It was a battle of the Eagles' tall timber and the Slammers' mosquito fleet at the Eaton Rec Centre on Saturday night.

 

A fast paced start to the game didn't open up on the scoreboard until consecutive baskets by the home team edged them clear with an early nine point margin with Tre Nichols key to the Slammers run. 

 

The visitors tried to temper Nichols' influence by sitting in zone but the Eagles inability to come up with consistent scores allowed Nichols to push his team in transition. The point guard also playing distributor sharing the spoils with assists to Puot and Douglas. 

 

East Perth did themselves no favours early with team foul trouble sending the home team to the stripe an unprecedented 11 times in the opening quarter. The Slammers hot start saw them end the first up by 17 points, 32-15.

 

The Eagles returned in the second with improved vigour and focus to tip the balance back their way as the Eagles began to break in transition and dominate inside. New recruit Kevin Davis also beginning to settle in and having an influence on the game.

 

At the half a tough second quarter by the visitors had the Slammers lead slashed to 3 points, 42-39. Drew Williamson had 14 while Michael Lay chipped in with 12 for the home team. 

 

The second half saw South West's offense consistently troubled by the stifling East Perth zone. A pair of Drew Williamson perimeter jump shots saw the Eagles take the lead midway through the third.

 

The home team resorted to ball reversal penetration on offense with some success, guards Puot and Nichols trying to break into the seams at the ring.

 

However, with Drew Williamson a man-possessed with 12 points in the third quarter and the crafty Dennis Tawhiti's growing influence inside, the Eagles held a 69-56 advantage. 

 

The fourth was an extension of the third as East Perth stayed in zone and the home team's shooting woes continuing. With six minutes to go in the game, the visitor's lead had extended to 20. Youngster Travis Durnin the only Slammer to have some luck from beyond the arc as he hit two 3's from the top of the arc, including one over an airborne and extended Kevin Davis hand. 

 

Both teams lost key players to fouls with 3 minutes to go (Tupea and Weeden) but the game was effectively over as a contest much earlier.

 

The game ended with the Eagles 86-75 victors.  Drew Williamson was his vintage best with 30 points for the visiting team while Michael Lay and Tre Nichols added 21 each for the home team.

 

The loss sees the Slammers start the season at 0-3, and the addition of Brian Voelkel in the coming weeks can't come soon enough. The team's early season games without Voelkel exposing a clear and distinct lack of depth.

 

East Perth will continue to get better as both Kevin Davis and Kevin Anthony build familiarity with their new team mates and Wildcat Development Player Mason Bragg returns to the team. 

 

Article by Vlad Alava
Photo by Vikki Hile