James Murphy
IT was a successful double-header road trip for the Millicent Magic men in Round 10 of the 2022-23 Country Basketball League season.
They have now jumped from fourth to third on the ladder and sit in a strong position heading into a clash with top-placed Mount Gambier next round.
The weekend opened with a game against Colac Kookas, which earned the Magic a 15-point win, before a 10-point triumph over Terang Tornadoes wrapped up the round.
Against the Kookas Millicent was off to a strong start, outscoring its host 27-17 in the opening term.
However, a lapse in the second allowed Colac back in front by half time, as the Magic managed a lowly eight points for the quarter.
A renewed effort after half time turned the tables back to Millicent’s favour and it won the next two periods both by nine points.
Jack Haggett had a day out and was firing from inside and out.
He was dangerous under the basket and top scored with 31 points, while he was also proficient from long range with four three-pointers.
Kade Bradley and Harry Mules backed him both on 15 points, equal with Colac’s best scorer Jared Boyce.
Sunday’s clash with Terang was a closer affair, but again it was Haggett who led the charge with 25 points.
The Magic started strongly again to set up an eight-point quarter-time lead.
However, the Tornadoes chipped that back to three in a high-scoring second term.
Another big output from Millicent in the third put it in good stead and despite winning the final stanza by two points, Terang could no recover.
Jackson Bowden and Bradley were solid in attack and their 17 points each complemented Haggett’s performance, while Mules also broke into double figures again with 14.
Both the weekend’s games were must-wins if the Magic was to keep themselves in the top four and they now carry confidence into a heavyweight rematch with Mount Gambier this week.
