Stingrays down to Thunder first up

CORIO BAY has failed to get its Big V State Championship men’s season off to a winning start, going down to Keilor Thunder by 17 points away from home yesterday.

It was the Stingrays’ inability to convert that hurt them the most, failing to put any scoreboard pressure on last year’s Division 1 champions.

Coach Paul Hutchison said there was plenty of room for improvement after the 79-62 defeat, his first game at the helm.

“Our inability to make open jump shots or get to the foul line for the game costs us dearly,” he said.

“After getting it back to nine points early in the fourth quarter, we gave up consecutive easy lay ups and rebounds.

“Their imports Hanner Mosquera-Perea (16 points, 13 rebounds) and Jordan Coleman (21 points, 10 rebounds) proved too big and athletic.”

But Hutchison said his side could turn it around against Hawthorn Magic at home next Sunday.

“Phil Renteria with 18 points at 80 per cent shooting was the only shining light on offence,” he said.

“We hit six from 23 from three-point range and 26.1 per cent as a team for Corio Bay just not good enough.

“The boys battled hard on the glass, only losing the rebound count by five.

“We’ll be looking for more aggression offensively and a more physical approach to our defence.”

New recruit Jackson Bentley (14 points, five rebounds) and Michael Rebula (10 points, seven turnovers) were also serviceable in the loss.

The club hopes to reveal its import this week, after visa issues delayed his move to Australia.