Posted on 21 April, 2011
The Geelong Supercats spoiled the celebrations for Head Coach Grant Wallace, as he coached his 400th game. Tonight’s game was Kilsyth’s third in a six days after losing to NW Tasmania at home on Friday night by three points, and Bendigo at Bendigo on Sunday again by three points.
Yet again Kilsyth’s slow starts came back to hurt them, playing catch for over a half is never ideal, but to the boys credit their never say die attitude ensured that they put up one hell of a fight. The first quarter saw a pretty even contest with both sides having their fair share of play, the only difference being Geelong’s (50% FG) ability to hurt Kilsyth (31.6% FG) on the scoreboard. Kilsyth could not buy a basket and went into quarter time trailing 14-27.
A tight tough contest was what everyone was expecting and that was exactly what they got in the second quarter, both sides had great defensive efforts in the second with no one willing to give an inch, Kilsyth managed to get a few baskets dropping and brought the half time deficit back down to nine points.
The third quarter Kilsyth came out focused and ready to take it up the 2010 SEABL Champions, led from the front by Captain Quincy Henderson the Swinburne Cobras started to get things rolling, the inaccuracy that had plagued them earlier in the game seemed to have disappeared (60%FG) and they were able to cut Geelong’s lead to only four points going into the last.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats for the final quarter, willing Kilsyth to get over the line, with 9 minutes left on the clock scores were tied, both Geelong and Kilsyth traded baskets but Kilsyth were never able to grab the lead. With less than two minutes left the difference was three points and the murmurings of the crowd could be heard “we can’t lose by three again”, unfortunately Kilsyth could, going down 65-68.
Quincy Henderson yet again gave his heart and soul, top scoring with 16 points as well as 9 rebounds and three steals. Henderson was well supported by Tariq Naqqash (15pts), Auryn MacMillan (10pts, 10rbds), Zach Malvik (13pts) and Matt O’Hea (11pts, 5rbds).
John Pichon really hurt Kilsyth with his 17 rebounds, 10 of those at Geelong’s defensive end, being the 2010 SEABL champions makes Geelong the benchmark for the rest of the competition and it is clear that Kilsyth is not far off from really hurting opposition sides.
The Swinburne Cobras now sit 1-4, and with Timothy Lang arriving back in Australia after Easter things should fall into place. Frankston on April 30 will be no easy feat but a rest over Easter will ensure that the Swinburne Cobras come ready to play and defy their position on the ladder.
The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras take on Frankston on Saturday April 20 at home on Hugh McMenamin Court, the Swinburne Lady Cobras tip-off at 6.15pm and the Swinburne Cobras tip-off at 8.15pm.
