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Upsets take centrestage
THE South East Coast Basketball League men’s competition was thrown two upsets, with Lakers and Panthers both dropping their first game of the season.
While an upset on standings only, the top billing bout between Panthers and Cougars was anybody’s game from the tip off, with the game no closer to a winner when the teams were squared away at the first break.
The two teams were again inseparable at the half, before Cougars opened up a slender three quarter time lead as Dallas Jeffree began to find the bottom of the net.
Panthers kept fighting, but Cougars edged away in the final minutes to close out a 77-68 success.
Jeffree finished with a game high 32 points, but received assistance from Oliver Fearman (17) and Brendan Dening (13), while Panthers drew the bulk of their tally from Carl Teske (20), Jack Yeates (16) and Kyle Howe-Tipene (12).
Wizards set up their 59-55 win over Lakers in the second term, when they outscored their opponents 17-7.
Despite Ben Anderson taking control in the second half, Lakers were unable to reel in Wizards, falling four points short.
Anderson compiled 18 of his game high 29 points in the second half rally, with Jason Baron lending a helping hand with 11, but in the end it was Chris Mason (17), Michael Stephens (11) and Ben Brumby (10) who steered Wizards to victory.
A fourth quarter barrage propelled Bulldogs to victory over Roos, a 26-8 final term closing the door on any comeback hopes.
It was a two pronged attack for much of the night for Bulldogs, with Simon Berkefeld (20) and Tom Kosch (19) leading the fight, and finally getting their team across the line.
Resistance came from Daniel Peacock and Kym Hammond who tallied 14 and 13 points respectively.
Cats remain the only undefeated team in the SECBL after three weeks, recording a comfortable 89-58 win in the Millicent derby over Saints.
Cameron Haggett unleashed 22 points, 20 in the second half, while Reece Duncan (15), Fergus Hamilton (13), Sam Laucirica (13) and Nathan Chapple (10) also reached double figures for Cats.
Saints drew handy contributions from Gordon Fleming (15) and Matt Collins 12), but were never really in the hunt.
In the women’s competition, Cats endured their first loss of the season as Panthers overcame a half time deficit to storm to a 52-46 victory.
Down 16 at the half, Panthers reeled off 21-7 and 16-8 third and fourth quarters to leave Cats wondering what happened.
The chief destroyer for Panthers was Courtney Walters, whose 16 points was well supported by a 12 point cameo from Sonya Bawden.
Kate Seebohm had 15 of her game high 21 points for Cats in the first half before the well dried up, with Chantelle Fennell chipping in with 10.
It was a one basket thriller between Cougars and Bulldogs, with a last gasp shot attempt deciding the outcome.
Building a comfortable lead with 90 seconds remaining, Bulldogs watched as the margin was erased, with Cougars showing their poise down the stretch to close within two.
But a final heave failed to find the target, Bulldogs escaping with their second win of the season.
Four players reached double figures for Bulldogs, led by Michelle Trewartha’s 13 points and aided by 12 from Kari McGrath, 11 from Shelley Cornolo and 10 from Peta Simkin.
Narelle Ryan battled hard for her team high 14 points for Cougars, but not even support hands of 13 from Sam Dowdy and 11 from Maddie Wilson could get Cougars over the finish line.
Saints stamped their authority on the competition by handing out their second thumping of the season.
Having previously disposed of Cougars with little trouble, Saints brushed aside Roos 91-37 on Wednesday night.
Five players reached double figures for Saints, led by new recruit Rebecca Trench (24 points) and assisted by Nicole Butler (22), Demi Verbena (14), Hayley Agnew (14) and Kelsey Bromley (11), while Roos had just four players trouble the scorers, with just Aimee Marshall (15) and Chantelle Weir (12) making regular contributions.
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