Trevor Jackson
THE Mount Gambier Lakers men turned it on for the home crowd at the Icehouse on Sunday, with a come-from-behind win over Colac Kookoas.
The Country Basketball League Round 3 clash produced an entertaining and high-standard spectacle, with the Lakers managing to break away after the long break for a 101-71 victory.
The Kookas had a tough double-header road trip, going down to Millicent Magic on Saturday night by just two points.
They then faced the Lakers early on Sunday and the game was in the balance for three quarters.
Three-point shooting feature as the lead changed hands numerous times during each quarter.
Scores were tied up at the first break, until the Lakers opened up a small lead, only to see it evaporate and the Kookas take the the advantage 50-48 through experience and strong work inside the keyway at half time.
Kyle Tipene found range in the opening minutes of the third quarter to set up a nine-point margin, the biggest of the game to that point, in what would be a 26-point game from the effervescent guard.
From there the teams traded baskets, with the Lakers going into the final quarter with a lead of 74-63.
The final 10 minutes took on a different look as the Lakers dominated in a 27-8 blitz over a spent Kookas, to record an impressive 30 point win.
The Lakers finished the game on a high on the back of a Scott O’Connor “buzzer beater” three, taking the team total into triple figures.
Lakers playing coach Kane deWit said it was a good game for his side, with a real challenge early from the visitors.
Despite the pressure applied by the Kookas, deWit’s message to his players was simple.
“My message to the guys was they were shooting the lights out and sticking with us in terms of running, but they played the day before and would run out of legs eventually,” he said.
“I told the boys to just keep pushing the ball, as we want to play, we want to play fast, keep running and we managed to get a bit of a buffer in the third, then blew them away in the last.”
The Lakers broke the game open in the third term, much to do with some strong defence.
“The third quarter got us on top,” deWit said.
“We were up by about 15 mid-way through the third term.
“We went on a good run where we were really good defensively and we limited what they were trying to do.
“Then I think they had only eight points in the last quarter – they just seemed to run out of legs, missed some easy shots and we took control.”
DeWit praised the effort of Tipene to help put the game back in the Lakers favour, along with youngster Ben Young, who finished the day with 19 points.
“Ben is 17 years old and has been training with the Pioneers all year,” he said.
“He is making some good progress which is good to see.”
DeWit contributed 23 points himself, along with 10 from Nelson Forbes to finish with four players in double figures.
“That’s how we want to play,” deWit said.
“We want to get everyone involved, move the ball around and shoot the ball if they are open.
“It has been a good start to the season for us.”
The Lakers now have a bye before a trip to Terang to face the Tornadoes.
