Wolves down but not out
Despite dropping the opening game of the best-of-three series in the men’s and women’s competition last Saturday to the Perry Lakes Hawks, both wolves squads are still alive but will need to win the final two games of the series this weekend to progress to the semi-finals.
The men’s team went down 103-96 to the Hawks in what was a tight and, at times, fiery contest where emotions threatened to boil over on a few occasions.
Some solid three-point shooting early on by Tony Pearman (17 points) and import Scott Moore (13 points) got the Wolves off to a great start but Perry Lakes closed the gap in the second quarter with the Wolves leading 57-55 at the half.
The contest remained tight after the break with the Wolves trailing 78-74 at the end of the three periods. In the end, some clutch baskets by Tom Garlepp (Perry Lakes) proved pivotal in the fourth quarter with the Wolves going down by seven points.
Jeff Dowdell, who was flown back from the east coast for the game, led the way for the Wolves with 22 points and 15 boards. Damien Matacz (18 points, 15 rebounds) was also a strong contributor for Wanneroo.
In the women’s game, the Wolves battled hard against a Lady Hawks team who are considered favourites for the title. A solid first half shooting display saw the wolves trailing by only a point (38-37) at half-time and a threat to cause a major upset.
However, the Hawks pulled away early in the third quarter and the Wolves struggled to continue their offensive momentum from the first half and eventually went down 80-66.
Meghan D’Arcy and Alison Ramirez were among Wanneroo’s best in a game that will give the women’s team a lot of confidence they can defeat the Lady Hawks when the series continues in Game 2 this Saturday night at Joondalup.
Game 2: Saturday, August 1: women (6pm) men (8pm), Wanneroo Wolves vs Perry Lakes Hawks, Joondalup Basketball Stadium.
Game 3 if required: (women) at Perry Lakes Stadium, Sunday, August 2, noon.
Game 3 if required: (men) at Joondalup Basketball Stadium, Sunday, August 2, noon.
Article by Scott Palmer
Photo by Travis Hayto
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