ROUND 7 REVIEW

PHOENIX 88 defeated SAINTS 73

Ahwang (PHX) 25, Campbell (SNT) 22, Barber (PHX) 18

Both teams turned up to play today, first quarter saw both teams trading baskets, though Max Marillo would hit a 3 at the on the buzzer to put Saints up 1 point. 19-18. Second quarter saw reigning MVP Brenton Campbell step up for Saints hitting some tough jump shots, scoring 11 for the quarter. Phoenix battled hard for the quarter with some great teamwork in finding the open man but Saint would take the quarter 28 – 24 and finished the half in front. 47 – 42. 3rd quarter saw Phoenix make a run at Saints; a time out called by Jamie Pearlman would stop that run. Saints regrouped and finished of the quarter strong and again took the quarter 14 -12 and kept the lead going into the 4th, 61 – 54. Start of the fourth saw a determined Phoenix outfit emerge from their team huddle, their defence intensity lifted and made some big stops on defence which led to some fast break points. With 6min left on the clock Phoenix down by 2, Curt Ahwang stepped up and hit a game changing 3, which gave Phoenix the lead for the first time since the 1st Quarter (66-65), a Steal by Thomas Samuels in the next play and easy basket, Phoenix up 68-65. “Timeout Saints” Jamie Pearlman tried to rally his troops though, first play out of timeout saw an Erik Barber interception for an and 1 lay-up. Phoenix made a 17-3 run to shift the momentum in their favor. Some big shots from Curt Ahwang put the game in doubt for Saints. Last year’s champs looked to try and shoot their way back into the game; some missed 3’s would hurt them. Phoenix won the 4th convincingly with a 34 – 12 quarter, and eventually ran out winners by 15 points.


REDLYNCH 79 defeated MULGRAVE 68

Mills (RED) 28, Donald (MUL) 19, Mitchell (RED) 19

The game started of exactly like the first with, with both Royals and Magic trading baskets. Magic would use their size and Matt Smith took advantage with an 8 point quarter, though David Mills would answer with a 10 point quarter for the Royals, Both teams went in the first break 19points a piece. 2nd quarter saw Mulgrave go away from the inside touches, and settled for Jump shots and their scoring dried up. Redlynch took full advantage of the misses, and played some great transition basketball and outscored Mulgrave 27 – 10 in the 2nd. Gausa Arnold and Jeff Cotter tried to fire their team up in the 3rd with some great plays and shooting though Redlynch took a 17 point lead going into the 4th. Mulgrave rallied hard and got within 11 points late into the 4th quarter, though Redlynch managed to keep that buffer, and ran out 11 point winners.