The Sale Sonics produced a dominant four-quarter performance to defeat the Lakes Entrance Pelicans in the final round of the Gippsland Country Basketball League (CBL) season at the Gippsland Regional Sporting Complex last Saturday night.
The Sonics showcased their firepower while the Pelicans highlighted flashes of promising young talent.
Lakes won the opening tip and struck early through James Russell, but Sale quickly asserted themselves.
Bailey Harrison (29 points) got going at the line, before Lakes sharpshooter Jake DeDonato hit five straight points including a transition finish.
Angus Murdoch, who has missed plenty of games through injury, kept the Pelicans close with a smooth drive and a deep three, but Sale answered every time.
Jayson Mandilag connected from long range to give the Sonics the lead, before coach Josh Backway added a strong finish and young Tom Roberts powered inside for an and one.
A late Murdoch trip to the line kept the Pelicans within touch, but the Sonics closed the quarter ahead 28–20 leaders.
Lakes opened the second term with back-to-back buckets from Jamie Webb and Leigh Martin, but momentum swung after DeDonato picked up a technical foul.
That opened the door for Sale, who capitalised immediately, Kade Musselwhite (12) drilling a corner three to push the margin into double digits.
The Pelicans responded through Russell and Leigh Martin’s work on the offensive glass, but another Musselwhite triple and repeated trips to the line for Bailey Harrison widened the gap.
Murdoch was putting plenty of shots up from long range, but his radar was off, as Anthony Wright worked hard on the boards at the other end.
The Pelicans’ frustrations grew after a technical foul on coach, Wright, while Ben Swasbrick delivered two massive blocks at the other end for Sale, the Sonics comfortably in front 46–32 at half time.
Sale turned the game into a rout with a blistering third quarter, with Bailey Harrison continuing to slice through in transition, Musselwhite splashing another three, while Brenton Lear added a three-point play as the Sonics piled on the scoreboard pressure.
Jake Hutchins (20) caught fire soon after, hitting a three and finishing a strong drive.
Xavier Martin hit a pair of much-needed baskets late in the term for the Pelicans, but by then the Sonics had exploded out to a 73–44 lead.
Murdoch, who had worked hard on the defensive boards early in the term, exited mid quarter with another foot injury, heading home at three quarter time as his teammates battled it out gallantly, trying hard to the final buzzer.
The final period saw the Sonics continue to roll with Hutchins and Bailey Harrison combining for quick points and steals.
The Pelicans finally found a bright spark when young guard Kye Piper checked in.
The crowd erupted as he scored a confident floater, then followed it moments later with a smooth three-pointer for the loudest reaction of the night.
Sale kept the scoreboard ticking over with a Musselwhite put-back, a flashy Bailey Harrison finish and a Swasbrick bucket that sent the Sonics bench into celebrations.
Webb closed the night for Lakes with his trademark mid-range touch, as Sale ran out winners 100-57.
Bailey Harrison was outstanding, shifting the Pelicans’ defence all night, while Musselwhite provided elite shooting from deep.
Hutchins’ mix of athletic finishes and outside accuracy added to Sale’s control.
For the Pelicans, Murdoch delivered strong early scoring and young Piper gave the Lakes crowd something genuine to cheer about showing composure and confidence with his limited minutes.
While it hasn’t been the strongest CBL season for either side, both teams
showcased the depth of local talent available.
Sale’s core continues to look solid heading toward future seasons, and Lakes can take real optimism from the development of their younger players.
Lakes Entrance finished the season on the bottom of the ladder with just one win, the Sonics in 10th, scoring three victories.
The semi finals of the CBL begin this week with Moe playing Maffra, and Pakenham taking on Warragul.
