Magical start for Mandurah (Saturday night Blitz wrap)
Mandurah Magic were one of the biggest surprises in the early rounds of the men's State Basketball League Pre-Season Blitz, causing two major upsets.
The Magic won just seven games in a disappointing 13th-placed finish in 2011 but showed they have the potential to be big improvers with wins over defending champions Wanneroo and perennial contenders Lakeside in the pre-season competition, which features abbreviated matches.
Mandurah shocked Wanneroo with a 51-42 result on Friday night before shocking the Lightning with a 52-51 triumph on Saturday.
The Wolves endured a tough start to the Blitz as they also fell 44-36 on Saturday to Stirling, who triumphed 61-45 over Cockburn in their other match.
Perth Redbacks were among the other impressive teams as they thrashed fellow 2011 finalists East Perth 49-24 and were equally convincing in a 54-25 triumph over Rockingham.
Other sides to be undefeated after two rounds were Geraldton, who emphatically beat the Country Men and Perry Lakes on Saturday, Willetton and reigning wooden spooners Southwest.
The Slammers also showed they could be big improvers on the women's side after beating Kalamunda 51-25 and squeezing past WSBL powerhouse Perry Lakes 39-37.
Southwest won only two games in 2011 but made several off-season changes, including the addition of WNBL players Zoe Harper and Kara Hargreaves, and showed they could be big improvers.
Wooden spoon winners Rockingham were also undefeated after two matches.
Willetton thrashed East Perth 50-26 in the rematch of last year's Grand Final, backing up on the Tigers' 48-28 triumph over Kalamunda.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)
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