THE Mount Gambier Lakers kept their undefeated status alive on Saturday night, as they recorded their sixth win for the 2017-18 Country Basketball League season in their Round 7 clash against the Portland Coasters.
Played at the Lighthouse, the Portland hosts were unable to overcome the Lakers’ might, as the guests claimed a 16-point victory over the bottom-placed side.
Returning to the limelight, Kane deWit scored a game-high 20 points to contribute greatly to the Lakers’ win.
This tally consisted of a three-point bomb, seven two-pointers and three free throws.
The opening term saw the Coasters come out firing to lead the chase at the first break.
This was despite the solid start from the Lakers, which saw deWit and Dellon Brown with five and three points respectively in the opening minutes.
However, a two-pointer from Portland’s Ash Hill put the hosts one-point clear on the board, before Jackson Dunlop bagged two three-point bombs to see the Coasters go into the second quarter with a 19-14 advantage.
The Lakers found their feet in the second term and a three-pointer from Zach deWit levelled the scores with five minutes left on the clock.
This was followed by a two-pointer from Luke Black to put the visitors back in front.
With a 10-point lead at the long break, the Lakers were in good stead going into the second half and despite the Coasters’ best efforts, this margin was left unwavering for the remainder of the match.
The final change saw the Lakers hold a 57-46 point lead over the Coasters.
It was in the fourth quarter where Black came alive, scoring a credible 10 points for the term and helping the Lakers on their way to a surprisingly close victory.
With the Coasters yet to record a win this season the side currently occupies the bottom peg on the ladder.
However, the final 80-64 scoreline against the top-ranked Lakers demonstrates the closeness of the competition this year.
For Portland it was Trenton Johnson who led the way on the scoreboard with a total of 16 points for the game, while Nathan Valori was close behind with 14.
Hill rounded out the double-figure scores for the Coasters, with Aaron Caldow falling just shy on nine points.
Black joined Kane deWit with a solid game, as he bagged a total of 15 points for the night in his best performance of the season, with six two-pointers and three free throws to his name.
Matthew Berkefeld also managed double figures, with 12 points to his name, while Brown contributed well with 11.
Zach deWit’s eight-point total saw him bag two three-pointers when they counted, along with two free throws.
He was followed by Sam Stafford with six points, while Lachlan Atkinson and Jack Wirth claimed four each.
This round will see the Lakers host the Ararat RedBacks on Sunday afternoon, in a match which should see the home team with its seventh win for 2017-18.
