Cougars claw sleeping Giants
A sensational all-round performance from Ty Harrelson led the Cockburn Cougars to a comprehensive 119-83 win over SKILLED Goldfields Giants at Wally Hagan Stadium on Sunday.
The Cougars bounced back from a shock three-point overtime loss to Perry Lakes Hawks, leading from start-to-finish to record their 10th win of the season.
Harrelson finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the home side, with import Stan Ocitti (22-points and 11-rebounds) and youngsters Damien Scott (19) and Steven Van Lit (16) also reaching double figures.
Matthew Rosinski was the shining light for Goldfields, scoring a game-high 40 points, Darnell Dialls (13-points) and Matthew Leske (10) also worked hard.
It was a tough road trip for the Giants, who lost to the top two sides on consecutive days for a fruitless weekend. Cockburn got off to a flying start, scoring the opening eight points of the match.
The home side was deadly from the three-point line, cruising their way to a 28-16 lead at quarter-time.
Talented 18-year-old Damien Scott was on fire in the second term, coming off the bench to score six consecutive points and further extend the Cougars’ lead.
Scott was one of four teenagers in Cockburn’s line up including Seva Chan (17-years-old), Mitch Mudie (18) and Steven Van Lit (19).
The Giants simply had no answers for the relentless pressure from the Cougars who took a commanding 65-35 advantage into the main break.
Only Rosinski managed to post double figures for Goldfields who were slipping further away.
Cockburn gave their bench some valuable game time, and they repaid the faith of coach Stephen Charlton by scoring a combined 46 compared to the Giants’ bench that could only manage eight.
Goldfields showed some fight in the second half, but it was too little too late as the Cougars ran out convincing 36-point victors.
Only percentage separate Cockburn and Lakeside at the top of the table, but last year’s runners-up have a game in hand.
Article by Jordan McArdle at Wally Hagan Stadium
Photo by Mick Cronin
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