Buccs have set new benchmark
The Buccs coach said his players had set new benchmarks in their quest to bring glory back to Geraldton for the first time since 2000.
“It’s a funny one. The guys have won six in a row, but they aren’t very happy,” he said after their 108-99 victory at Tip Top stadium.
“But that’s good in a way because they still feel they’ve got work to do to improve and gel as a team.”
“Every game we play we’re adjusting. Hopefully we can hit our straps and play our best basketball come finals, because I honestly believe we’ve got a core group that can really challenge for the title.”
Saturday’s win put the Buccs at the top of the league ladder and relegated defending champions Lakeside to third, after they went down 103-97 against Wanneroo on Saturday.
The Buccs now face a blockbuster with the titleholders on Saturday, in the first of three Foundation weekend fixtures. Mandurah pushed the Buccs to the wire in the round 12 contest.
Paul Pantaleo smashed home a monster three from halfway to cut the Buccs’ lead to 55-54 at the major break. Magic import Taylor ullenax bagged a double to give the Magic a 71-67 lead in the third.
Brian Connelly, who took 20 points and eight rebounds, converted from the charity stripe and the Buccs led again, but Mandurah fought back to tie the scores 78-apiece at the final change.
Ryan Zamroz top scored for the Buccs with 37.
The American ignited a resurgence when he bombed in a triple at the start of the fourth term.
As Mandurah’s big men began to tire off the boards, the Buccs gathered momentum with a 10-point lead in the sprint finish.
Ben Pepper, 16 points and 10 rebounds, captain Matt Wundenberg, 11 points and 10 rebounds and Aaron Ralph, 10 points and four rebounds, all hit double points scores for the home side. American duo Mullenax and Casey Crevelone were Mandurah’s top point scorers with 32 and 24 points respectively.
Article by Thomas Davis (Geraldton Guardian)
Photo by Geraldton Guardian
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