Wildcats annihilate Breakers, 89 – 64
It was the Wiggles who flexed the first muscle, pushing the NBL forward to a Thursday to allow time for the quartet and their side show to prepare for Wigglemania.
The Breakers travelled what must have felt like a billion miles across the Tasman and the Land Down Under to take on the Wildcats at the Perth Arena. Coming off two straight losses to the Adelaide 36ers the Wildcats had ‘Friday on their mind’ (get it… The Easybeats), even if that was they day to travel to the other side of the country for the second leg of their round 8 double.
Cedric Jackson tried to make an impact early, the crafty import wowing the crowd with a beautiful behind the back layup before the Breaker offence dried up. Whether the Breakers were lethargic or the Wildcats were hot no one really cares. This game will be remembered for Shawn Redhage throwing one down like the pre-hip injury Red-Dog of yesteryear.
Shawn Redhage finally had the type of game he expects scoring 20 points, fan favourite Kevin Lisch added 18 and Brad Robbins provided 11 points coming off the bench. For the Breakers, after a fast start Jackson finished with 15 points, Will Hudson added an almost invisible 12 points and Corey Webster rolled up eleven points.
Kings beat Snakes in OT, 83 – 76
Perhaps the most interesting game of the season was won by the most surprising team of the season. The Kings, considered ‘cellar dwellers’ by the greater basketball fraternity, hazed the Cairns Taipans in overtime and find themselves with a 6-4 record, but this win came not without a few scares. After leading by as much as 12 points half way through the game the Kings went cold allowing Cairns to dig deep and get back into the game.
Behind the Smiling Assassin (Jamar Crawford) and some dude who looks like my friend Dan’s friend (Brad Hill), the Snakes pegged the deficit, much to the delight of the fans. Aaron Bruce must be kicking himself square in the nuts missing a free throw that could have won the game, Dusty Rychart nailing on at the end of regulation to force overtime. The Snakes missed some good looks that the Kings capitalised on. When the Taipans resorted to late game fouling, you knew it was going to go the Kings.
Ben Madgen is still on fire, this week adding 29 points if little else, Corin Henry added 15 points and Darnell Lazare collected 12 boards on his way to 15 points. Wilson scored 19 for the Snakes, Hill 15 and Cam Tragardh added 12 points and tried his hand at rebounding, collecting 11.
Perth Wildcats 68 – Townsville Crocs 63
Eight seconds into the game and it felt like Wildcats were in control and going to go on for a very easy win. Kevin Lisch was making shooting look easy, the defence was forcing a lot of turnovers, Russell Hinder was redefining the term “douchness” and even Cam Tovey was scoring points.
Then a brainfart from backup point guard and jesus lookalike, Brad Robbins caused the momentum to swing and the Crocs started to fire on more than one cylinder. Gary Ervin energetically bringing the Crocs back into it, spurred on by the two Townsville cheerleaders the Crocs had a chance see their first win of the season.
Now, usually teams try their best to win games but the Corcs and the Wildcats were doing their best to lose it, both teams missing wide open shots and making foolish plays late in the game, unluckily for the Crocs, they haven’t learned to win yet, going down by two and half times their number of cheerleaders. Ervin collected 19 points, six boards and seven assists, Peter Crawford and Todd Blanchfield, who overcame an early injury scare both chipped in with 11. The Wildcats capped off a hectic weekend with two wins. Kevin Lisch and Matty Knight scored 15 points each and Jesse Wagstaff scored 11.
Watch out for Lischy’s flying kick
Wollongong Hawks defeat Melbourne Tigers, 74 – 68
What can we say that hasn’t been said about the Wollongong Hawks before? For a team that some perceive doesn’t have a lot of individual talent their ability to play as a cohesive unit is unfounded. But I’ll tell you what, this Hawks roster has more talent on it than the one that went to the grand final a few seasons back, and that could be scary for the rest of the league, but here is the other thing, 8 rounds in and they have played two games against top 4 teams and 6 against the bottom four.
Johnny Flynn tried to single-handedly beat the Hawks and its easily to see why when Chris Goulding fired 1/10, Lucas Walker 3/8 and Liam Rush 3/7 from the field. Flynn finished with 19 points and 8 assists whilst the rest of the Tigers were fairly stock exchange, Seth Scott and Adam Ballinger not their usual dominant selves in the paint.
The Hawks just did what they usually do, pass the ball well and find the right shots to take, sharpshooter Oscar Forman the only Hawk not to nail a shot. Forman’s night in the office wasn’t that great, 0/9 from the field however collecting 9 boards may be a little redeeming. Adris Deleon finished with 19 points, Saville 15 and Larry Davidson 12.
Fosby Flop
Can’t Buy a Damn Thing Award
The Crocs better hurry up and win a game as it getting boring giving them this award each week… But hey! At least they are winning something.
Gimme my change award.
Yes, the dunk was fairly vanilla but the sheer shock and amazement of 12,000 fans when Shawn Redhage did the almost unthinkable and dunking it against the Breakers. We’re certain even his team mates didn’t think he had it in him. Throw it down big fella, throw it down. You can have all the BBQ you want.
