Thurs 21st Jan.
Last night the Seahawks hosted the Div3 league leading Eastleigh Phoenix. Last time out, away, back in November the final difference was a 77pt loss as The Phoenix just pulled our defence apart and our lack of experience showed. This time however, we were ready to play.
The first quarter started amazing, with the Seahawks going big, with Timo and new arrival Luke in the guards, Dan, Hani and Myself down low. We ran, we drove, we played good offense, we hassled and got the steals and we soon 10-2 up, and we had the belief that we could really play these guys. Timo was the big scorer in the first adding 10 to his tally, but Luke had the perfect kick out 3-ball to open his Seahawks tally. It was 21-13 before a timeout by The Phoenix allowed them to re-group and mount a comback, led by Sherman (#4) and his 3 point shooting. The first ended 21-22.
The second started and we had gone a little stagnant on offence; relying on our 12-15ft mid range shots, rather than our penetrate dribble. They relied on big #14, Wright, to go inside and do the damage, no matter how many he missed, he had 3 or 4 attempts at put backs each time! They stretched it to 21-33 before Hani answered. Our offence was still working, good solid screens and good looks, and the ball was not dropping. Our defence was solid, getting good steals, and hassling the ball handler up top. But we couldnt match Wrights size and strength, and Shermans 3's.
The half ended 31-39. Although we had relied on the core 7 players, every player had the fight and belief that we could overcome the difference and push for the win.
The third gave the oppurtunity for some of the less experienced to get some minutes, and we started with Myles Rothenburg, suiting up for the senior team for the first time. He gave it his all, pushing himself on D, and found himself wide open in the corner to drop his first senior points! (We thought the shirt might come off and swung around his head!)
But then it was the Sherman show, penetrate dribble, kick out for the 3, didnt miss. Luke replied with another of his own, but soon they had shown their class and stretched it to 40-57. I found the net from 3-range to cut the lead (but then clanged 2 from the line). However we were finding our driving was sending us to the line. Hani and Timo constantly ran, Gabe was shaking and leaving the bigger, slower guys for dead, Rakhat was driving well, but failed to find the bottom of the net. Dan added a few, showing his versatility from midrange or going in strong. Chapman had a good few minutes too: good couple of steals and hassle D helped pile of the pressure, plus some assists from running the floor down the other. But their offence was too strong. The third ended 46 - 68. (15-29 in the quarter)
The 4th, we had realised that the game had slipped away, but we kept pressing and running. Dan and Timo added more in their column but we couldnt contain their sharp shooting.
It ended 61-93.
Although its a 32 pt loss. It really doesnt do justice for the way we played. To be down by 8 at the half to a squad of Div1 players and current Div3 leaders, we could hold our heads high. The only times we have outscored this 61pts, was our win against the Classics (66), and our great close game against the Predators (64). The second half was a little weaker on D, once they had found the weakness, but nothing to be shirked at.
Great Job Guys.
[Scorers: D Walker 17, T Schnabl 13, O Wood 9, H Mazloum 8, L Germon 6, G Angstwurm 4, M Rothenburg 2]
[Phoenix: M Wright 30, Sherman 27 (inc. 5 x 3FG)]
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