Round two MSBL wrap
Lakeside Lightning sent a strong warning to the rest of the men’s State Basketball League with huge victories over Wanneroo Wolves and Perth Redbacks in round two.
Both the Wolves and the Redbacks entered their clashes against last year’s runner-up undefeated this campaign and both sides finished in the top five last season, but the Lightning were still able to smash Wanneroo 106-86 and Perth 128-92.
Wanneroo were without star forward Greg Hire, who was away with the Perth Wildcats squad and Lakeside took advantage of his absence, with import Ben Beran scoring 36 points from just 29 minutes to lead his side to victory.
The Redbacks beat defending champions Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers in round one, but Beran (30 points) ensured it was a different story against the side the Tigers beat in the 2010 Grand Final.
But Perth beat Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks in a 99-96 thriller the night before, with new Redbacks recruit Adrian Majstrovich again starring with 29 points.
Cockburn Cougars (3-0) and Rockingham Flames (2-0) were the only other undefeated sides at the end of the round.
New Cockburn import Stanley Ocitti had 33 points and 13 rebounds to carry his side to an 81-71 win over local rivals Willetton, despite fellow American Robert Kampan’s 30 points.
But the Tigers finally broke through for their first win of the season on Sunday, beating Mandurah Magic 81-70 thanks to Kampman, who again starred with 24 points.
Rockingham ensured Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers remained winless after three games with a 99-91 victory in the Midwest.
Former NBL centre Ben Pepper’s Geraldton return wasn’t enough as Kent Tribbet (36 points) led 2010’s 11th placed side past last-year’s semi-finalists.
SKILLED Goldfields Giants beat Australian Central East Perth Eagles in an 88-85 thriller, with new Giants import Matthew Rosinski scoring 31 points in his side’s first win of the season.
Kalamunda Eastern Suns import Dean Hadley had 31 points to help his side improve to 2-1 with a 95-81 over the winless Southwest Slammers.
Perry Lakes thrashed ATD Stirling Senators 111-93 on the back of Jesse Dixon’s 34 points.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Grant Lauterbach
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