You only needed to hang around for a short time after Sunday’s match against New Zealand to see the lasting impact Kirk Penney left on the Hawks.
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While the sharpshooting Kiwi only played season at Illawarra, it was clear the impression he left on his old teammates won’t soon be forgotten.
The double header weekend was the first time Penney has played against Illawarra since making the switch back to New Zealand in the off-season.
Hawks guard Kevin White had the job of guarding the former Hawk on Sunday afternoon and enjoyed the experience.
"It is a lot of fun," White said.
"Kirk are great mates. We are going to catch up.
"He is staying in Wollongong for a couple more days so we are going to catch up and get coffee.
"It is the same when we play Kev Lisch. Playing guys like that where off the court you are really good mates with, it is a lot of fun but it is also a challenge.”
Penney had the Hawks’ measure in his first meeting against his former club on Friday night, scoring 16 points in the Breakers 100-85 win.
But White helped make sure Illawarra squared the ledger in the return leg on Sunday.