Trimble show has returned to stage
SNAKES coach Mike Kelly would like to see the ball move more offensively in the club’s final nine games of the NBL season.
After the brightest spot of Cairns’ 2018-19 season, a breakthrough victory over Brisbane and near upset of Sydney just days later, when the offence flowed and the ball moved, the stagnant Taipans were run down by Melbourne United on Sunday night.
The bottom-of-the-ladder Snakes started the season using Melo Trimble’s isolation offence skills but went away from it in the middle part of the campaign, looking to get the ball to shooter Devon Hall or deep post touches to Nate Jawai.
The one-man show of Trimble was back over the weekend against Perth and Melbourne.
Trimble was full of confidence after his 32 points on Friday evening as he took five of Cairns’ first eight shots on Sunday.
All five found the net as he jumped out to 11 points before five minutes was played.
He had 18, making all eight of his shots, by the time the first period ended, before finishing the game with 42 points.
“I do want the ball to move more and when someone is hot, I want them fed the ball,” Kelly said.
“Right now we have had different guys step up and score; recently it has been Nate and Melo.
“I really was happy with tonight until the second half of the fourth quarter. I thought we did not arrest our lack of direction Thursday Adelaide v Perth Friday Illawarra v New Zealand Saturday Sydney v Adelaide, Brisbane v Cairns Sunday Perth v Melbourne Monday Cairns v New Zealand STARTERS SHOTS Big win over Brisbane Trimble — eight shots Other four starters — 30 Close loss to Sydney Trimble — 20 Other four starters — 46 Win over Perth Trimble — 19 Other four starters — 33 Overtime defeat to Melbourne Trimble — 27 Other four starters — 31 well enough and I take full responsibility for that and not helping the guys find that more.
“There is frustration in how we played and how we helped (Melbourne).”
United coach Dean Vickerman was happy to walk away with the win, despite the club struggling to contain Cairns for three quarters.
“Any win in this competition is a good win,” Vickerman said. “I thought we didn’t shoot well early but once we started making our shots, it made a big difference.”
The Taipans travel to Brisbane on Saturday to take on their Queensland rivals, a club they have beaten twice this season. STAR POWER: The Taipans’ Melo Trimble (right) has brought more spark to the side’s offence during recent games. CAIRNS’ Cayla George has been selected in the latest Australian Opals squad following her promising WNBL form.
Basketball Australia last week released a 22-player squad for 2019, which includes the FIBA Asia Cup as well as qualifying games for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2022 FIBA World Cup.
The squad includes familiar faces like Liz Cambage, Abby Bishop, