The Weekly Sting #4

High Scoring 76er – Jordan Houlahan
Magic Forward – Matt Johns
Former Piranha – Taylor Marston

Men

Zodiacs 1 v German Arms 76ers. This clash proved to be a “non-event” with only one team turning up ready to play. The 76ers applied pressure to the streaky Zodiacs 1 team right from the tip, with hardnosed man to man defence whilst the Zodiacs opened in a regulation zone defence. On offence the 76ers exploited the lacklustre defence applied by the golds with Jordan Houlahan, Scott Rattus and Sam Scott all connecting from beyond the 3point arc in the first quarter to lead 19-6 at the end of one. Zodiacs 1 opened the second quarter with more fight but could not seem to contain the rampaging 76ers who stretched their lead to 11 points at halftime. The Zodiacs outfit could not seem to find any consistency or form on offence only shooting 21% from the field in the first half, whilst the 76ers were hitting at 46%. This trend seemed to continue throughout the second half with German Arms connecting on a blistering 7-13 from downtown to set up a lead that Zodiacs just could not counter. For the 76ers Jordan Houlahan (15 points), Troy Parker Boers (13 points) and Coach Scott Rattus with (12 points and 9 assists) were unstoppable. Zodiacs lacked drive from the normally brilliant Joel Goodenough and reigning league MVP Scott Baxter. Only Wes Roach showed any resistance with (9points). Look for Zodiacs to come out strong next round, as they won’t have two consecutive bad games. On the flipside, the 76ers will be looking to go into the Christmas break with top billing as they face the unbeaten Magic outfit, this game will be a beauty! Leading Scorers: German Arms 76ers 54 (J. Houlahan 15, T. Parker-Boers 13, S. Rattus 12) defeated Zodiacs 1 29 (W. Roach 9, M. Smith 6)

Zodiacs 3 v Hackers. Size was always going to be an issue in this match with Hackers suiting 210cm Premier League centre Tom Giles, whilst Zodiacs 3 tallest player only measured up at 188cm. Giles impact on the competition was questioned in the lead-up to this one, but he responded with some brilliant moves around the basket and blocking any shot that was attempted in the paint. Hackers point guard Tom Boxer arrived late after tip off, but soon put his signature on the game with energy and leadership at both ends. The youthful golds outfit continued to battle against their more experienced and talented opponents as they do every week with fourteen year old guard Tate Grivell who teamed with pocket rocket Jack Trehearne igniting the golds with an amazing second quarter to have them up by 3 points with just over two minutes to play in the half. Hackers responding to the “up and about” Zodiacs with Will Fletcher sinking two quick fire daggers to end the first half with Hackers just ahead 26 -21. The third term was an extremely tight affair with Hackers Tom Boxer trading baskets with Max Glover, Zodiacs creating energy plays to win the quarter 16-14. The final quarter was all Hackers with Sanjay Taverner joining in the party with some great plays around the basket. In the end it was Hackers who got the points 57-38 with a great scoring spread throughout the team, for Zodiacs 3 Max Glover put in his best scoring game of the summer so far with (10 points). Leading Scorers: Hackers 57 (W. Fletcher 19, S. Taverner 14, T. Boxer 12) defeated Zodiacs 3 38 (M. Glover 10, J. Trehearne 7, T. Grivell 5)

Rimshots v Mt Barker Magic. This game started as frantic up-and-down affair, scoring was never an issue with both sides trading baskets freely in the first quarter. The second quarter was a complete opposite with Magic Coach Jason Warhurst pushing the tempo, seeing Magic skipping out to a 30 -16 halftime lead. From this point Rimshots were never going to catch Magic, who completely out-rebounded their opposition with one of the physically strongest power forward-centre duos in the league in Andrew Mason and Matt Johns. For the Magic swing forward Matt Johns stepped up on cue with (25 points) while Mason and Warhurst added (11 points) apiece. Rimshots small forward Ben Vincent was serviceable with (10 points) but at the final siren it was Magic giving the Rimshots a reality check with a 59 – 24 win. Leading Scorers: Mt Barker Magic 59 (M. Johns 25, A. Mason 11, J. Warhurst 11) defeated Rimshots 24 (B. Vincent 10, G. Landseer 6)

