Lakeside smash Hawks (Friday night Blitz wrap)
Lakeside Lightning sent an early ominous warning to the rest of the men's State Basketball League with a 72-34 thrashing of Perry Lakes Hawks in the Pre-Season Blitz on Friday.
The Lightning, last season's minor premiers who were bundled out in the semi-finals by Perry Lakes, showed the off-season retirement of starting guard Steve Butler wouldn't slow them down too much with the easy win.
Lakeside incredibly went 16-0 up early in the shortened game against the under-strength Hawks, who lost the 2011 Grand Final, and the result was never in doubt from there.
Mandurah Magic provided the biggest shock of the night, beating defending champions Wanneroo Wolves 51-42.
The Magic missed the playoffs in 2011 but showed hugely positive signs in the win, albeit against a Wanneroo side missing several key players.
Willetton Tigers made a victorious start under new coach Matt Foster, fighting off a late comeback to beat Kalamunda Eastern Suns 45-37.
In other results, Perth annihilated fellow 2011 finalists East Perth 49-24, Stirling beat Cockburn 61-45 and Rockingham suffered a disappointing 49-37 loss to the Under 18 Metro men's side.
Last year's wooden spooners Rockingham showed they could be the big improvers on the women's side though by beating Mandurah 45-40.
Perth also showed they could shoot up the ladder with their convincing 53-31 victory over Stirling.
Elsewhere, reigning champions Willetton thrashed the Suns 48-28, East Perth beat Cockburn 41-33, Wanneroo defeated the Under 18 Country side 64-30 and Lakeside suffered a shock 33-30 to the Metro team.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Grant Lauterbach
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