The New Zealand Breakers say the lessons from last year's failed Australian National Basketball League campaign helped lift them to their latest championship win.
The Breakers celebrate with the ANBL trophy after winning the finals series 2-0 against the Taipans. Photo: Photosport
Listen to Breakers coach Dean Vickerman
The Breakers won their fourth ANBL title in five years in thrilling fashion after beating the Cairns Taipans 83-81 in Auckland with the final shot of the game.
The Breakers forward Ekene Ibekwe sunk a miracle shot on the fulltime buzzer and the coach Dean Vickerman says he couldn't have scripted such a dramatic finish.
In Vickerman's first season as head coach, the Breakers missed the playoffs after having won the previous three titles.
Their bounce back was completed yesterday and the assistant coach Paul Henare says it's nice to make amends after a poor first season as part of the coaching team.
"Obviously you know you never want to go through those sort of teething problems that we did last year but we got better for it and to go through that experience and I think everyone at the club we all learnt from our shortcomings and to be able to make those changes and finish off with another ring on your finger, it's a pretty awesome turnaround."
The Breakers guard Cedric Jackson was named the grand finals MVP.