BSBL 2022: Competition newbies in pulsating thriller as Bunbury senior basketball opening night tips off
The opening round of the Bunbury Senior Basketball League did not disappoint, with a solid catalogue of matches captivating a big crowd at the South West Sports Centre.
Aside from witnessing a series of household names go about their business in style, hoops fans got their first glimpse of the More Than Conquerors Basketball Club, who are competing in men’s A-grade for the first time.
Men - Bulls Maroon 80 (Trent Worthington 16 points, Clive Weeden 15) d Conquerors 78 (Wes Morgan 18, Noah Stewart 17)
In their inaugural BSBL A-grade match, Conquerors almost pulled off one of the greatest upset wins in the modern era of Bunbury club basketball.
Despite pitted against a quality Bulls Maroon team led by Clive Weeden, Cody Hill and Trent Worthington, the Conquerors showed no fear, with American import Wes Morgan getting the hot hand offensively inside the opening minutes.
Two quickfire shots from downtown by the competition newbies had Bulls Maroon on high alert, although given the experience at their disposal, panic did not set in.
Aware of what was required to steady the ship, Weeden imposed himself further in the paint, which generated a boatload of free-throw trips for his team.
A late three-pointer from Worthington gave Bulls Maroon a 10-point lead at the half, however, this game was anything but over.
Digging deep with unwavering belief in each other, Conquerors began the third term like a whirlwind and incredibly tied the game three minutes into the second half.
The remainder of the game was a superb showcase of men’s basketball, with all players going about their business in the correct spirit.
Despite a nailbiting nature of the final score, there was no angst or bitterness after the game, just two sides shaking hands and admiring the fantastic contest they had put on.
Women - Aces Navy 66 (Alira Fotu 24, Grace Adams 17) d Tornadoes Black 54 (Javene Fitch 20, Bree Chalk 14)
Aces Navy, a team filled with quality teenage-based talent, put rival teams on notice after recording a determined win over the women’s competition powerhouse.
While Tornadoes Black were missing Ebony Bilcich (football commitments), Kelly Bastow and Zaya Black, they still were able to put forward a competitive line up — with NBL1 West-experienced duo Javene Fitch and Skye Palmer in the starting five.
Shockwaves began to swirl around the South West Sports Centre, after Julieann Bissaker’s side were uncharacteristically sub-par in the first half.
Aside from being restricted offensively because of excellent defence (twice, they were held to four points over a six-minute period), Tornadoes Black players often were a tad tardy at getting their shots off.
Held to a miserly 13 points, with nine seconds left in the half, Bissaker’s side had one more opportunity to sink a shot before the interval, however, they took too long in the build up and did not put an attempt up.
This led to the experienced coach having a chat with her players at half-time, urging them to lift — and to their credit, they responded and played much better for the remainder of the game.
However, Alira Fotu and Grace Adams having productive evenings, Aces Navy remained in control, despite facing some resistance in the final minutes.
Men - Tornadoes Black 132 (Luc Perkins 30, Xavier Cotton 27) d Bulls 70 (Sugar Eaton 18, Jack Walker 18)
Coaching his first match since the end of the 2022 NBL1 West season with the South West Slammers, Shane Goff and Tornadoes Black made a big statement in their opening victory.
With no shortage of offensive weapons at his disposal, Tornadoes Black broke the game open early — and by midway in the second quarter, led by 30 points.
This margin only continued to inflate, with Luc Perkins and Xavier Cotton dazzling in the paint.
Goff downplayed the size of the victory, saying he was happy for his players to have had a run and gain some confidence.
Women - Tornadoes Red 64 (Lauren Vincent 15, Sarah Donovan 13) d Eaton Eagles 36 (Karinda Farrant 12, Jayarna Farrant 10)
Both sides took a little while to find their rhythm in this late tip-off, however, once Tornadoes Red got their bearings, they were able to run away with victory.
Sadly for the Eagles, they could be set for another frustrating season, with Karinda and Jayarna Farrant the only players who appear able to take control of a game and stop an opposing side’s momentum.
The duo combined for 22 of their side’s 36 points — while in contrast, Tornadoes Red had players queuing up to contribute.
Men - Bulls Gold 140 (Pharell Keats 33, Blake Fido 28) d Eaton Eagles 59 (Justin Bailye 12, Saxon Gunnell 10)
After a tough season, there was talk the Eagles men’s team would be going on a recruiting blitz in a bid to be more competitive.
Unless this help arrives soon, these brave Eagles players could be subjected to more harrowing defeats, which will not only do little for their confidence as emerging basketballers, but will reduce parity within the BSBL.
Against a ferocious Bulls Gold, there were times where the Eagles were unable to get out of their back court without turning the ball over, which almost inevitably resulted in points the other way.
Adopting a slick pass-and-move offence, Bulls Gold led 16-2 inside the opening five minutes, before the Eagles called time-out in a bid to stem the flow.
This pause did little to slow the roll of Pharell Keats (33 points), who was simply in everything. While he had no shortage of heads-up plays, his hustle at both ends mirrored a player playing as if his life depended on it.
Men - Tornadoes Red 87 (Harry Mooney 33, Jack Flynn 20) d Aces Sky 82 (Nathan Walsh 26, Cooper Metcalfe 22)
After falling in a 20-6 hole early, Tornadoes Red came from behind to defeat a spirited Aces Sky.
Despite missing a host of regulars, including Caleb Van De Griend (college), Sean Tilbrook’s side managed to stay composed and find a way to win.
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