IT WAS a perfect start for the Domino’s Buccaneers State Basketball League finals campaign with a six-point victory over Cockburn Cougars on Saturday night.

Ray Evans men took victory with 111-105 score at the final buzzer after the teams were locked on equal scores at the first quarter and half time.

Cockburn came out the stronger of the two sides, surging to a ten point lead. Up to 100 Buccs fans graced the Wally Hagen Stadium and the away team found their feet with five three pointers and the two teams went in with 34-34 at the first change.

The scoring eased up in the second quarter but neither team was able to make any headway and the scores were level at half-time 54 apiece.

“Hopefully we can keep getting better there’s plenty to improve on, we know what we need to do we’ve just got to keep working.”

In the third quarter, the Buccs were made to work to protect their hoop on the rebound but they managed to open up a four point margin going into the final quarter. In the final term the Cougars, were unable to take charge and the Buccs maintained control to see out the result.

It is the second time the Buccs overcame the Cougars in respective weeks and they hold the edge going into the second game of the quarter finals at Top Tip Top home next Saturday.

Buccs captain Matt Wundenberg commended his teammates who all managed to get in on the act with points. He said the main aim is to put the quarter finals to bed in the next game at home.

“All the pressure’s on them they need two in a row and we just need the one, so we’ll come out on Saturday night and try and get it done,” said Wundenberg.

Tom Witts produced his best performance of the season so far picking up 27 points for the night at 71 per cent.

“From the start you could see Tom came ready to play, he was aggressive and he really took it to them, he had an awesome game,” said coach Evans.

Evans highlighted the Buccs’ defence was crucial to the victory but he said the Cougars could pose a threat in the next game.

“We played great defence which was the key for us. Everyone on the court did their bit,” he said.

“We’ve got to keep playing the way we are. They’re (Cockburn) are a good team and if we drop the intensity they will beat us so we need to keep it up,” said Evans.

Article by Tom Davis (Geraldton Guardian)
Photo by Mick Cronin