Isaac
Years ago
Ninnis and Hodge win monthly awards
The Adelaide 36ers have swept the National Basketball League's (NBL) monthly awards for December, with controversial import Julius Hodge taking Player of the Month honours, and mentor Scott Ninnis claiming Coach of the Month.Schenscher finished way too low in voting, surely?
The double-honour is undoubtedly bittersweet for the 36ers, who saw Hodge walk out on the club recently over a pay dispute. Hodge played six games for the 36ers in December, averaging a league-high 27.5 points as well as 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks. He also shot the ball at 59% from the field for the month.
Hodge won the award after polling 35 votes to finish ten clear of New Zealand Breakers superstar Kirk Penney (25), who previously took out the monthly award for October/November and is rapidly firming as a favourite to win the coveted Andrew Gaze Trophy for the League's Most Valuable Player. Perth Wildcats import Isiah Victor came third with 16 votes. In all, 15 players polled votes with all 10 teams represented amongst the vote-getters.
Scott Ninnis took out his first-ever NBL monthly coaching honour after polling 51 votes, to finish just clear of South Dragons mentor Brian Goorjian on 43. Townsville's Trevor Gleeson coming third on 18.
Ninnis guided his beloved 36ers to a 4-2 record for the month, with a positive points differential of plus-32 over the period. The 36ers claimed some big scalps during December, notching wins over reigning champions the Melbourne Tigers twice, as well as top six team the Townsville Crocodiles. In total six coaches polled votes for the December award.
The NBL's Player and Coach of the Month for December takes into account Rounds 12 to 16 inclusive. All NBL Head Coaches and accredited media are eligible to vote.
Here are the final numbers:
Player of the Month
Julius Hodge (Adelaide) 35
Kirk Penney (New Zealand) 25
Isiah Victor (Perth) 16
Matthew Knight (Sydney) 9
Tony Ronaldson (New Zealand) 9
Ian Crosswhite (Cairns) 8
Luke Schenscher (Adelaide) 7
Adam Ballinger (Adelaide) 6
Shawn Redhage (Perth) 4
Justin Bowen (Gold Coast) 4
Corey Williams (Townsville) 3
Ebi Ere (Melbourne) 3
Mark Worthington (South) 2
Kavossy Franklin (Wollongong) 1
Rhys Carter (South) 1
Coach of the Month
Scott Ninnis (Adelaide) 51
Brian Goorjian (South) 43
Trevor Gleeson (Townsville) 18
Rob Beveridge (Sydney) 14
Conner Henry (Perth) 4
Andrej Lemanis (New Zealand) 2
