Posted on 25 May, 2009
Joe Werner (27pts, 14rbds) lead five Cobras in double figures on Saturday night against the Dandenong Rangers, with Chris Cameron (18pts), Matt Shanahan (13pts), DJ Taylor (12pts) and Jon Lee (12pts) combining to record the Cobras 6th win of the year.
Kilsyth jumped out of the blocks in the opening term racing to a 34-19 lead at the quarter time break. As the Cobras extended the lead to 20 in the 2nd term, it looked like being a long night for the Rangers.
But Dusty Jura (31pts, 14rbds) and Vince Inglima (29pts, 7rbds) had other ideas pulling the Rangers within seven points at the half and giving them a chance to upset Kilsyth at home.
Both teams went basket for basket in the 3rd term with the margin shifting between 5 and 9 points. Dandenong outscored the Cobras by two in a low scoring quarter to be within five at the final break.
With the game on the line in the final quarter Cobras Captain DJ Taylor delivered, going 6/6 from the free throw line as the team went 12/14 and shot at 78% for the game. This was a major improvement on their season average and with the Cobras forcing 21 Rangers turnovers to 11, Kilsyth were able to record the much needed nine point win.
Kilsyth travelled to Sandringham on Sunday for their 2nd game on the weekend knowing they hadn’t won two games in a double weekend since 2005.
A win would bring the Cobras within reach of 2nd place on the ladder, a loss would make things extremely difficult in Season 2009.
Joe Werner (21pts, 11rbds, 3/3 3 pt) and Chris Cameron (15pts, 3/5 3 pt) again started well for the Cobras combining for the Cobras first 14 points of the game while Matt Shanahan (15pts, 3/6 3 pt) finished the quarter strong to lead Kilsyth to a two point quarter time lead.
Werner and Cameron both hit their 3rd three’s of the game and Quincy Henderson (13pts, 6rbds) hit from behind the arc which saw the Cobras lead by six early in the second term.
The Cobras scoring dried up towards the long break which allowed Dean Rzechta (21pt), Neil Mottram (21pts, 8rbds) and Daniel Dillon (15pts) to build a six point half time lead for the Sabres.
Kilsyth looked to have let them game slip when Werner picked up a contentious foul after an unsportsmanlike foul on the previous possession. Coach Grant Wallace was forced to rest his star import as the Sabres built a 14 point lead with 7 mins to go in the 3rd quarter.
The Cobras second unit of Jon Lee (13pts), Matt Shanahan, Tim Lang, Adam Jackson and DJ Taylor showed their team mates that with a little hustle at the defensive end the game was not over.
The group gave the Cobras a chance going into the final term restricting the margin to six at the final break.
Kilsyth went on a 9-2 run to start the 4th and took the lead for the first time since the 2nd quarter. When Werner re entered the game with just over 4 mins to play the Cobras down by three.
Werner had 9pts and 5 rebounds to close the game and Gerard Leonard hit a 3 and some big free throws to lead the Cobras to their 2nd win of the weekend.
Kilsyth again shot better then their season average at 68% from the free throw line but it was their 52% from behind the arc that made the difference.
The Cobras now travel to Mt Gambier Friday night before taking on the Ballarat Miners from 2.30pm at home next Sunday 31 May 2009. Kilsyth will be keen to make it four straight wins and challenge Bendigo and Knox for 2nd place in the SEABL East Conference.
