SEAHAWKS BEAT SOUTHBOURNE DONKEYS IN LOCAL RIVALS FIXTURE.
Thurs 2nd March
With the game, league position and local bragging rights on the line, the Seahawks hosted Southbourne SwampDonkeys in a fixture that could determine the final standings in the league. We we knew the opposition and we had a game plan.
The first quarter was very too and fro, with teams trading baskets. We knew the Point Guard could control the game well, and knew their big, Tony, was a threat and our defence did exactly what it needed to. Let them shoot the outside shot and don't let them drive strong. With Myles in the middle playing high up, stopping middle cuts, and myself and Nik playing the posts they could post up and use his size and it worked. He was shut out in the first 10. Our offence was doing its job, although we hadn't quite found our range, we were rebounding brilliantly and getting put backs, running well, but using our heads too. Going inside to Nik was working and we had the scoreboard ticking over. 15-10 after one.
When we allowed #23 to shoot from the corner he found the bottom on the net twice, to open the 2nd quarter to give them the lead. Henry Lau grabbed us back the lead and then Nik added 6 more and 2 for myself, we stretched it to 25-18 and had a lead we would not give up for the rest of the game.
Against what is the next quickest, fittest team in the league we had to adjust as we weren't going to get the breaks we normally would (compare this game to the Jam for instance) and we had to work harder for our points. But good ball movement and clever, smart play kept us in the driving seat. Harry Warren and Henry Lau played great press defence forcing turnovers, whilst Gozim, Jack and Nik were solid underneath. After a buzzer beating tip in, it was 32-28 at the half.
With the help of Chris Mills on the bench, we could evaluate our performance more and adjust quicker to changes. The team starting to play a more mindful game and slower offence meant we had better looks. We still ran the ball when available, obviously, but with far less turnovers created we had more control. We still got called too many travels but in reality, that was the only thing that i'd criticise from tonight. Defence was strong and solid, with few cheap, silly fouls; with no-one in foul trouble, we had fouls to use at the critical end.
Henry Cheng started to find his rhythm and almost added a Seahawks first, 4 point play... which was then downgraded to a 2 point shot, and he missed the free throw anyway! Nik kept grabbing boards and getting put backs and some great moves in the post saw him post a season high 27 points (Sorry Nik, think you counted up wrong). It was 44-41 after 3 quarters and we knew it was going to the wire.
Although some players saw limited minutes, and with zero criticism of them, they did nothing wrong, we had to play the strongest 5 available down the stretch... and the 4th quarter saw their 7 players tire, and ours keep going. Nik added more to his tally, including a 3point play, I finally found the net, plus a brace of free throws, but this was won by clever smart basketball. When they pulled it to 48-45, we called a time-out and re-adjusted. Myles made a solid turnover, with good quick feet and well maintained hands, forced their point to just run off the court. Peter, Henry Lau and Gabe played good slow offence at the top, getting the ball moving and using our full 24 seconds. Their press was well played but we found the holes and used our heads to control the final minutes. Defensively, with fouls to give, we could play stronger, but still didn't commit anything silly. Some great blocks by Gozim and Nik, meant they didn't score in open play again. In the end, we just kept stretching them and when Henry Lau got the buzzer tip in, the quarter finished 15-5, and the final score wasn't that close.
59-46.
[Scorers: N Colonius 27, H Cheng 12, O Wood 10, G Angstwurm 5, H Lau 4, P Huang 1]
A great all-round game. Every player did their part, although again, some on limited minutes, the win is for all. Nik dropped 27, but it didn't feel like it when we played. Every player was getting the ball and moving it and taking their shots. Every player was running and giving their all. And boy does it feel good to get another Win.
We face the Storm next in the cup, and then back to St Peters for the away leg of this fixture.
With, Southbourne, Predators, Nets and Us all facing each other in the coming weeks, there is still loads to play for in this league. Already looking like our best season yet, can we dream of finishing 5th?? We are just behind Southbourne, with a game in hand. They face, Us, Predators and Nets. Whilst the Nets, who without a win, are below us, face Predators, Southbourne, then us... Its all to play for.
