Posted on 20 July, 2008
The first quarter was played at a blistering pace with their season on the line NW Tasmania, who were able to finish anywhere from 1st to 4th depending on the result of this game, led by 2 at the first change. Joe Werner (23pts, 17rbds) and Bradley Nuckles (32pts, 21rbds) went toe for toe throughout the first quarter with Werner finishing with 12pts and 7rbds and Nuckles 15 and 6.
Werner picked up a couple of early fouls in the 2nd term and NW Tassie took over as Coach Grant Wallace for forced to rest his star. Kilsyth score just 15 points for the term while given up 28. Doubling Nuckles at every opportunity the Cobra gave up open shots to the Armstrong brothers and they made them pay. Sam Armstrong finished with 21pts while Ben had 16.
The Cobras went in the break down 17 and could have easily rolled over and let the Thunder walk away with an easy victory. But this is not the Kilsyth way, as the Cobras challenged at every opportunity they pulled the lead back within 12 multiply times throughout the 3rd, before Nuckles once again, made some tough baskets to extend their lead to 22 at the final break.
Once again battered and bruised, in their final game of 2008 and with nothing more to play for than their pride the Cobras gave it one more shot. DJ Taylor (19pts, 8rbds) connected from long range and then from three as Kilsyth reeled in the margin. Within 11 with 4 minutes to play the Cobras could feel an upset coming but Nuckles again hit a massive basket fading away over the outstretch Werner hand.
Kilsyth continued to play until the death making NW Tassie earn the East conference finals placing. Luke Cooper went coast to coast for a 3 point play to cut the margin to 10 late in the contest and that is where the game stay at 100-90.
Gerard Leonard didn’t have his best game of season shooting 8/23 for 19 points but will come back in 2009 with some quality performances under his belt this year.
Kilsyth head off into the post-season now before beginning to prepare for 2009. The first task will be to resign import Joe Werner and other local players while searching for answers on how they can improve for 2009.
Stay up to date with all your off-season Cobras news at www.kilsythbasketball.com.au
