THE Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers need to stay composed when they hit the front during games, according to new import Morgan Sabia.

The Buccs hit the lead in the third term of Saturday night’s game at Activewest Stadium, but fell to their fourth consecutive home loss of the season.

Seb Selinas led the Wanneroo Wolves with 31 points, connecting on seven of his 10 three-point attempts, in the 98-88 win for the second-placed side.

Jackson Hussey was also outstanding, scoring 13 points, securing 11 rebounds and making 10 assists.

Sabia, who made his Geraldton debut in the game after being cleared to play on Friday, said the team needed to learn to handle their emotions.

“We play well to a certain point and then when we take the lead or get level, what we did to get there just disappears,” he said.

“Our offence does not get stagnant, but we do not run our stuff, guys are freelancing because we are feeling good because we just came back.

“It probably is a case of composure and getting worked up in the moment, it happens, we are a bunch of emotional guys and it is something we have to work on.”

Sabia scored 10 points with six rebounds in 38 minutes of play.

The American said he wanted to pick up his work rate.

“I am a little upset with myself, I could have worked a bit harder to get the ball on the block but I have to keep reminding myself that it is my first important game I have played in about a year,” he said.

Daniel Thomas top-scored for the Buccs with 26 points while Michael Lay netted 23.

Wanneroo out-rebounded the Buccs 47-31 throughout the game.

Geraldton took the lead late in the third quarter with the score at 69-67.

That was the last time the blue and gold were on top of the scoreboard.

The Wolves extended their four point three-quartertime lead with the first eight points of the final term.

Despite the loss, Sabia said coach Ray Evans was not all negative during his postmatch speech.

“Wanneroo is a tough team, they won it last year and are second this year,” he said.

“We felt if we had put on a game like that against anyone else then we probably would have won.

“It was just unfortunate we ran into the defending champions.”

Article by Taylor Courtland (Geraldton Guardian)
Photo by Geraldton Guardian