E’s Recap by Caldy
This week the 'E's came up against fellow cellar dwellers "Savage Army", who were one of our two wins for the year. However, we expected a much improved team this time around. Starting short again, we had Stu fill in giving us 5 players - Simon, Hendo, Daniele, Troy and Stu. Being young we were a little worried that the other team might run us off our feet, and to their credit they started the game well, keeping with us for most of the first half with some good 3 point shooting. Unfortunately their defense was lacking allowing us to get easy cuts and multiple scoring opportunities. Stu kept our scoring ticking over and top scored with 24 points, Simon had a season high 14 points, Daniele had 9, Hendo had 8 and Troy had 3. Eventual winners 60-43, it could have been more however the opposition decided to play a full court press for the last 5 minutes, resulting in a number of turnovers (99% mine) and easy buckets.
We are actually in 7th spot now, just above PAOCBC Red D, not that I am pointing that out...just something I thought was interesting!!
Thanks to Ainoa for scoring, G man for coming to post game beers and importantly to Hendo for supplying the beers and snacks this week!! In Hendo's own words as he announced his intentions, "I hope you're sitting down...i'll bring beers this week", we were equal parts shocked and excited!*
*This is because Hendo doesn't normally stay for beers, however this week he did and also brought beers!
D’s Recap by Reggie
The Reds hit the court full of energy with a team of 8 keen to amend for a small loss the last time we faced the Adelaide All Stars. It was a fast paced opening, Jimmy got us on the scoreboard with a trey before the AAS went on a 9-0 run. Jimmy said “I’ll have none of that thanks” and hit another triple, Reggie drove and kissed one off the window, before Jimmy closed out the quarter with a deuce to take the lead 10-9. Lachie and Ethan started to get busy, LC getting to the line, cutting and going backdoor during the quarter, with Ethan icing one from outside and Connor hitting one under the rim, reward for several tough battles under the hoop. We were going basket for basket with AAS and were down a point at the half.
In the 2nd half, Reggie hit a long J and a couple of free throws, the Bish added a couple from the stripe and Lincoln scrapped and threw himself into the contest to help give us what would be our largest lead of the game of just 3 points. It was as tight as Warwick Capper’s shorts in his heyday. The Lunn father-son combination came to the fore for the end of the 3rd, Lunny hitting a couple of FGs including a nice cut to take the dish, Ethan just as good to close out the 3rd (perhaps jumping a little higher for his), only broken by Jimmy hitting his 3rd from downtown. But we were down 4 points at the last break.
Lachie kept running all game and was unlucky not to have more to his name, he opened our 4th quarter scoring before Ethan hit his second 3 pointer to get us just one point down. From there it was an arm wrestle, not much scoring, lots of fouls and we were down by 6 with 3 minutes to go. We slowed it down and sent AAS to the line a few times to try and claw back but despite a couple of buckets inside the last minute by Ethan & Reggie we couldn’t do it and went down by 8.
Final score 52-44, Jimmy 11, Ethan 10, Reggie 8.
A depleted C’s outfit – in terms of both numbers and mental strength – fronted up to play against the old rival. Given our blistering form (0-11), we were deservedly hot favourites to take this game. Unfortunately we only had 6 players including a few carrying some minor niggles. Saints on the other hand had a team the size of a football squad.
Saints shot out to an early lead thanks to some sloppy turnovers and poor defence. We regrouped a bit, knocked down a few shots but fell behind 12-23 at the half. Sammy Higham ghosted his way into the key a number of times for easy offensive boards and putbacks. Matt managed to nail a couple of threes and fill-in Nick played big.
With a few seconds left on the clock, Sam K got the ball inside and dropped in a clutch and-1 to bring us back within 13 points.
In the end, we ran out of gas and also weren’t very good.
Final score 38-51
Points: Nick 11, Sammy Higham 9, Matt Salis 9
Ladder position: 0- …. let’s not talk about it.
Other Results
A’s 56 defeat Hubtitans 49
Points: Reds Fill in 2 15, Cotton 13, Warnock 12
Ladder position: Currently 5th, a game back but with a good % - a chance to make finals.
B’s 53 lose to Moonshiners 75
Points: Gus Crawford 13, Mike 10, Riley 10
Ladder position: 5th by % only, play 4th place Forestville this week then the undefeated The Schvitz to finish the year. Fate in their own hands!
