Cockburn's dream run continues
The Cockburn Cougars continued their perfect men’s State Basketball League season with a clinical 115-77 defeat of the Kalamunda Eastern Suns at Wally Hagan Stadium.
Cockburn led from start to finish, sending a firm reminder to their rivals with their sixth consecutive win. It was a disappointing weekend for the Suns who slumped to 2-4 two losses in two days.
Import Stan Ocitti led the way for the Cougars with 22 points 14 rebounds playing just half the match. Sheldon McIntyre (17 points), Grant Davey (14) and Ty Harrelson (14) also had exciting games.
Dean Hadley was the standout for Kalamunda with 21 points and seven rebounds. Joel Questel (17 points), Nebojsha Franich (15) and Justin Brown (10 + 10) also made it to double figures.
The Cougars were red-hot early, scoring the opening eight points of the match.
Kalamunda found their feet late in the term to bridge gap back to four points midway through the first term.
Ocitti hit two late baskets including a trademark dunk to give his side a handy 11-point quarter-time lead.
Ocitti won the battle against former team mate and close friend from the University of Connecticut Justin Brown of the Suns.
The home side went from strength to strength in the second quarter, continuing their dominance of the match.
The Suns poor shooting (34%) and high amount of turnovers hurt them as the score blew out to 62-35 at half-time.
The second half was much the same with Cockburn extending their lead to 42-points at the last break.
The Cougars starting five were rested for the final quarter to give youngsters Seva Chan, Damien Scott, Will Hannah and Sean O’Neill some valuable game time.
The extremely talented 18-year-old Scott was particularly impressive off the bench, scoring 12 points and eight rebounds.
The visitors outscored Cockburn 27-23 in the last quarter, but it was too little too late as they suffered their third straight loss.
The Metropolis Fremantle Cockburn Cougars caused an upset in the women’s match, beating the previously undefeated Suns 73-64.
Emma Pass was Cockburn’s best with 22 points and five rebounds, with Courtney Hargreaves (17 points and 11 rebounds) and Taryn Priestly (10 points) valuable contributors.
Leah Rush was the shining light for the Suns, recording a double-double (16 points and 14 rebounds), Melissa Moyle (10 points and eight rebounds) also worked hard.
The Cougars clawed their way back from a seven-point half-time deficit to claim their third win of the season.
Article by Jordan Mcardle at Wally Hagan Stadium
Photo by Mick Cronin
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