Despite playing exceptional defence, the Lakes Entrance Pelicans men went down to Korumburra Wildcats in round one of the Country Basketball League played at the Lakes Entrance Youth Recreation Centre last Saturday.
In was a new-look Pelicans outfit which took to the court under the tutelage of first-year coach, Andrew Wright. Only Jay Vale, Chris Fields, Kobe Edwards and Anthony Wright remained from last year’s squad.
Grant Balintong, James Russell, Jackson Hibberson, Massimo Hobbs and Angus Murdoch all suited up for Lakes Entrance who went into the contest quietly confident of victory having beaten the Wildcats last season.
Both sides struggled to score early, several two and three-point shots from the Pelicans boggling out, not scoring until almost
five minutes into the first quarter when
Jay Vale put a two-pointer in from close range.
By that stage the Wildcats had established a lead of 10, which became a barrier the Pelicans struggled to crack for the remainder of match.
Murdoch (nine points) impressed in the first term at both ends, as both teams struggled to score, a combination of good defence and poor shooting seeing the quarter time score 16-6 in favour of the Wildcats.
The score flattered the Pelicans as the Wildcats were unable to capitalise on numerous free throw opportunities with Lakes Entrance conceding some early fouls.
Practice certainly didn’t make perfect, with Korumburra going at less than 50 per cent from the line for the game.
The Pelicans came out looking more focused in the second quarter and after consecutive goals to Fields (six), they drew within just eight points, but that would be as close as they would get, though it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying, their miserly defence and strong rebounding throwing up plenty of offensive opportunities.
It was interesting to see Fields taken off after his consecutive baskets, just when he seemed to be getting on a role, coach Wright preferring to go with a smaller line up.
Michael Johns (20) and Joel Winderlich (21) were standouts for the Wildcats all night, proving to be the difference between the teams.
The late goal to Russell (10) on the half time buzzer narrowed the margin to 15 as the Pelicans maintained a distance close enough if they could capitalise at their end.
Russell was busy and impressed as a point guard with regular number one point guard Anthony Wright (three) having a quiet night and doing his best work as a defensive rebounder.
The intensity of the match increased in the second half with both sides keen for a round one victory, numerous charging fouls seeing players regularly assisted from the pine.
Tempers became a little frustrated at times as the Lakes bench copped a warning from the umpires, who were losing their popularity with both camps.
Edwards (10) began to shine in the third term and when Murdoch (9) nailed a three pointer from down town, the Pelicans were up and about, back with 11, looking capable of anything.
But sadly they began to panic and lose patience at the offensive end, allowing the Wildcats to lengthen the lead to 13 at three quarter time.
Unfortunately the breaks went the way of the Wildcats early in the final term, despite another giant three from Murdoch narrowing the lead to 12.
When Hobbs was fouled out shortly after, a text foul adding to the mayhem, the lead was back to 14 and Korumburra retained possession.
Lakes battled hard to the finish, eventually succumbing 57-42, coach Wright delighted to concede just 57 points, but will some
work to be done on his sides scoring capabilities.
Lakes Entrance will play Morwell this Saturday night at the Latrobe Valley Leisure Centre in Morwell at 8pm.
