Trevor Jackson
IT was an easy run for the Mount Gambier Lakers women on Sunday at the Ichouse when they hosted the Surfcoast Chargers.
The Chargers came off a strong defeat at the hands of Millicent Magic on Saturday night, with little resistance for the Lakers.
By the long break the game was all-but over, with the Lakers enjoying a 48-24 lead.
In the end it was a 92-49 result favouring the home side, with Sarah Ritter returning to her best form, with a game-high 22 points.
Sophie Miles also joined in the scoring with 16 points to her name, while Mikaela Horrigan (15) and Olivia Wormald (11) also reaching double figures for the Lakers.
Contributions on the scoreboard came from every Laker who took the floor, with 10 in total, which proved too big a challenge for the Chargers.
Just Isabella Beechham and Holly Robinson reached double figures for the visitors, with 12 points each.
Coach Bryan Green was pleased with the result, especially considering the younger players in his squad.
“I was pretty happy with the game – we did what we needed to do,” he said.
“We had four Under 18 girls in the team which makes it a bit better.”
The Lakers were on from the first whistle, opening a handy first-quarter lead, which Green said was important.
“It is pretty important, especially knowing Millicent beat them pretty easily the day before,” he said.
“We thought we would win, but it is hard going into a game thinking you will win.
“I thought the girls started well which was good.”
Despite the big disparity in the scores at the end of the game, Green said it was anything but an easy contest.
“They were pretty physical and played pretty hard,” he said.
“They drove pretty hard to the basket and didn’t just roll over and let us beat them.”
A clash against top side Millicent is set down for Friday night at the Icehouse, which Green said would be an entertaining clash.
Both sides have players unavailable, which may even the contest somewhat.
“Millicent will have a good group on the floor and we will have a few players unavailable, but it should be an entertaining game,” Green said.
“Millicent v Mount Gambier is always a tough match, they are a tough side but we will give it a crack.
“It will be good to watch on Friday night before the junior carnival kicks off.”
