounds, 2 rebounds
Darryl McDowell-White Jr – 7 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals