Spartans Start Perfect
The Arrow Caravans & Towbars Brisbane Spartans have started their 2009 SEABL campaign in perfect form with two rare road wins against Mt Gambier Pioneers and the Kilsyth Cobras to be the only undefeated team in the Eastern Conference of the SEABL.
On Friday night, the Spartans burst out of the blocks early to seal the game after just twelve minutes of play leading 33 â 21 and further extending that lead after another twelve minutes outscoring the Pioneers 41 â 23 to enter the main break up by a commanding 30 points.
Spartans new recruit Ash Cannan was in a world of his own finishing the night with 26 points and 22 rebounds. Chris Goulding added 23 points and Greg Vanderjagt once again overcame a slow start to finish strong with 18 points and 8 rebounds to record a second straight win, 117 â 84.
The following night the Spartans travelled to Kilsyth, a site where last year they suffered a heart breaking one-point loss on the third game of a triple-header weekend.
Both teams begun lethargically with the Cobras ending the first quarter just four points ahead but relinquished that lead at the main break, leading by just one point, 56 â 55 with the game poised for a hard-slog second half.
However, someone forgot to tell Spartans guard, Chris Goulding. After a slow first half by his own standards, Goulding exploded for 22 of his 31 points in the third quarter, which included 5 three pointers and some electrifying, slick to moves to the basket that even drew the eyebrows of the strong Kilsyth crowd.
That quarter allowed the Spartans to pour in 35 points and keep the Cobras to just 19 points and the game was all but over. However, the Cobras mounted a strong comeback to bring themselves within 11 points midway through the fourth but it was all too late.
Former Singapore Slingers center Chris Cameron lead for the Cobras with 23 points and former Spartans forward, Gerard Leonard added a valuable 18 points.
The Spartans 108 â 97 win over the Kilsyth Cobras rockets the Spartans to the top of the Eastern Conference ladder.
The Carina Leagues Club Brisbane Lady Spartans are also unbeaten after two rounds. In Launceston, they welcomed new recruit, super-center Emma Randall to the fold and she didnât disappoint.
Leading the Lady Spartans to their first ever win over the Tornadoes, the Australian Opal dual Olympian lead all scorers with 25 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished out 6 assists enroot to a 19 point win, 81 â 62.
Next week the Lady Spartans enjoy the weekend off while the Brisbane Spartans men return home to Carina Basketball stadium to take on SEABL newcomers the Dandenong Rangers on Friday night at 7pm.
Southern Districts Members will receive free entry on presentation of their registration receipt or number.
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