Team-By-Team: Hooyah & Harden Up (Round 7, NBL26)

By Damon Lowery.

Author’s note – “HOOYAH” is the battle cry of the Navy Seals and is given out to celebrate great efforts & achievements.

A “HARDEN UP” is given out when a performance has not been at the expected level.

This is STRICTLY about basketball – it is NEVER personal.

Defeated Illawarra

HOOYAH – Bryce Cotton: Once again you figured out a way to overcome the another “stop Bryce” game plan. You manipulated the defence to the tune of 24 points and 9 assists, but it was your ability to get to the foul line 14 times that proved the difference.

HARDEN UP – Bryce Cotton: I’m here to give opinions, which we’re all entitled to do. I never make it personal and never take it personally but Bryce - you did.

Defeated Cairns, defeated by Sydney

HOOYAH – Jaylen Adams: Back to your damaging best against Cairns. You only needed 25 minutes to completely discombobulate the Taipans with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and got the job done.

HARDEN UP – All of you: You let the Kings treat your home court like a dance floor. They were out there getting jiggy with it while you guys were wall flowers. Losing by 37 in front of your home crowd is not what’s up.

Defeated by Brisbane, defeated Tasmania

HOOYAH – Andrew Andrews: You obviously enjoyed your first trip to Tasmania, but the JackJumpers didn’t enjoy watching you go nuts with 27 points. Great work, my man.

HARDEN UP – All of you: Brisbane handed you your asses and your sixth defeat by more than 25. These blowouts must stop.

Defeated by New Zealand and Adelaide

HOOYAH – Will Hickey: You are exactly what this team was missing - a calming but explosive presence in the backcourt. 20 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 blocks is phenomenal work. It wasn’t enough to get over the line against, but it has restored the faith.

HARDEN UP – All of you:Justin Tatum immediately apologised to the fans post-match, but you guys need to do the same. New Zealand came to town and held you to 60, winning by 42 - the biggest home defeat in franchise history. Good grief!

Defeated by Sydney

HOOYAH – Tyson Walker: That was one helluva performance, man. You led the team in points with 22. You led the team in rebounds with 9 (which is hard to do because you’ve got a Pterodactyl in Edwards in your team), and you added 5 assists in an all-around, awesome game.

HARDEN UP – Team defence: Your defence left a bit to be desired to start the game, and it annoyed the hell out of Dean Vickerman because he called a timeout after just two minutes post the tip. You allowed the Kings to get comfortable and go for 30 in the first quarter and that set the tone.

Defeated Illawarra

HOOYAH – Sam Mennenga: I’m running out of adjectives to describe how you’ve been playing. For Halloween, they cued the Friday the 13^th music you went full “Jason Voorhees”, terrorising the Hawks with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

HARDEN UP – You get a pass.This is for blowing a 24-point lead at home against a depleted Brisbane. I don’t know how coach Koponen sleeps at night. You put yourselves in winning positions then get in your own way with poor shot selection, lackadaisical defence, and ridiculous fouls. You’ve turned losing into a habit.

Defeated Tasmania, defeated by South East Melbourne

HOOYAH – Elijah Pepper: Way to ball out. You got hot and stayed hot scoring 19 points (including 5/6 threes). “Cayenne” Pepper has a nice ring to it.

HARDEN UP – Jo Lual-Acuil Jr: You’re one of the best players in the competition and I’m on record as being a big fan of yours and demanding you gets heaps of shots. With all that being said, 1 rebound in 30 minutes against the Phoenix can’t happen.

Defeated Perth

HOOYAH – Malique Lewis: Still only 20 and only had 2 points, so how do you get the HOOYAH? By proving you can still have a good game. With some NBA scouts in the house you played good defence, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out 6 assists, and had 4 steals. Great job, my young man.

HARDEN UP – Angus Glover's ankle: You had to be helped off the floor after jamming your ankle late in the game. You are tougher than woodpecker lips and will be back better than ever.

Defeated Brisbane and Melbourne

DOUBLE HOOYAH ALERT

HOOYAH – Xavier Cooks' teammates: You did an outstanding job of getting him involved early and often. Then ‘Xav’ showed why he was a league MVP with 24 points and 10 rebounds. I never lost faith.

HOOYAH – Kendric Davis: On the road against the undefeated United, the floor was littered with star power and you were the smallest one out there but stood tall like a giant! You unleashed your full scoring arsenal playing 35 minutes and scoring damn-near a point a minute finishing with 34 at 52 per cent. Simply incredible.

HARDEN UP – Makuach Maluach's knee: You played yourself into the rotation with defence, shot-making, and athleticism. Please don‘t keep him out too long.

Defeated by Perth and Cairns

HOOYAH – Bryce Hamilton: The polished and professional scorer from Pasadena, California was a headache for the Wildcats. 26 points on 73 per centshooting is serious business.

‍HARDEN UP – Offensive rebounds: Losing both games in Tasmania was a shock to my system, but giving up 15 offensive rebounds against Perth was equally shocking and a major factor in that loss. That’s not the ‘Jackie Way’

HOOYAH – Playing Cup Eve: Another sell out in Melbourne and another “must-see” or “go to” game to mark down on the calendar each season. Keep the tradition alive for years to come.

HARDEN UP – Broadcast blackout: I know it was the World Series decider, but how could we not stream the start of the Phoenix v Wildcats game somewhere? It’s 2025!