MSBL Week 2 Review
The Perth Redbacks stung the Cockburn Cougars on Saturday night with an impressive 15 point, 97-82 win. It was coach against former team for CJ Jackson as he returned to Belmont Oasis, home of his former team to inflict some damage on the team many expected to be at the wrong end of the competition this year. However it was not to be for Jackson as his side plummeted to a shock loss as the Redbacks proved they would be a much bigger force than most predicted in 2007. French import Sami Driss played his first game for the club after paperwork came through for his clearance. After a win against Perry Lakes the night before, the Cougar faithful were confident of a win over the team who lost by 43 points to the Rockingham Flames in the opening round.
Sami Driss tries to connect on a tough lay up in his first game.
Both teams traded baskets until 5 points from Joel Wagner and a three from Ryan Neill opened up a 9 point lead to the home side. Sami Driss scored seven points in the quarter and Ryan Neill six to send the home team up 25-18 at the first break. For the visitors Andrew Musulin kept them in touch with six points and Rhett Della four.
Joel Wagner drives on the fast break for two of his 13 points.
Trouble hit for the Cougars in the second quarter when import Isaiah Fox got injured and had to be subbed out of the game. The Redbacks showed no mercy for the visitors and extended their lead from 6 points to 16 with Fox only able to sit on and watch as his side slid to a double digit deficit. The Redbacks went into the main break up by 14 points, much to the delight of the home crowd. Coach Jackson was left with major problems to address at the half.
The third quarter was a much closer affair as the Cougars looked to get back into the game. Many thought they would when Andrew Musulins free throw put them down by just 8 points with just over five minutes to play in the quarter. However the Redbacks hit four threes for the quarter to settle the Cougars charge. When Wade Horwood iced two free throws with just six seconds remaining he put the Redbacks lead back into double figures and gave the team a comfortable 11 point lead at the last break.
With Fox still out of the game the Cougars were looking for other players to step up and they did. When Andrew Musulin hit his first three for the game with young Gavin Field’s assist the Cougars were down by just 5 points. However the Cougars ran out of options and could manage just 8 more points for remaining seven minutes of the match, compared to the Redbacks 18. Former Wildcat Paul Pochintesta had 13 of his 27 points in the last quarter to ice the win for the Redbacks who now sit 1-1 and in tenth position on the ladder.
Pochintesta led all scorers for the match with 27 points and 5 rebounds. Jarrad Prior had 16 points in just 23 minutes of action in his first game from off season shoulder surgery. Sami Driss also played well in his first hit out amassing 14 points and 50% as well as pulling down 10 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists. However it was arguably Joel Wagner who put in the best on court performance, the 19 year old had 13 points at 50% from the floor as well as shooting 71% from the free throw line. Wagner also managed to distribute 12 assists with just 4 turnovers and reeled in 5 rebounds and got one steal.
Paul Pochintesta tries to get a tough shot off in traffic
The visitors came into the match having several players averaging large numbers but only Andrew Musulin could break the 20 point barrier on the night, scoring 21 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Robbie Plaucs was the next best Cougar with 16 and 5 rebounds. He was closely followed by former Redback Austin Bruton had 11 points in his 30 minutes of action and Rhett Della was the only other player in double figures with 10 points and an impressive 16 rebounds. Although the Cougars shot at 40% as a team and got off 11 more shot attempts than the Redbacks, some of their key players shot at a low clip which hurt them offensively. Both teams managed to get 50 rebounds and the Cougars only had one more turn over, but things just didn’t go their way on the night.
The Redbacks now head off to Wanneroo to face the Wolves with a new found confidence. However the Wolves will pose an entirely different problem, boasting an impressive front line of Damian Matacz (former Wildcat) and Jeff Dowdell (current Wildcat) who have both been posting 30+ point games. The Redbacks are very small in the big man department and will have to shoot the lights out against the Wolves and remain out of foul trouble in order to get the win, but they have certainly shown they are capable of it.
Sami Driss tries to connect on a tough lay up in his first game.
Both teams traded baskets until 5 points from Joel Wagner and a three from Ryan Neill opened up a 9 point lead to the home side. Sami Driss scored seven points in the quarter and Ryan Neill six to send the home team up 25-18 at the first break. For the visitors Andrew Musulin kept them in touch with six points and Rhett Della four.
Joel Wagner drives on the fast break for two of his 13 points.
Trouble hit for the Cougars in the second quarter when import Isaiah Fox got injured and had to be subbed out of the game. The Redbacks showed no mercy for the visitors and extended their lead from 6 points to 16 with Fox only able to sit on and watch as his side slid to a double digit deficit. The Redbacks went into the main break up by 14 points, much to the delight of the home crowd. Coach Jackson was left with major problems to address at the half.
The third quarter was a much closer affair as the Cougars looked to get back into the game. Many thought they would when Andrew Musulins free throw put them down by just 8 points with just over five minutes to play in the quarter. However the Redbacks hit four threes for the quarter to settle the Cougars charge. When Wade Horwood iced two free throws with just six seconds remaining he put the Redbacks lead back into double figures and gave the team a comfortable 11 point lead at the last break.
With Fox still out of the game the Cougars were looking for other players to step up and they did. When Andrew Musulin hit his first three for the game with young Gavin Field’s assist the Cougars were down by just 5 points. However the Cougars ran out of options and could manage just 8 more points for remaining seven minutes of the match, compared to the Redbacks 18. Former Wildcat Paul Pochintesta had 13 of his 27 points in the last quarter to ice the win for the Redbacks who now sit 1-1 and in tenth position on the ladder.
Pochintesta led all scorers for the match with 27 points and 5 rebounds. Jarrad Prior had 16 points in just 23 minutes of action in his first game from off season shoulder surgery. Sami Driss also played well in his first hit out amassing 14 points and 50% as well as pulling down 10 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists. However it was arguably Joel Wagner who put in the best on court performance, the 19 year old had 13 points at 50% from the floor as well as shooting 71% from the free throw line. Wagner also managed to distribute 12 assists with just 4 turnovers and reeled in 5 rebounds and got one steal.
Paul Pochintesta tries to get a tough shot off in traffic
The visitors came into the match having several players averaging large numbers but only Andrew Musulin could break the 20 point barrier on the night, scoring 21 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Robbie Plaucs was the next best Cougar with 16 and 5 rebounds. He was closely followed by former Redback Austin Bruton had 11 points in his 30 minutes of action and Rhett Della was the only other player in double figures with 10 points and an impressive 16 rebounds. Although the Cougars shot at 40% as a team and got off 11 more shot attempts than the Redbacks, some of their key players shot at a low clip which hurt them offensively. Both teams managed to get 50 rebounds and the Cougars only had one more turn over, but things just didn’t go their way on the night.
The Redbacks now head off to Wanneroo to face the Wolves with a new found confidence. However the Wolves will pose an entirely different problem, boasting an impressive front line of Damian Matacz (former Wildcat) and Jeff Dowdell (current Wildcat) who have both been posting 30+ point games. The Redbacks are very small in the big man department and will have to shoot the lights out against the Wolves and remain out of foul trouble in order to get the win, but they have certainly shown they are capable of it.
Last Modified on 14/01/2010 20:41
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