The Sixty 30 Joondalup City Wolves have opened the 2017 SBL season in fine fashion, securing two thrilling wins in front of an enormous home crowd of 601 patrons at the Joondalup Basketball Stadium.

With the opening round promoted as 'The Pack is Back' game; the Wolfpack Army did not disappoint, turning out in huge numbers and displaying passion all night. 

Game reports courtesy of SBL Media, with thanks. 

 

WSBL
Joondalup Wolves 73 def Cockburn Cougars 71

The thriller of the Women's opening weekend was at Joondalup with the Lady Wolfpack coming from behind to beat the Cougars by two points in a rematch of last year's quarter-final series.

The Wolves went on to make the grand final from there and started the 2017 season with another win, but they had to earn it.

Chelsea Belcher was the star benefitting from her increased responsibility in the absence of Klara Wischer and Nikita Martin. She finished with a career-best 29 points and eight rebounds.

Shanice Swain is another player looking to stand up further in 2017 and had 14 points for the Wolves. Shani Amos contributed 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals, Ellyce Ironmonger in game 100 added nine points, 17 boards and eight assists.

 

MSBL
Joondalup Wolves 104 def Cockburn Cougars 101

 

The MSBL game of the round without doubt was at Joondalup in a rematch from last year's grand final. There might be personnel changes but the rivalry remains strong and the teams delivered a terrific contest.

Despite the eight less minutes this season, both still scored over 100 points and it was tight all night but it was the Wolfpack who prevailed by three points on their home floor against the defending champions.

Captain Seb Salinas showed he's got plenty left to give with 22 points for the Wolves with Richard Ross adding 16 points off the bench.

Trian Iliadis finished with 15 points and five assists, Rob Huntington 15 points and five boards, Damian Matacz 12 points and six rebounds, and the other new import Wade Guerin just the five points and five boards.

The Cougars have a new coach in Adam Nener and plenty of new faces including Jalen Billups who had 26 points and 13 rebounds in his SBL debut. Gavin Field returned from his elbow injury for 20 points, 10 boards and six assists.

Seva Chan is also back with the Cougars this year and had 15 points and four assists while Lochlan Cummings contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, and Jaarod Holmes 14 points.

 

This week the Wolves Men are on the road to Kalgoorlie to contest the Goldfields Giants, with the Lady Wolves having the country bye.