THE Mount Gambier Lakers men stormed into the 2019-20 Country Basketball League playoffs after they easily accounted for the Terang Tornadoes in the final minor round clash of the season.
The two sides faced off at the Icehouse to round out the season, with a 93-53 win to the home side.
The Tornadoes brought just six players to the game, while the Lakers missed the services of coach Matt Berkefeld and point guard Kyle Tipene.
However, the Lakers’ losses were barely apparent as they claimed the win on the back of six double-figure scorers and finished the season in second place behind Geelong United after losing just one game in the minor rounds.
Saturday’s result was never in doubt for the Lakers, after they skipped out to an 11-2 lead mid-way through the opening term.
Simon Berkefeld opened proceedings with a three-point bomb to set the scene, while Jordan Hollitt was on target early with a couple of triples.
Lachlan Hunter found his range and with a minute to play in the term the Lakers led 23-7 on the back of a Kurt Rodis two.
Rodis then rounded out the first quarter with a three-point basket to give the Lakers a 28-9 advantage at the first break.
The Tornadoes started the second term with a two-point basket to Logan McLeod, but Sam Stafford stepped up for the home side with a three, plus a pair of twos to stretch the margin again.
Hunter and Berkefeld combined mid-way through the term with three straight baskets and the visitors were in real trouble.
As the long break approached Rodis iced a pair of free throws, while Hunter dropped a two to put the Lakers 33 points clear at half time.
Things did not improve for the Tornadoes after the break, as Stafford and Hollitt found their range beyond the arc, while Berkefeld and Rodis continued to work hard in close and find the tough baskets.
When Stafford dropped another three and Hunter a two with just two minutes to play in the term, the Lakers were out by 43 points and cruising to victory.
The Tornadoes hit back through Treyzan Ahu, who drained back-to-back twos, but at the final break the margin was still a healthy 40 points and the Lakers were all-but home.
The final stanza was an even contest, with much of the sting taken out of the game.
However, the Lakers refused to yield and held the 40-point margin until the final whistle.
Stafford and Hunter shared top billing on the score sheets with 18 points each.
Rodis and Berkefeld chipped in with 13 apiece, Ousey contributed 12 and Hollitt rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11.
The Lakers will again be at home on Saturday night as they enter the playoffs and host the fourth-placed Colac Kookas in the second semi-final.
