BASKETBALL ACTION RETURNS TO ICEHOUSE.

 Inter-Association Basketball returns to the Ice House this weekend when Round 2 of the newly formed Limestone Coast Basketball Competitions will be played. Games tip off at 2pm on Saturday afternoon and continue on Sunday. The Limestone Coast Basketball Men’s and Women’s teams will each compete in six games over this period.

“These competitions are giving our senior players the opportunity to play basketball in these unpredictable times” claims Lakers Women’s Coach Bryan Green.

At 2pm the Women’s fixture begins with the Mount Gambier Lakers meet Keith, which comprises players from Keith and Bordertown along with Naracoorte versus Millicent.

The Keith Women pushed the Lakers in their Round 1 meeting at Keith. The Lakers gained composure in the final quarter to win by 10 points.

“This game at 2pm on Saturday is likely to again be a close and hard-fought contest” predicted Green.

Millicent women are the measuring stick at this stage and the Lakers Women will be hell-bent on turning in a better performance than the 30-point loss at Keith at 5.30pm on Saturday, according to Green.

On Sunday the Lakers Women are expected to win against a tenacious Naracoorte, but they will not be able to take the game lightly.

Millicent Women, based on Round 1 results, are expected to maintain their unbeaten record.

Naracoorte Women will be desperate to reverse their 7- point loss to Keith when they meet at 5.30pm on Saturday.

In sharp contrast, the Men’s competition is much more difficult to predict. All six games are likely to be tough with the outcomes being decided in the closing minutes. While Millicent finished Round 1undefeated, the Lakers and Keith both had chances to win their games against Millicent. Keith accounted for the Lakers after an arm wrestle for 3 quarters.

The Lakers Men face a tough assignment on Saturday when the meet Keith at 3.45pm followed by arch rival Millicent at 7.15pm. Keith’s Jordan Robertson proved to be the difference in their 10-point win over the Lakers in December

. The Lakers will be determined to turn the tables on Keith in the opening Men’s game of Round 2. Millicent’s ever consistent Josh Murphy scored a weekend high 33 points in the Lakers’ 2- point loss to Millicent in Round 1. This return contest on Saturday promises to be the feature game of the weekend because the Lakers team is likely to have a stronger line-up.

Bordertown Men were competitive in their three games under challenging conditions after the tragic death of a much loved and dedicated volunteer of the Association on the eve of Round 1. It is expected that the team will also be stronger for this weekend.

High interest will continue on Sunday when Keith Men take on Millicent at 12.15pm. The game could become the battle of the brothers, the Bradleys from Millicent against the Robertson’s from Keith and a possible dress rehearsal for the final in February.       

“All in all, this weekend promises to be the weekend for all to come to the Ice House and see some good standard basketball,” Green concluded.

Program for Limestone Basketball for this weekend.

Saturday Women 2pm Court 1 Naracoorte v Millicent.

                                   Court 3 Mount Gambier v Keith.

               Men 3.45pm Court 1 Keith v Mount Gambier.

                                     Court 3 Millicent v Bordertown.

              Women 5.30pm. Court 1 Millicent v Mount Gambier.

                                           Court 3 Keith v Naracoorte.

               Men 7.15pm Court 1 Mount Gambier v Millicent.

                                   Court 3 Keith v Bordertown.

Sunday Women 10.30am Court 1 Millicent v Keith.

                                        Court 3 Mount Gambier v Naracoorte.

             Men 12.15pm Court 1 Bordertown v Mount Gambier.

                                   Court 3 Millicent v Keith.