Cougars make statement (Week 1 Friday night SBL wrap)
THE 2012 men's SBL champion Cockburn Cougars made the biggest statement of the opening night of the 2014 season with a 39-point win over the Kalamunda Eastern Suns to suggest they will again be a contender this year.
On the first night of SBL action for 2014, Cockburn beat Kalamunda 123-84 while in other men's matches, the Perth Redbacks beat the Rockingham Flames 96-93 and the defending champion Lakeside Lightning downed the Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles 101-88.
And in women's matches on Friday, the Rockingham Flames beat the Perth Redbacks 94-50, the Lakeside Lightning downed the Schweigen East Perth Eagles 71-49 and the Cockburn Cougars defeated the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 72-62.
The Redbacks and Flames played out the thriller of the night in men's action at Belmont Oasis with Perth ending up holding on to win by three points against the fast-finishing Rockingham.
There was plenty of excitement surrounding new Redbacks import Stan Okoye coming into the season and he showed why on Friday with 30 points, 13 rebounds and three assists on the back of shooting 12-of-24 from the field.
Usual Perth suspects Jarrad Prior and Joel Wagner also started well with Prior finishing with 21 points and Wagner 20 to go with five rebounds and four assists.
Dennis Tawhiti also contributed 10 points and six rebounds for the Redbacks.
Cooper Land had a big night for the Flames with 30 points and 13 rebounds with Tom Remmerswaal adding 25 points, Taylor Land 12 and Travis Moore 10.
Despite the mass changes over the off-season, the defending men's SBL champions Lakeside started its 2014 campaign impressively with a 13-point win over the Eagles at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre on Friday.
Caleb Palkert was impressive for the Lightning with 23 points and nine rebounds with Brad Jackson adding 23 points and five boards off the bench.
Brad Tinsley also contributed 16 points, six assists and five rebounds for the Lightning with Darrel Morgan scoring 15 points and Jarrad Prue finishing with 11 points and a massive 31 rebounds after he had an off-season that included his NBL debut for the Perth Wildcats.
Nikola Donlagic top-scored for the Eagles with 18 points with Kyle Armour scoring 17 points, Drew Williamson 12, Joe-Alan Tupaea 11 and Sunday Dech 10 to go with 16 rebounds.
The thumping of the night in men's action took place at Wally Hagan Stadium with the 2012 champions Cockburn hammering Kalamunda by 39 points.
It was a statement performances from the Cougars who missed the playoffs in 2013 with Gavin Field finishing with 28 points and 16 rebounds, and Damien Scott 28 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
Alex Prince also finished with 15 points, Anthony Borden 11 and Steven Van Lit 10.
Adhar Mayen top-scored for the Suns with 16 points to go with eight rebounds while Mike Krumel added 15 points.
Meanwhile in women's action, the Flames made an emphatic start to their 2014 campaign recording a thumping 44-point victory over the Redbacks at Belmont Oasis.
Rockingham is coming off a grand final appearance in 2012 and semi-final loss in 2013, so is around the mark and desperate for that elusive championship, and could not have been more impressive on Friday night.
Samantha Whitcomb was in dominant form for the Flames finishing with 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists on the back of shooting 8-of-12 from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point territory.
Darcee Garbin was also impressive with 18 points and five boards while Jacinta Bourne contributed 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Jessica Jakens was the only Redbacks player to score in double-figures finishing with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Lakeside also made a strong start to its 2013 campaign with a 22-point win over East Perth at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre on Friday.
Kari Pickens led the way for the Lightning in her debut appearance with 18 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals on the back of shooting 7-of-11 from the floor, and 3-of-5 from long range.
Emily Fielding added 12 points and 11 rebounds for Lakeside with Jessica Van Schie finishing with 10 points, eight assists and five boards as well.
Clare Thomson-Boston top-scored for the Eagles off the bench with 23 points with Amy Chinnery adding 12 points.
Cockburn and Kalamunda played out the closest women's contest of the night at Wally Hagan Stadium with the Cougars ending up victorious by 10 points after leading by 16 going into the fourth quarter.
Sam Richards led the way for the Cougars with 22 points and six assists with Marita Payne contributing 17 points (13 rebounds) and Emma Pass 16 (11 rebounds).
Jennie Rintala top-scored for the Suns with 22 points and six rebounds with Jessie Edwards scoring 10 points, Chelsea Armstrong nine and Adrienne Jones eight.
FRIDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Perth Redbacks 50 lost to Rockingham Flames 94
Schweigen East Perth Eagles 49 lost to Lakeside Lightning 71
Cockburn Cougars 72 defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns 62
FRIDAY MEN'S SBL MATCHES
Perth Redbacks 96 defeated Rockingham Flames 93
Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles 88 lost to Lakeside Lightning 101
Cockburn Cougars 123 defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns 84
Article by Chris Pike
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