The Rockingham Flames Men and Women had another double header in round six of the State Basketball League this past weekend firstly on the road against East Perth on Friday before returning home Saturday against Stirling.
 
The Lady Flames got off to a hot start on Friday at Morley against the Eagles with a 28-7 first quarter setting the tone for the game. The remaining three quarters saw the girls extend their lead as all players registered a made field goal with six of the Flames ending with double figure points.

The last term saw coach Petrik rotate his players as all of his charges played no less than 14 minutes with Casey Haggar playing the most (26) in a complete team effort.

Sherelle Johnson led the way with 18pts and 7rebs while some fantastic perimeter shooting from Ashlea Mackin Brown was a highlight as she landed 14pts on 4 of 5 beyond the three point ark in the Flames 92-56 demolition.

The Lady Flames took to the court with a 5-0 record on Saturday night against Stirling who were yet to break through for a win but the thought of taking the game lightly was never as issue as the girls opened with a 24-10 first term to get the wheels moving.

The second term was much tighter as the Flames missed some opportunities to shut their opponents out of the game but with a sizeable height advantage inside, captain Kaye Tucker had 18pts and 9rebs to half time which was the thorn in the Senators side. 

The third and fourth terms were once again evenly contested as the visitors refused to lie down but in the end the Flames extended their streak to six and reaffirmed their placing at the top of the standings with a 78-50 win.

Key contributors were Kaye Tucker 21pts and 13rebs, Sherelle Johnson who finished marginally short of a triple double ending the game with 19pts,11rebs and 6 assists and Gail Eikhoudt chipping in with 17pts and 6rebs.   

Now to the Men who were looking for redemption against an Eagles outfit who defeated them two weeks earlier at the Hot House but with Ryan Godfrey a noticeable inclusion coach Utley was confident of getting back in the winners circle.

The Flames got off to a strong start with all players who took the court getting in the scorers book and with Joey Harrell focussed early the Flames made a point of isolating him inside which created mismatch problems for the home side.

The second saw youngster Ryan Godfrey hit some timely shots from the perimeter to keep the Flames in front as they took a 50-42 lead into the locker rooms.

The third quarter was tight with neither team willing to give an inch but it was Godfrey again keeping the Flames in front and Dave Bown was injected into the game to provide intensity which he did with a three point bomb and solid defence at the other end.

The Flames had won each of the first three quarters but it was money time and the test was to see if the boys could hold off the gritty Eagles outfit. Fortunately for the Flames Travis Moore came through with some big buckets and Godfrey put the nail in the coffin with his fifth three point basket to bring home a 102-89 win.

Ryan Godfrey was the barometer finishing with 21pts while captain Travis Moore had 21 also to go along with 12 rebounds and Trent Gerovich had 18pts.

The Flames looked to capatalise on the confidence they gained against Stirling on the following night but trailed the Senators at quarter time with former Flame Carmie Olowoyo doing the damage early.

The second saw the Flames turn the table outscoring the visitors 27-20 with Utley’s second unit providing a spark as Van Lit, Colley and Jeffrey all got in the act to take a one point lead at the main break.

The third term was a shoot out as both teams pilled on the points but with captain Travis Moore causing havoc inside the Senators could only watch as import Edward Morris sat from the sideline with five fouls.

Going into the last the Flames saw the finishing line as they held a slim five point margin but with the team having fourth quarter issues through the season to date it was going to be vital their wasn’t another fadeout.

Within the opening two minutes of the fourth the Senators had regained the lead behind Olowoyo's hot hand and from that point on they never looked back hitting some massive baskets down the stretch to claim a 99-89 win which has the Flames sitting with a 2-6 record (12th place on the standings).

Olowoyo ended the game with a 35 point haul at 63% which was the difference but Travis Moore led from the front with 23pts and 7rebs while Ryan Godfrey had 16pts and Joey Harrell 15pts to accompany 7rebs.

This weekend will see both teams with just one game, against the Wanneroo Wolves at home this Friday night. The Women will tip-off at 6:30pm while the Men will take to the court at 8:30pm.

Article Courtesy of Rockingham Flames