6th Game: vs Kings

Date: 23rd August 2006
Time: 10:10pm

Lets start off by saying that our level of defence as really picked up in the last couple of games, and tonight was a continuation of this commitment. Tim and Harbs returned after working last week. This game was on the Wednesday night at 10:10pm. Waston decided that he wanted to play for us this week since he was unable to play his regular game due to work commitments. He hadn’t played for us since last year, so really it was only a few games missing. He probably won’t be a permanent player in our lineup. James played again for us after a brilliant showing last week. Devo, Simbo and myself made seven players this week.

Simbo won the tip but the ball just went straight out of court, which meant that the Kings got possession. The Kings had five players for the game which was to our advantage as we were able to keep a little fresher. Tim picked up a foul very early on in the half, and I had thought that it could be one of those nights where he fouls out with heaps of time remaining, but in didn’t turn out that way as he only picked up 2 for the match. We managed to keep the score close mainly thanks to James who scored 13 points in the first half (including a 3ptr and 2 Free Throws), whilst Harbs and Watson both scored 2 points. Our fouls were spread quite evenly between all out players, although Watson got 3 fouls in the first half which included a charging foul.

At the halftime break we were down 17 to 24. The Kings main scorer was #6 who I think must have scored at least half their total. Most teams have one or two players who do the majority of the scoring, and that showed with us tonight as well.

Watson played brilliantly and scored 13 points in the second half for a total of 15 points. Tim made a great layup for 2 points as did Harbs. Simbo increased his level of defence and started getting into the right position for the rebounds after we had told him. This helped preventing the Kings from getting many second chance shots. Simbo scored 4 points in the second half, while James made another 8 points which included 2 free throws after the final siren.

Our second half defence was possibly the best ever, as we targeted the Kings #6 and managed to prevent him from scoring a lot in the second half. We managed to draw a lot of fouls against the Kings in the second half, with their #11 picking up 4 fouls in the second half which meant he fouled out with around 4.5 minutes remaining in the game. With about a minute remaining in the game one of the Kings players injured his ankle and couldn’t continue to play the rest of the game, which meant they played the rest of the game with 3 players. The lead changed hands several times in the final 4 minutes of the game, with us finally getting the better side of the game. Simbo fouled out with less than a minute left, and so I returned to the court. I was still unable to score in this game, but that doesn’t matter much. With approximately 3 seconds remaining on the clock we were up by 4 points and the Kings had the ball, the shot went up and missed and then a foul was called against them, which meant we were heading to the free throw line after the clock ran out. The final result was 46 to 40 in our favour.

It’s great to be able to say that we can win again. Congratulations to all who played in this match, it was great to be apart of the action. When Dave returns it will be awesome.

Focus Knights vs Drummond St

Last Monday the 21st August 2006, I went to score for the Focus Knights following my Indoor Cricket match that we lost by a single run.

The Knights’ player lineup included, Adam, Scotty, Russ, Hayden, Terry and Troy. Their record for the season was 5 wins and 2 losses, which put them 5th on the ladder and equal of points with 3rd place. Drummond St were 4th on the ladder.

The Knights started the game extremely well scoring the first 13 points of the game. So one could say that they had a real easy game, but after they scored the Drummond St held the margin after a couple of 3 pointers and stayed between 8 and 15 points behind. The main part of this game was the rebounding, both offensively and defensively. For about 10 minutes of the match in the second half, the Focus Knights were unable to get any rebounds and this allowed the margin to be closed do to 2 points.

Terry picked up 4 fouls in the first half, with the 4th one being called right at the end of the half. That call was a little dodgey from what I saw of it, and Terry said that he made no contact with anyone. The second half he started on the bench, and when he finally subbed on he lasted less than a minute before picking up his 5th foul.

After the margin was closed down, they took a timeout and regrouped. Following that they started getting into great positions for the rebounds and managed to stretch the margin again, finally winning by almost 10 points. Next week they are playing at 8:50pm.

5th Game: vs Exies Acmy

Again Tim couldn't play, but also Harbs couldn't either due to work. So I left it to Simbo to find some more players, and He did that. Found three other guys to play, one plays in A1 or something. They were all young and speedy up the court. We had six players with Devo and myself too.

The opening tip had to be redone as they both missed the ball. Simbo ended up losing the tip, but we were able to get the ball back pretty soon. Exies started with only four players. We had the first score, and we kept the score close in the first half, and actually had the lead for a fair bit of it. One of the guys scored 10 points in the first half, one scored 4 and simbo scored 2. We led by 2 at halftime.

In the second half we had actually stretched our lead to 8 points, but we let it slip in the last 2 minutes of the game. A foul on a scoring basket followed by a free throw tied the score up at 40. They scored again once more after that. We had another chance to win or tie the game in the last 30 seconds, but were unable to. All in all it was a good game, but we should have won it. We had three players scoring 12 points each for the game. Simbo and Devo got quite a few rebounds. Simbo needs to either work on his dribbling or just not bring the ball up the court, as on several occasions he was stripped.

We remain on the bottom of the ladder and play next week on Wednesday at 10:10pm.

4th Game: vs Titans

This game we had Six players with Will returning and Kappas playing along with Devo, Simbo, Harbs and me. The opposition were young guys who tried to be trying for some showtime. Early on our defense was great. Simbo won the tip and we scored the first basket when Will scored. We were holding the score close for about the first 12 minutes, but then after a substitution the defense waivered a little and they were able to stretch the gap. Will scored the second basket. The with the score on 4 to 11, I had the ball at the 3pt line and was going to pass it off, but then I became open for the shot so Will said I should take it. I made the shot with nice arc it swished, nothing but net. Such a great feeling. Simbo made his first basket a little later. After a patch of some turnovers and a lapse in defense the Titans were able to take the half time score to 9 to 28.

Our second half was so much better for making shots. Will had 1 of 2 free throws plus another 2 field goals. Harbs made one layup. Simbo played the best I have ever seen him play. He got into great position for the rebounds and the inside shots. He was grabbing the ball with both hands in both offense and defense. The second half he scored another 7 baskets for a total of 16 points for the game.

The final scoreline was 30 to 66. We play at 8:30pm next thursday.

3rd Game: vs Globo Gym Purple Cobras

Well tonight, Simbo got another two guys from BAF to play for us tonight, and Devo also played so we ended up with 7 players, but only 5 tops. So as a result I wore a T-shirt with a taped number 11 on it, and Nick took Simbos top when he subbed off. Nick only played about 10 minutes of the second half.

We started pretty well and had 4 points to their 11, but after I came on I didn't add anything to our game as we got further behind. I don't have much confidence in my own ability to play this game. Anyway, Harbs made two baskets in the first half and Tim made one basket and 1 of 2 free throws for a team total of 7. Our second half was much better, we played more structured defense and slightly better offence. Alex has the height which we have needed, but I don't know how often he'll be playing.

The Globo Gym Purple Cobras really only had two players that had good skill, their number 5 handled the ball most of the time and set up the passes for the scores. He also made shots himself including 3ptrs. This is frustrating at times, cause I wish that I could do the same thing, but I know I won't be able to. Their number 7 also was in position to score a bit.

Timmy and Harbs scored another 3 baskets each in the second half and Simbo made one shot which he actually took from outside the key. Personally I don't think he should take shots from outside the key cause he has the height and should be able to take the step towards the basket and send the ball to the hole.

It seems that our team plays in spurts of good offence and defence, but by this time the score is usually already out of reach. We should get better as the season goes on and be more consistent during a game from the start. The final score was 21 to 59.

Next week we are playing on Thursday at 8:30pm.