Another exciting round of basketball completed Wednesday at the Icehouse and Millicent Basketball Stadium.

 

Kicking off the night was an MG MATCH OF THE WEEK battle of youth between the Bullroos and Saints. It was tight early, neither team able to break free. Eventually the Saints spread their wings and flew past the Bullroo’s defense’s, in particular explosive Lacey Haines en route to a game high 26 points.On the other side of the ball Ellie Bouchier was back in fine form, notching 16 points and blocking every shot taken near her with terrific instincts and athleticism. The Bullroo’s sorely missed the services of Stella Mobbs, who’s out with a knee injury, and the Saints were too strong running out 21-point victors.

 

In the later match it was a cat fight between the Cougars and Panthers. Searching for their first win the Panthers were hungry from the jump and gained the ascendency. Alyssa Duncan was again strong with 15 points, whilst sharpshooter Tara Bryant found the bottom of the net with 12 and Joey Jones bounced back from a quiet week to score 13. The Cougars had four players in double figures, led by Keryl Ousey with 16 and Emily Dawe’s 15, but it wasn’t enough to scrounge a win with the Panthers getting over the line.

 

Every men’s game was highly competitive, with teams only breaking away on the scoreboard in the final minutes. In Millicent the Cats gave the Cougars everything they could handle, but it was the delectable de Wit’s that got the job done, a game high 33 for Pioneers guard Kane and 19 for Toby. They were aptly supported by the return of Sam Stafford with 10, and Josh Jenner with a handy 17. For the Cats it was the Bradley boys combining for 38 of their 68 points, 21 for Kade and 17 for Fraser. Whilst Jedd Telfer was strong with 16.

 

At the Icehouse the young Saints almost caused a boilover! Despite missing leading scorer Josh Murphy, the Saints played with youthful aggression, and it wasn’t until the final minutes that the experienced Panthers pulled away. The Panthers ball movement against the zone was beautiful at times, slicing through the Saints cracks with slick cutting and connection, worth the price of admission. Jackson Bowden was pick of the bunch for the Saints with a career high 24 points, whilst Kyle Tipene was best on court with a match high 35.

 

Those who stayed for the MG MATCH OF THE WEEK late game weren’t left disappointed with an old-fashioned shootout breaking out between the Roos and Doggies. Both teams came out strong, and the first quarter was a high scoring draw. In the second stanza it was the Bullies who broke away to establish a 10-point lead, but a spirited second half comeback led by young stars Mackye Baron and Zach Nulty surged the Roos back in front. It was neck and neck until the final minutes before the Joeys ran out of gas and the experienced dogs turned into a pack of sharks that smelt blood in the water. You can’t give Simon Berkefeld to many chances to beat you, he will take them. A valiant performance from the Roos coming up just short. SB (27 pts) best for the Bulldogs supported by state star Ben Young (20 pts) and Duncan Reid (19 pts). For the Roos, Baron dropped another 32 before exiting with cramps, Nulty notched 24 and Pioneers captain Tom Daly managed 25.

 

Thank you to our major sponsor MG Plasterers for supporting the SECBL and basketball in the Limestone Coast. Another terrific outcome was having 3 referees on each game at the Icehouse, led by new Referee Head Coach Ali Jones. Basketball is on the way up, jump on board!

 

WOMENS

Bullroos 40 def by Saints 61

Best: Bullroos – Ellie Bouchier. Saints Lacey Haines.

 

Cougars 57 def by Panthers 72

Best : Cougars – Keryl Ousey, Emily Dawe. Panthers: Alyssa Duncan, Joey Jones, Tara Bryant.

 

MENS

Cats 68 def by Panthers 79

Best: Cats – Kade Bradley, Fraser Bradley. Cougars – Kane de Wit, Toby de Wit, Josh Jenner

 

Panthers 84 def Saints 70

Best: Panthers - Kyle Tipene. Saints – Jackson Bowden

 

Bulldogs 116 def Roos 102

Best: Bulldogs – Simon Berkefeld, Ben Young. Roos: Mackye Baron, Zach Nulty, Tom Daly