MOUNT Gambier’s Lakers men continued their undefeated run in the Country Basketball League on Saturday with another impressive victory.
The Lakers travelled to Warrnambool to face the Seahawks and returned 33-point victors to still sit top of the South West conference ladder.
It was a shared effort by the seven Lakers who made the trip, five of those finishing with double-figure scores.
Coach Kane de Wit topped those with 21 points.
Next on the list was Lachie Hunter with 18, followed by Jason Nysten with 15, Kurt Rodis 14 and Matt Berkefeld 11.
It was the fourth straight win from as many games for the Lakers this season, while the Seahawks are yet to register a victory.
For de Wit it has been a perfect start to the season, which has seen a different roster in most games.
However, he is not getting ahead of the game and said he expects other teams to pick up.
“It is a bit early to judge how it will all pan out,” he said.
“We have had guys in and out of our side already and I’m sure other teams have been in the same situation, so I’m not too sure where other teams stand yet.
“I know when we played Terang they were missing a few guys.”
At the moment de Wit said teams such as Horsham, Bellarine and Bacchus Marsh look strong, but he expects plenty of challenges from other sides as the season progresses.
“I’m sure Geelong will picke up a few really good wins,” he said.
“Horsham will definitely will pick up some good wins and teams like Portland and Warrnambool can be dangerous when they get their shooting on point and can be tough to beat.
“It will be interesting to see how it all pans out.”
The Lakers appear to have a full roster this week for the first time, but in the opening rounds it has been those fill-in players who have ensured an undefeated start.
The experience has come from de Wit and players such as Berkefeld and Stafford, while other younger players have taken to the court and held up their end of the bargain.
De Wit said that all comes from plenty of time together on the floor at a “local” level.
“A lot of us have played together before, but some of the guys who have not have seen each other week in, week out at local basketball,” he said.
“Knowing how someone else plays is the key for us at this stage of the season with guys coming and going.
“Josh (McGregor) has an anchor in the team with myself and Dellon (Brown), because he plays in our A Grade squad.
“Shaun Lock has Berky and Lachie Hunter, while Mitch (Hunter) has his brother as well.
“They have guys they have played with each week locally and it is like a trust thing.
“We trust them to do a job and they trust us to do a job.
“Everyone who has come in so far has done a good job”
De Wit said he was pleased with the form Lachie Hunter had showed so far, with his experience at college in the USA paying off.
“I do enjoy playing with Lachie,” he said.
“We work well together I think as a guard and big-man combo.
“I think he has come a long way in the last six to eight months since coming back from college and he has been working hard to get to where he needs to be.”
Likewise Jason Nysten was another player de Wit liked to have in his team for his toughness on the floor.
“He is a fantastic guy and is one of those guys I do not enjoy playing against in the local competition, but you love to have on your team,” he said.
“He plays hard and does all the little things.”
Add to that the captain’s role played by Berkefeld and you have a solid base for a big season ahead.
“With Matt, he is one of those guys who just goes out there and gets the job done,” de Wit said.
“He is always communicating the right thing and is never negative.
“He is very vocal with the younger guys and is a very good captain.
“I’m glad to be playing with him again this year.”
