CHARGING ON
Another win makes Hobart title favourite
The Chargers have firmed as SEABL South Conference title favourites after defeating Ballarat in the top-of-the-table clash yesterday afternoon. Hobart has moved a game clear with a game in hand after the eight-point victory — but had to withstand a huge second-half fightback from the visitors.
THE Chargers have withstood a stirring second half comeback from Ballarat to triumph in the top-of-the-table clash and take control of the SEABL South Conference at the midway point of the season.
A dominant first half saw Hobart bolt clear 57-37 at the main break yesterday at the Kingborough Sports Centre as American guard Chris Whitehead sparked the surge with 17 first half points — 14 of which came in the second stanza.
However, the Miners upped their defensive intensity after the break to storm back into the contest, making it a onepossession affair with just over a minute remaining.
Mathiang Muo then stepped up to prove he has ice in his veins by drilling back-toback three pointers to help the home side hang on 95-87 in front of an electrified sold-out arena.
While it appeared a tale of two halves, coach Anthony Stewart said he expected the visitors to mount a challenge after several of their key players found themselves in early foul trouble.
But even he couldn’t have expected to be in such a dogfight after his men looked in complete control for the opening 20 minutes on both ends of the floor.
“When you come up against quality teams — they got in some foul trouble in the first half — we knew they were going to respond,” Stewart said.
“I said to the guys at halftime it would end up a close game, they have a really good team it is just they got in foul trouble and things didn’t go their way in the first half.
“They changed a few defensive things up, we have some stuff to work on at training.
“If our offence isn’t working we have to grind in defence and in particular, if we make playoffs, it is something you have got to be able to do, because you can’t rely on your shots falling all the time.”
Muo finished with a gamehigh 26 points, while Whitehead had 21.
More pleasing for Stewart was the output of locals BJ Radcliffe (14 points with four long bombs) and Tiri Masunda (10 points) who both made clutch plays at crucial stages.
With Ballarat also going down to the North West Thunder on Friday night, the Chargers have skipped a game clear on top of their conference with an extra match in hand.
The side now has a week off before hitting the road in a fortnight for a clash with Bendigo and a rematch with the Miners.