Trevor Jackson
THE Millicent Magic men left no doubt about their intentions when they hosted the Surfcoast Chargers on Saturday night in Round 7 of the Country Basketball League.
The Magic claimed an easy 133-69 win in the end, set up with a blistering first quarter.
While the Chargers would normally have felt good about their 21-point opening term, the Magic blew them out of the water with 42 first-quarter points.
The second term saw a more even affair, but from there it was again all about the Magic.
The third term saw 34 points to the home side, with the visitors only able to add 20, while a final-stanza blitz saw another 35 added to the Millicent scorecard, with the Chargers adding just 11 more.
Solid efforts from Cameron Primmer (28) and Declan Coles (22) provided the Chargers with something to smile about, but it was Jackson Bowden who topped the list for Millicent, with 30 points to his name.
Fellow Magic players Jack Haggett (27), Kade Bradley (25) and Harry Mules (10) all reached double figures in the whitewash.
“Surfcoast was a good win to peg back a bit of percentage after the Portland game,” coach Darren Dean said.
“We knew they were undermanned but they were super competitive.
“The scoreboard probably didn’t reflect the game.”
Dean said he gave youngster Bowden the job of defending Primmer, which he was up for.
“Jackson was able to score off him so got reward for his efforts,” he said.
“All 12 players scored on the night which was pleasing.
“Kade (Bradley) had a terrific weekend across the two games.
“He stepped up offensively and defensively.”
The Magic continued on their winnings ways on Sunday, with a hard-fought 104-92 victory over the Ararat Redbacks.
Prior to Round 7 the Redbacks had sat top of the ladder, but a defeat at the hands of Mount Gambier on Saturday night was followed up with another loss to Millicent and the standings have now changed.
The Magic were forced to fight hard for the win, with Redback Zac Dunmore in impressive form around the hoop, finishing with a game-high 38 points, while Josh Fiegert contributed 26.
However, Millicent had an answer as the game tightened down the stretch and claimed the win in a tough hit-out.
Bowden continued his good form with 24 points, but it was Kade Bradley who top scored for the home side with 25.
Frazer Bradley added 22 and Haggett 19.
The win was impressive, considering the Redbacks were top of the table.
“We knew it would be tough, but we knew they were a couple of players light on so it was a chance to see where we were at,” Dean said.
“They came across undefeated but it probably helped us a bit Mount Gambier could beat them up on Saturday night and we got them on a loss.”
Dean said the plan for thew weekend was to hopefully lock down second place on the ladder and his players could not have done a better job, especially with the performance of Dunmore for the visitors.
“Dunmore shot the lights out but Jackson Bowden hung in with him and again was able to score back the other way,” he said.
“That was good for him and his experience and exposure at that next level.”
The weekend’s result showed the side is up for the challenge and can play a disciplined contest.
“We have talked about it, since the Portland game, we need to get better at controlling our emotions and focus on playing basketball rather than worrying about the umpires and the opposition so much,” Dean said.
“That has been the pleasing thing the last two weeks – they have just gone out and done the job.”
With a big clash against Mount Gambier fast approaching, Dean said his players were ready for Friday night’s contest.
“It is always good with the cross-town rivalry,” he said.
“It will be top spot up for grabs potentially.
“We will go there confident, with a bit of our height and athleticism and the young guys who have no ceiling on where they can get to.
“We know the strengths of the Mount and have to focus on trying to contain their scoring, but we are difficult to contain with the guys who are scoring for us.”
The top-of-the-table clash will take place at the Icehouse on Friday night at 8pm.
