McVeigh, Hogg Put on Show at Blitz

Jack McVeigh became one of the stories of last NBL season stepping up as a four man and he's found someone to build a rivalry with in NBL23 after he and Cairns Taipans forward DJ Hogg went blow for blow in Thursday's Tasmania JackJumpers' 100-81 win.

McVeigh and Hogg showed that they could very well be among the most potent power forward offensive weapons in NBL23 based on what they delivered in Thursday night in the last hit out at the Blitz for both teams.

The pair combined for 49 points on shooting 10/15 from three-point territory in Darwin with McVeigh scoring 13 of his 25 points in the second quarter, and Hogg 15 of his 24 in the third period.

In the end, the JackJumpers were on top the whole evening, though, to claim their second win at the Blitz. While the Taipans went winless, there were encouraging signs in the absence of Keanu Pinder, Majok Deng, Lat Mayen and Jonah Antonio while captain Tahjere McCall coached and didn’t play.

The JackJumpers were defensive masters last season on the way to the Grand Final, but they became the only team to hit 100 points at the Blitz in the win while hitting 15/32 from three-point range and collecting 37 rebounds to 26 for the game, and 13 offensive boards to two.

McVeigh top-scored with 25 points on 10/12 shooting and 5/6 from deep but development player Sean Macdonald grabbed his chance too with 18 points on 4/6 three-point shooting.

Rashard Kelly added 16 points and seven rebounds, Isaac White 14 points, eight boards and three assists, Tristan Forsyth eight points and seven rebounds, and Milton Doyle seven points and four assists.

While Hogg had 24 points on 5/9 shooting from deep for Cairns, Ben Ayre showed he's ready to make the most of his first NBL contract with 26 points on 5/9 shooting from downtown of his own.

Shannon Scott added 10 points for the Snakes, Mirko Djeric nine and Bul Kuol eight.

Jack McVeigh set the tone for what was going to be a massive half for the energetic JackJumpers forward by scoring the game's first five points before a couple of steadying Cairns baskets from Shannon Scott.

While Ben Ayre and DJ Hogg hit threes before quarter-time for the Snakes, the JackJumpers were impressive with an and-one from Rashard Kelly and triple from Isaac White helping them to the 25-16 advantage.

Kelly then converted another three-point play to open the second quarter for Tasmania before White hit a second three-pointer and Sean Macdonald landed one too, but Cairns stayed in touch with a pair of bombs from Ayre.

However, then it was time for McVeigh to take charge in remarkable fashion. Showing he's fully healthy having overcome a pre-season injury, he nailed three more long balls going into half-time along another bucket to end up with 20 points for the half with Tasmania on top 56-36.

The JackJumpers pulled down 28 boards to 11 for the first half including 11 at the offensive end to zero so Cairns captain Tahjere McCall who was coach for the evening had some work to do at the break.

Milton Doyle opened his account to push Tasmania's lead to 21 to start the second half, but then Hogg came to play. He knocked down three triples on three consecutive Taipans possessions.

He then scored inside and converted the three-point play to go on an individual 12-0 run to cut the deficit to nine. McVeigh then hit five quick points and the fascinating power forward match up was quite the spectacle.

Ayre then broke that battle up by hitting a couple more three-pointers of his own for the Snakes and they did get back as close as six. Tasmania's lead was still just seven by three quarter-time with Hogg hitting a buzzer-beating three for Cairns to give him 15 points in the third quarter alone.

The Snakes finally found their first offensive rebound two minutes into the fourth quarter thanks to Josh Davey, who else.

It led to a trademark three from Mirko Djeric. He nailed another soon after to make it a six-point game, but then Tasmania responded.

Another from long-range by White and then five more points from Macdonald helped the JackJumpers to close the game with a 16-3 run to claim the 19-point win. 

Both teams now turn their attention to next weekend's NBL23 Round 1 with the JackJumpers first up on Saturday night away to the South East Melbourne Phoenix before they will then host the Taipans on Monday night.

The NBL Blitz will wrap up on Friday night with the New Zealand Breakers playing the Sydney Kings, and then finally Melbourne United takes on the Brisbane Bullets.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL BLITZ – DAY 7

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 100 (McVeigh 25, Macdonald 18, Kelly 16)

CAIRNS TAIPANS 81 (Ayre 26, Hogg 24, Scott 10) 

BOX SCORE