Zodiacs 2 v Onka Piranhas. Onka Piranhas needed to get the points in this one after taking a beating from Mount Barker Magic last round. The game was basically a shootout from the opening, with lots of great one on one action. Zodiacs Aaron Morris had a “dance-off” with Piranhas livewire Devon McGee, delighting the small crowd assembled at the AHRC. At the half it was Zodiacs in front by seven points, McGee the only player in double digits after some great assists from point guard Mike Richards. For Zodiacs it was a real team effort, with an even spread of scorers. The second half was a basket for basket affair, but it was the defensive pressure from Zodiacs that nullified the influence McGee was having on the game that was the real turning point. Piranha Jack Barrett stood up in the last quarter attempting to get the maroons over the line. But it was Zodiacs 2 that pulled off a three point win in this highly entertaining duel. Last season’s Premiers Onka Piranhas have proven to be the most inconsistent team in the A League competition, this will need to be addressed if they are going to challenge for this seasons title. Leading Scorers: Zodiacs 2 (A. Morris 12, K. Van Shik 9, M. Harris 7) defeated Onka Piranhas (D. McGee 17, J. Barnett 17, M. Richards 5)

Women

Meadows v Onka Piranhas. Meadows entered this clash under an injury cloud with several key players unavailable. Coming out of retirement Kylie Walsh made her A League debut for Meadows, and proved an efficient backcourt partner with her sister Skeate Bald. The first half was a close battle with Piranhas ending the half on a 5-0 run to go up 15 -11. In the second half Meadows were down as many as nine, but never lost faith coming back, and closing the gap to 3 with a minute and a half to play. Danielle Hupfeld was the standout for Meadows, but it was the Maroons Skipper Olivia Smith who was the most dominant player on the floor with a game high (14 points). Meadows will need to bring their best next round as they face the improving Zodiacs. Leading Scorers: Onka Piranhas 30 (O. Smith14, E. Van der Wolff 8, T. Hiley 6) defeated Meadows 25 (D. Hupfeld 12, S. Bald 4, E. Billing 4)

Strathalbyn v Mount Barker Magic. This top of the table fixture proved to be a “fizzer”, with Strathalbyn dominant from the start to finish. Magic were missing long range sniper Ella Nobes, going into the game will just five available players. Strathalbyn were simply brilliant at both ends of the court, Carly Vivian getting to the basket with ease along with Shane Nethercott who seemed to always be in the right spot for her teammates. Magic again relied on dynamic guard Tennille Seal who battled extremely hard all game along with Minnie Todd. Strathalbyn are definitely the benchmark team in the Womens competition at this point of the season, storming to a 46-31 win. Leading Scorers: Strathalbyn 46 (C. Vivian, S. Nethercott 11, C. Holdsworth 8) defeated Mount Barker Magic 31 (T. Searl 16, M. Todd 7, E.Modra 4)

College Report – Taylor Marston (Vermont Tech). Local EHBA product and Mount Barker local, Taylor Marston is currently showing his wares in the tough USA College basketball system. Taylor plays with the Vermont Tech Men's Basketball team who compete in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Vermont Technical College is a small public technical college with a student enrolment of about 2,000 and is located in Vermont, a New England state in the northeastern United States. Just last week the Vermont tech Knights travelled to UMASS Boston last Friday to play in the 31st Annual Harbor Invitational. The Knights faced the host team in the first game going down 74-70, with Taylor playing a valuable role off the Knights bench logging 26 minutes. Former Onka Piranhas A League Men standout, Marston is classed as a freshman (first year) player, so opportunities are slim in his first year of collegiate competition, Averaging 3.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in 11 minutes of action per contest.




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