The Sixty 30 Joondalup City Wolves have continued their strong start to the 2017 SBL season with a convincing on the road 89-76 victory against the Goldfields Giants in Kalgoorlie overnight.

The Wolves entered the game without arguably the league's best Australian, Trian ILIADIS, who had a pre-existing commitment. However, the depth and quality of the Wolves roster again came to the fore (and the floor!), with emerging star Jordan WELLSTEED playing big minutes to great effect, with 18pts and 11reb, along with 3 assists and 2 steals.

WELLSTEED, who trained for several months with the Wildcats DP program during the SBL offseason, will be a key player to watch in 2017, as his combination of greater minutes and confidence will yield the Wolfpack some stellar performances. 

However, the biggest performance storyline overnight was the dominance of one of the Wolves' most decorated and admired athletes, Damian MATACZ.

Coming off the bench, and with just 12:21 of 'on-court class' to his name, he put together a package of 20pts that included 10-13 from the stripe and a deadly overall 83FG%, assisted inside by both Richard ROSS and Wade GUERIN. 

This 'Matacz Masterclass' (...yes another for the SBL annals) is an ominous sign to the league. This re-structured Wolves team has been carefully composed to evenly distribute talent all the way through the roster. And with 2 wins from 2 starts, the on-court combinations and balance expertly delivered by Coach Ben ETTRIDGE and his Lieutenants is proving successful.

In a further tick for the 'old firm', Championship player Rhys SMYTH enjoyed some additional time at the point, and provided an industrious 12pts plus 5 assists and 4 steals in a sign that he is set for another big season and maintains a hunger for additional success with this highly-focussed group.

The largest lead for the game at one point was 27 points, but this was pegged back late, as the Wolves trialled some further combinations, and provided some 'country trip, on-court experience' to Young Guns Sam CURTIS, Jamie HEPBURN and Joel OFFEREINS - with the latter making his debut for the Wolfpack - congratulations and welcome Joel! 

 

Joondalup Wolves 89 def Goldfields Giants 76
in Kalgoorlie, Sat March 25

 

This Saturday evening (Sat April 1) both the WSBL and MSBL Wolves contest the Rockingham Flames at JBS.

- Women tip-off at 6pm
- Men tip-off at 8pm 

Make Joondalup Basketball Stadium YOUR destination of CHOICE!

 

Wolfpack Media