Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers Coach Shayne Hampel was delighted with his side’s return to form following their hard-fought six-point win over SKILLED Goldfields Giants at Willetton Basketball Stadium.

“We didn’t play very well last night but we certainly came ready to play today,” Hampel said following the 95-89 win.

Rob Kampman was the star of the show with 33 points and nine rebounds – with Hampel admitting the 203cm import had a “point to prove” following Saturday night’s disapointing 12-point loss to Perry Lakes.

“They (Perry Lakes) did a job last night on him and we didn’t look after him enough but today we found him,” he said.

The 28-year-old had solid support from New Zealander Mark Jones (22 points and eight rebounds) and Alex Prince (16 points and 6 rebounds).

Goldfields put up a brave fight, with import Darnell Dialls (23 points and nine rebounds), captain Matthew Leske (17 points and eight points) and Jimmy Bowler (17 points) leading the way.

The visiting Giants had the better start, with big man Lordan Franich continuing his standout season – helping his side to a 16-7 lead midway through the opening term.

The reigning champions had an 8-0 run late in the quarter to peg the margin to a solitary point at the first break.

Kampman was deadly from the three-point line in the second period – leading a spirited 9-0 run after missing the majority of the first quarter with a cut above his right eye.

A sensational steal and layup from Leske gave Goldfields a much needed lift as they began to get themselves back into the game.

Two late free-throws to Leske cut the lead back to 48-41 at half-time.

Goldfields continued their fight-back in the second half, working tirelessly hard to snatch the lead late in the third term before a late flurry from the Tigers saw them lead 68-84 at the final change.

The final quarter was an arm wrestle, with the lead changing a number of times before Kampman asserted his dominance on the match with consecutive three-pointers.

Just as the Tigers looked home, a Leske shot from long-range followed by a layup from Bowler tied things up at 78-apiece.

Jones stole the lead back for Willetton when he was fouled in the paint, making his shot and scoring the resulting free-throw, this was one of three consecutive shots made by the 27-year-old.

Fittingly it was a Kampman three, his sixth for the afternoon, which put the result beyond doubt with two minutes remaining.

The Tigers now sit in fifth spot with two weeks remaining before finals, and will face a true test when they clash with East Perth on Friday night.

Article by Jordan McArdle at Willetton Basketball Stadium
Photo by Grant Lauterbach

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