Posted on 22 August, 2011
The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras will host the Dandenong Rangers this Saturday night (27th August) for their first Playoff game with hot form, after notching up their 8th straight win against the Mt Gambier Pioneers on Friday night.
The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras went to Mt. Gambier with their playoff spot sewn up, but that didn’t mean that they were going to take it easy. Despite a couple of quick baskets to the Pioneers, Kilsyth got out to a good start, with guard Cam Johnson sinking a late bucket to help his team take a 6-point buffer heading into the first break.
The Mt Gambier Pioneers chipped away at the Swinburne Cobras lead early in the second quarter, and were able to take a two-point lead at the halfway point of the second. Having none of it, Zach Malvik rained down a three to give Kilsyth the lead once again. The Pioneers had made a small dent in the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras lead, Kilsyth heading to the change rooms with just four points separating them from the home team.
The Swinburne Cobras began to flex the muscle that the fans knew they had all season long in the third quarter, extending their lead through a couple of three-point shots from sharpshooter, Tariq Naqqash. Kilsyth played hard down low, with 42 points in the paint for the game, whilst also making the Pioneers pay severely for their mistakes with Kilsyth making 15 points off Mt Gambier’s 18 turnovers. The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras went into the final break with a 9-point lead.
Determined to take searing form into the next week, Kilsyth piled on the points against the hapless Pioneers in the final term of play, only allowing their opposition to score nine points to the Swinburne Cobras 25. Kilsyth monstered the boards and couldn’t miss their free-throws, shooting 90% (9/10) from the charity stripe.
Given this win, the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras will now head back to Kilsyth Sports Centre for their first playoff game. The eight game win streak looks at being continued as the team will make a late surge for championship glory in the 2011 season.
The Swinburne Kilsyth Lady Cobras have ensured themselves a home final with a 13 point win over the Frankston Lady Blues yesterday afternoon.
The Swinburne Lady Cobras knew that if they did not come away with the win that there was the possibility of dropping to as low as fifth on the ladder and losing the opportunity to have a home final; Kilsyth began the game strongly taking a six point lead at the first change.
Both sides struggled with accuracy however the Swinburne Lady Cobras got the edge with their defensive pressure and 10 extra shots from the field.
Chantella Perera continued her good form with 24 points and nine rebounds, Jordyn O’Shea shot at 71% from the field to finish the game with 12 points. The Swinburne Lady Cobras are now preparing for their elimination final against Nunawading this Saturday night.
The Swinburne Lady Cobras now host the Nunawading Lady Spectres in the first game a finals double header Saturday August 22, tip-off is at 6:15pm on Hugh McMenamin Court. The Swinburne Cobras will take on the Dandenong Rangers; tip-off is 8.15pm.
