Waikato Pistons - Pistons Since 2000

Pistons Since 2000

In 2000 the Pistons were called the Warriors. This changed the next year to the Titans then again in 2007 to the Pistons to account for the fact that Hamilton was hosting the V8 Supercars. In 2000 the Warriors lost in the semi-final to the Nelson Giants 105-100 with import Darryl Johnson top scoring for the Warriors with 27 points along with 19 rebounds, Phil Jones of the Giants top scored for them with 25 points. In 2001 the newly named Titans enjoyed much success winning the NBL championship for the first time under new head coach Jeff Green. Clifton Bush top scored in this game with 26 points and 11 rebounds. They beat the Wellington Saints. The same thing happened the next year, Jeff Green coached the Titans to the championship for the second year running beating the Nelson Giants 85-83. Brendon Pongia top scored in this game with 17. The next was much of the same except the Titans lost the final to Wellington 97-88 with the top scorer Pero Cameron. The next year saw a change in coaching with the Titans bringing in Tim McTamney to coach them. They finished sixth with a record of 10 wins and 8 losses. The next season was the best under McTamney with the Titans losing in the semi-final to the Nelson Giants 77-65. The top scorer was Greg Lewis with 22 points. The next year was the worst the Titans experienced finishing 9th overall with a record of 4 wins and 14 losses. The next year saw another change in coaching staff with Murray McMahon stepping into the shoes of head coach, this also saw the name change to the Pistons. This season ended with the Pistons losing the semi-final in overtime to the Nelson Giants 109-103 and the top scorer for the Pistons was Jason Crowe with 28. The next season was a fairytale season for the Pistons, once again bringing the winning feeling back to the Waikato, winning the championship over the Wellington Saints in a best of 3 series the Pistons won 2-0. The top scorers in these games were Jason Crowe with 26 in the first game and Pero Cameron with 20 in the second game. The next season saw another coaching changed after the sad death of Murray McMahon. Breakers assistant coach Dean Vickerman filled the head coach vacancy and led the Pistons to their second straight title, beating out the Nelson Giants 2-0 in a best of 3 series. Top scorers were Adam Ballinger with 22 in the first game and Justin Bailey with 32 in the second game. In 2010 the Pistons made the finals again under Dean Vickerman, they came up against a strong Wellington Saints team, unfortunately losing the series 2-1. The top scorers in the games for the Pistons were Tom Abercrombie with 32 in the first game, Rashad Tucker with 18 in the second and Tom Abercrombie in game 3 with 29.