Breakers pulp Wildcats, 98 – 81
The top of the ladder clash saw the Wildcats run out to an early lead, the Vector Arena crowd fearing a repeat of the opening round slaughter. The Breakers finally kicked it in to gear and via Cedric Jackson, shaved the early deficit and then easily took the lead.
Whilst Kevin Lisch was having a quiet one, Matty Knight worked away inside and Damian Martin provided an offensive spark but it was no match for the relentlessness of the Breakers scoring; the Breakers easily breaking down the Wildcats usually tight zone which allowed a multitude of offensive rebounds, dropping 14 three pointers at 50% and generally outplaying the Wildcats.
For the Breakers, this a huge confidence boost for when it comes to finals, it is amazing what confidence can do on the court. Cedric Jackson finished with 22 points and 8 assists, whilst CJ Bruton and Corey Webster both chipped in with 14 points each.
For the Wildcats, this is the wakeup call they needed. Life has been pretty easy since Christmas, they only real challenge coming from the Crocs. Bear in mind in what many consider will be the teams playing off in the grand final the Wildcats are still a huge chance. Short term memories will forget that they have pounded the Breakers twice already this season.
Wollongong dispose of Adelaide, 86 – 78
Clarke has had more lives than a cat
Things keep going from bad to worse for Adelaide. Many A team many predicted to be playoff bound with their deep roster now find
themselves having another disappointing season, sitting at the bottom of the ladder, having their fans quit on them and unable to dispose of a team missing three of their starters; which really makes you wonder how many more lives Marty Clarke has left.
The Hawks lost Glen Saville this week die to forced retirement and they dug deep to come up with the emotional win, and that was the difference between the two teams, the Hawks played with heart whilst the 36ers just go through the motions of playing basketball. In what is becoming a regular scenario for Adelaide, Daniel Johnson led the team with 21 points whilst Stephen Weigh added 14.
In what is becoming a typical Wollongong trait, they managed to snap up a quality import guard. Malcolm Grant scoring a team high 21 points ondebut whilst Oscar Forman put up 18 points. Whilst the Hawks are seriously undermanned don’t write off their competitiveness.
Crocs take care of Kings, 90 – 78
Peter Crawford celebrated becoming the Crocs leading game player with a great game and a win against the Sydney Kings. Crawford put up 17 points on the night w2hilst fellow guards, Michael Cedar and Gary Ervin had 18 points and 15 points respectively.
PC. Our Angel
Townsville are in the charge for a playoff spot and since Luke Nevill joined the ship it is beginning to look possible. Though do not underestimate the Kings just yet, they are too looking for a playoff berth and though they were caught with their pants down tonight they have enough mongrel in them to put up a fight. Chief mongrel, James Harvey put up a team high 14 points, Ian Crosswhite had 13 and Ben Madgen and Corin Henry both had 12 points.
The race for third and fourth spot and that succulent playoffs spot is an interesting one, both the Crocs are the Kings are in the thick of it. We know we will be keeping a keen eye on these teams down the final stretch of the season.
Tigers defeat Taipans, 67 – 64
Another team looking to secure a playoffs spot is the Melbourne Tigers and they steered that quest in the right direction with a three point victory over the Cairns Taipans.
A Shane Edwards three pointer with three minutes to go gave the Taipans a 1 point lead then nothing happened for a the next couple of minutes. Seriously… nothing. Jamar Wilson threw up a brick, Jonny Flynn failed to use his teammates, a time out was called and the cheer leaders danced. Then finally Goulding hit a jumper with one and a half minutes to go, the Tigers would not lose the lead again. Jamar Wilson turned the ball over fumbling the inbounds pass. Seth Scott nailed a couple of free throws then Cairns’ decision making on the final play of the game was perplexing. Why were they even looking for a 2 pointer?
Whilst the finish to the game wasn’t as great as the small margin suggests, the crowd at the SNAHC was a good one. It’s good to the Melbournites get behind their team. Flynn had 21 points for the Tigers whilst Scott added 19. For the Taipans, Wilson finished with 19 and Edwards 17.
Perth Wildcats 80, Wollongong Hawks 52
The Wildcats flew back from Auckland whilst the Hawks flew from Adelaide for the second leg of the ‘Doomsday Double’ and after a bit of back and forwarding one team finally got a stranglehold on the game after half time; that team was the Perth Wildcats.
The Wildcats demonstrated some of the best defence the NBLL has seen in ages, holding the Hawks to 14 second half points. The difference statistically was huge, 40 rebounds to 27, 20 assists to 8, 12 steals to 2, 38 points in the paint to 10, 24 second chance points to 2. Wollongong has been through a lot lately, but this was something else, a tale of two halves and not a tale they’ll be hoping to repeat soon.
Whilst Shawn Redhage was busy scoring 19 points and Matty Knight pounded away inside for 13 points, it was Damian Martin who was doing the ‘real work’ finishing with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals and four assists.
For the Hawks, only Malcolm Grant (12 points) and Adris Deleon (14) points put up some resistance. The rest had pulled their suits out and headed to the stock exchange.
Can’t Buy a Damn Thing Award
Ben Allen must be wondering what happened to his pre & early season form. 17 rounds into the season, Allen managed a meagre three and a half minutes and mustered only 1 rebound in that time.
Gimme my Change Award
The Wildcats celebrated 30 years of more or less winning games and put on a legends curtain raiser prior to the Cats v Hawks tip off. It
James Crawford at half his current age
was great to see so many so many ‘old skool’ Wildcats waddling up and down the court, even managed to see JC throw down a couple of dunks at the ripe old age of 52.
Basically this was a lot of fun for the fans and though neither team exactly set it alight on the score board, it was a great aspect to see in the league. We have noticed that it’s available to watch on NBL.tv. So if you have yourself a login it is a great opportunity to see how the guys you either used to love or hate with a passion look now, or just see what Trevor Torrance looks like with no hair.
