Lakeside down brave East Perth
Lakeside Lightning were far off their dominant best but still did enough to see off a gallant People's Choice East Perth Eagles side by 17 points in the men's State Basketball League on Saturday night.
The Lightning made it two wins from two games in the opening round with the 103-86 triumph, but it came nowhere near as easily as many of their other wins over the Eagles in recent years have.
Lakeside led by as many as 20 points late in the third quarter at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre, only for East Perth to cut the deficit to seven with six minutes left.
But the reigning minor premiers finished the game on a 15-6 run to end any hope of what would've been a miraculous victory in Adam Forde's first game in charge of East Perth.
Luke Payne, the star of the Lightning's phenomenal 24-2 2011 campaign, again impressed with a game-high 31 points while Darrel Morgan continued his strong start to the season with 25.
Jarrod Balcombe had 23 points for East Perth, who were thwarted by the 22 second chance points they gave up and 20 points they allowed off turnovers.
Despite the loss, Forde said his young side - which featured inexperienced trio Solomon Dech, Cameron Cranley and Nikola Donalgic in the starting five while Balcombe was relegated to the bench - put in a strong effort against the team which has blown them away in the quarter finals two years running.
"I'm proud of the guys and we're definitely ahead of schedule," the Eagles coach said.
"Most importantly we stayed mentally tough. When we were down big, our attitude didn't change.
"The 19 turnovers and 22 offensive rebounds we allowed are the only things we've really got to look to address."
Earlier, a young Lightning women's side caused a major upset with a nine-point win against 2011 Grand Finalist East Perth.
The Eagles were significantly under-strength, with forward Samantha Norwood resting for the first few games on the back of her WNBL commitments and Dannii Devenny tied up with US college commitments until May, but Lakeside still impressed in the 63-54 result.
The visitors trailed at the main break and were only three points up heading into the final two minutes of the match, but finished the game on an 8-2 run to earn their second straight win to start the campaign.
Emily Fielding continued her great start to the season for Lakeside with 15 points, while Courtney Byrnes and Claire Johnson scored 14 each.
Nicole Jorre St Jorre had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Eagles.
Lakeside faces Kalamunda away on Friday while the Eagles meet Perry Lakes and South West in a doubleheader.
Article by Jacob Kagi at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre
Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)
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