Writer Mark Halliday

 

Women

 

McKay's 26 leads Rockets over Lions

The North Adelaide Rockets found themselves down early but were able to hold of a resilient Central Districts Lions team as they emerged victorious, 78-67, at Hillcrest on Saturday night.

The Lions threatened to take the win over the defending champions with a hot start and lead by as many as nine points during the first quarter. Amy Lewis, who scored a game-high 29 points to go along with her 11 rebounds and three steals, got the Lions off to a fantastic start as they held the momentum after one quarter. The Lions also held a distinct size advantage which caused the Rockets to shoot from outside rather than look inside and attack the basket.

 

However, the Rockets found their shooting touch as they moved the ball better, found open shots and took the lead. Sarah Elsworthy (14 points, seven assists, four steals) hit back to back baskets to give the home side a three point lead with 3:23 left in the first half.

North Adelaide extended their lead and almost had the game wrapped up in the third quarter. Shannon McKay had the hot hand after the break as she scored 13 of her 26 points in the quarter. McKay hit three triples in the first four minutes after half time to put the Rockets in charge of the game with a 15 point lead mid-way through the third.

The Lions fought their way back into the game through Lewis and Ashley Grimes. Centrals cut the lead to as little as five in the fourth but were unable to get a much needed stop or make key shots when it mattered. Grimes did her best though, she continued to attack the basket to get to the free throw line or raise up over the defence for a jumper in her 21 points.

Jamie-Lee Peris wore down the Lions' defence with hook shots, spins and crafty layups under the basket and put North Adelaide up seven with 1:12 left in the game. She finished with 16 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks as the Rockets were able to hold onto the lead and pick up the win.

 

Men

 

Lions snap seven game skid, beat Rockets

The Central District Lions have snapped a seven game losing streak with an impressive six point win over the North Adelaide Rockets, 77-71, at Hillcrest on Saturday night.

The Lions had the upper hand for most of the game as five players scored in double digits and were able to make key free throws after a decisive unsportsmanlike foul to come away with the victory.

The Rockets' John Wernham, Luke Pike and Brett Collins all connected on shots to cut the Lions' lead from 10 to two with less than a minute remaining. With 23 seconds left in the game and the Lions leading 73-71, North's Luke Mapunda was called for an unsportsmanlike foul after some discussion between the referees which sent the Lions' Luke Frost to the line. Frost made both and with the ball back in the Lions hands, Jordan Centernera split his free throws to make it a five point game.

Wernham missed under the basket on the following possession and Adam Schild couldn't get his tip to drop either as the ball bounced between players hands in a desperate attempt to score. Unfortunately for North time ran out after bringing themselves to the brink of taking the lead.

The Lions looked the better team for most of the game and certainly not one that had only managed three wins this season. Tyler Kennedy was able to open up the floor with his long range shooting while Chris Clausen showed off his versatility with a range of post moves and stepping out to hit a three.

Kennedy led the Lions with 16 points including four triples. Clausen was making a living on the boards, grabbing 20 rebounds to go along with his 12 points and two blocks. Frost finished with 14, Peter Joyce scored 13 and Centernera added 12 in the balanced scoring output for Centrals.

In contrast, only Wernham, who gave the Loins defensive problems all night (20 points, nine rebounds, three blocks), and Mapunda (11 points, six rebounds, four assists) registered double digits in scoring for the Rockets.