Eagles soar for first win (Round 4 men's wrap)
East Perth Eagles finally broke through for their much-needed first win of the 2012 men's State Basketball League season with a 115-102 round four win against Kalamunda Eastern Suns.
The Eagles, quarter-finalists in each of the past two seasons, had lost their first four games but got their season back on track with a 115-102 triumph that came thanks to Jarrod Balcombe's 27 points.
Import Greg Palmer had 43 points for the Suns but his teammates couldn't back up their impressive effort to win at Goldfields the week before as they slumped to their fourth loss from five games.
The Giants bounced back from that shock loss to Kalamunda a week earlier with an upset 92-86 win against heated country rivals Geraldton Buccaneers.
Michael Haney's 27 points helped Goldfields come from behind for just its second win from five games, a result that also saw Geraldton drop out of the top eight with an identical win-loss record.
Defending champions Wanneroo Wolves sent an ominous warning to the league with a 113-89 mauling of Perry Lakes Hawks in a rematch of the 2011 Grand Final.
In the absence of captain Ben Purser, who was unavailable due to his NBL semi-final commitments, the Hawks were no match for third placed Wanneroo.
Rising star Jackson Hussey was the star for the Wolves, top-scoring with 40 points to help his side bounce back from its shock loss to Willetton a week earlier.
Perth Redbacks also stayed within touching distance of league leaders Lakeside thanks to a 110-77 thrashing of South West Slammers.
Incredibly, all three of the Slammers' home games have resulted in losses of more than 30 points after Ryan Neill's 38 points led Perth to the big win.
South West also fell 105-87 to southern rival Mandurah, which moved into fourth spot with the win.
The Lightning stayed clear on top after thrashing a woeful Stirling side 116-83.
Willetton's inconsistency continued, falling in an 85-84 thriller to Cockburn before belting winless Rockingham 115-94.
Brian Carlwell hit a pair of free-throws with four seconds left to earn the Cougars a derby victory that extended their winning streak to three games.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)
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