Round one MSBL wrap
Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers and SKILLED Goldfields Giants both made nightmare starts to the men’s State Basketball League season, with both failing to win on their opening round road-trips.
The two regional powerhouses were well below their best for their doubleheaders, with Geraldton falling 91-69 to Mandurah Magic and 91-84 to Cockburn Cougars, while the Giants lost 85-80 to Kalamunda Eastern Suns and 90-83 to Wanneroo Wolves.
Both of the Buccaneers’ opponents finished well outside the top eight in 2010 but the absence of veteran centre Ben Pepper and imports Michael Lay and Todd Brown took their toll on last year’s semi-finalists.
Aaron Ralph, who had 56 points over the two games, and short-term signing Everard Bartlett were left to carry the load for Geraldton but they didn’t have enough help to lead their side to victory.
New Kalamunda import Dean Hadley scored 31 points to lead his side past the Giants, before Seb Salinas (20 points) and Wildcats development player Greg Hire (19 points and 22 rebounds) helped the Wolves to their thrilling win.
Giants import Matthew Rosinski had 56 points over his side’s two games, but he lacked support.
Wanneroo also beat Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks 94-79, as Hire (25 points and 19 rebounds) again impressed.
Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers suffered an early blow to their title defence as they fell 98-91 at home to Perth Redbacks.
The Tigers, who were without several key players, were blown away by former National Basketball League power forward Adrian Majstrovich, who had 42 points in his Redbacks debut.
Cockburn made a dream start to the season with their wins over the Buccaneers and ATD Stirling Senators, who they defeated 90-70 on Saturday thanks to Ty Harrelson’s 23 points.
Last year’s runner-up Lakeside Lightning thrashed Kalamunda 98-71, with import Ben Beran top-scoring with 29 points for the victors.
Australian Central East Perth Eagles beat Mandurah 105-78 as young forward Jarrod Balcombe (31 points) and off-season acquisition Colin Matteson (25 points) produced excellent performances.
Rhett Della Maddalenna had 26 points to lead Rockingham Flames to a 94-75 victory against Southwest Slammers.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Anni Fordham
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