It was a disappointing weekend for the Lakes Entrance Pelicans, outclassed in both their
Gippsland Country Basketball League matches at the Lakes Entrance Youth and Recreation Centre.
On Saturday in the twilight, the Pelicans did battle with the Maffra Eagles, who played a faultless first half of basketball on the way to an impressive 92-51 win.
Leading by 33 points at half time, the Eagles were able to get quality playing minutes into their entire 12-man roster, who all managed to hit the scoreboard.
Maffra’s shooters were damaging right from the opening minutes as they skipped out to a 26-8 advantage by the end of first quarter, the Pelicans’ attempts unable to find the basket.
The Eagles’ offence was matched by a ruthless defence and urgency to find rebounds when they were available.
Sam Whelan led the scoring with 15 points, including three maximums, well supported by Byron Sandeman (13 points), Thomas Scott (12) and Jack McQuillen (10).
With key Pelican Angus Murdoch on the sideline injured, they got solid points in a more competitive second half performance from Sacha Murdoch (14), Kobe Edwards (12) and Anthony Wright. (10).
Lakes’ last quarter was its best, but the fizz had well and truly gone from the encounter by then, Maffra cruising to victory.
Another top four contender, Warragul, was Sunday’s assignment, which proved just as
tough, the Warriors returning down the highway with a 108-47 victory.
The game was played in almost identical circumstances, Warragul getting its eye in early, while the Pelicans struggled to nail effective shots, the lead was 22 by quarter time.
This allowed the Warriors to play their whole roster for extended minutes, with all 10 players making significant contributions at both ends.
Lakes Entrance’s offence improved in the final three quarters, but the defence struggled to contain the taller and more skilled Warriors, who got quality efforts from Jackson McEwan (23), Murray Myers (19), Riley Morehu (17), George Morgan (16) and Xavier Adams (13).
Jay Vale (14), Sacha Murdoch (11) and James Russell (11) led the way for the Pelicans, Vale shooting a couple of his regulation three-pointers, which paled into significance compared to Morehu’s five, Morgan’s four and Adams three.
Another double-header is in store for round four action this week, the Pelicans taking on the Southern Peninsula Sharks at Rosebud on Saturday night and Korumburra on Sunday at the Korumburra Leisure Centre.
