NBL Wrap - Round Six
State Basketball League players were again crucial in helping the Perth Wildcats record a 93-84 victory over the Melbourne Tigers in round six of the National Basketball League.
Although import guard Kevin Lisch led the way for Perth with 20 points and naturalised American Shawn Redhage was next best with 15, local players provided vital support to improve the defending champions’ record to 5-3.
Rockingham Flames centre Matthew Knight put in an impressive performance as he continues his return from injury, with 13 points and five rebounds, the best contribution from the four SBL players who suited up for the Wildcats.
Australian Central East Perth Eagles duo Damian Martin and Stephen Weigh added 10 points each, while Southlands Willetton Tigers forward Cameron Tovey had five points and seven rebounds.
Perth-born centre Luke Nevill was among Melbourne’s best, scoring 13 points, while fellow WA big man Matt Burston had 10 points and 12 boards.
SBL centres Daniel Johnson and Sam Harris were kept quiet for the Adelaide 36ers as they fell 87-71 on the road to the Cairns Taipans.
Johnson got into early foul trouble and was restricted to six points and seven rebounds from his 20 minutes on the court, with East Perth’s Harris grabbing a point and a rebound from limited minutes.
The Willetton big man didn’t fare much better as Adelaide lost the second game of their sunshine swing, defeated 77-73 by Townsville, with Johnson finishing with just five points. Harris didn’t play in that game.
Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks guard Peter Crawford had eight points, three rebounds and three assists for the Crocodiles.
Former Perry Lakes star and Wildcats development player Tom Garlepp had eight points and five rebounds for Gold Coast, which hosted Melbourne, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Tigers winning 85-82, their first victory of the year.
Elsewhere, Wollongong surprised New Zealand 73-57 in Auckland, led by Oscar Foreman (21 points, 11 rebounds). Next round, the Breakers host the Blaze, Townsville meets Melbourne, Wollongong play local rivals Sydney and Cairns travel to Perth.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Grant Lauterbach
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