Tight contests in SECBL action

Reigning premier Saints bounced back to record a win over Cougars after going down to sister team, Cats in Round 1, even though two of its key players did not suit up. Edie Easterby had a school commitment while Poppy Venn is recovering from an injury sustained in the Millicent Tournament.

Saints opened well only to see Cougars surge and dominate the second quarter, 25-10. Saints regrouped and applied sustained defence to level the score, 45 points apiece at three quarter time. The final quarter unfolded as a reverse of the second as Saints finished strongly to outscore Cougars by the same scoreline.

Macca Burke worked hard to cover the missing players and returned a game high 24 points, Nikeisha Facey, playing on permit with Saints for this season, played a solid game in the key as well as finding the hoop for 18 points.

Former Pioneer Maddi Wormald was dominant early for Cougars and recorded 24 points. Mikaela Horrigan was again a reliable contributor, finishing with 11 points while promising junior Shayden Russell continues to impress with a final tally of 12 points.

A depleted Cats line-up found it tough going when they hosted Roos. Ellie Bouchier dominated the first quarter and set up the visitors’ win, in the absence of Cats playing coach Alana Berkefeld. Roos led 47-29 at the final break. Cats however, played their best basketball in the final 10 minutes when they outscored Roos 21-16.

Bouchier finished with a personal tally of 20 points for Roos and was well supported by consistent players Macey Griffith and Lauran Norman. It was pleasing to see the quartet of young players, in Mylee Lynch, Ashlee Dean, Tayla Rowe and Emily Denton lift in momentum and show a degree of leadership on court in the final quarter.

RESULTS: Roos 65 (E. Bouchier 20, M. Griffith 16, L. Norman 11) d Cats 49 (M. Lynch 14, A. Dean 12, E. Denton 8, T. Rowe 8); Saints 70 (M. Burke 24, N. Facey 18, P. Paul 10) d Cougars 55 (M. Wormald 24, M. Horrigan 11, S. Russell 12); Bulldogs- BYE

The highlight of the night belongs to the new look Cougars Men’s side, who defeated reigning premier Saints by the narrowest of margins, 90-89, on the Saints’ home pine, Pioneers’ captain Kane deWit joined brother Toby to add talent and experience to the team. Quiet achiever and summer player Jordan Hollitt also suited up.

Two more talented players in Sam Stafford and Braiden Ousey are expected to join the team in the coming weeks. Saints sorely missed sharp shooter Jack Haggett sidelined by a niggling injury.

Saints led by one point at quarter time on the back of 12 points from Aussie Fuller. Saints increased their lead to 55-46 by virtue of a solid team effort, despite Cougars’ Toby deWit draining 14 points for the quarter.

Cougars closed the margin to 4, 68-72 at the final break. Cougars’ junior Ollie Pohlner then stepped up to sink three threes and contribute to his side’s exciting one point win. The talented and ever reliable Jackson Bowden was in good form for Saints while Kane deWit had a telling influence as on court leader for Cougars.

Panthers Men suffered a serious loss before the first jump ball of the SECBL season when Kyle Tipene suffered a severe ankle injury in the Lakers’ first CBL game of the season.

Roos men were also below full strength for their match against Panthers, who went on to record their first win for the season. After a rather ordinary first quarter, Roos had the better of the second and led 44-38. Panthers then turned the tables on Roos and impressed with a 34-10 period.

Roos rallied to stem the run to a degree in the final quarter but Panthers retained their firm grip on the game. Riley Thomson along with Teangi Stephens and state Junior Taj Brumby played well as did reliable Addi Noble, Jack Wilkinson and Zac Nulty for Roos.

RESULTS: Cougars 90 (T. deWit 35, O. Pohlner 23, K. deWit 18) d Saints 89 (J. Bowden 27, A. Fuller 23, J. Telfer 19); Panthers 90 (R. Thomson 20, T. Brumby 16, T. Stephens 16) d Roos 75 (A. Noble 31, J. Wilkinson 17, Z. Nulty 13); Bulldogs – BYE0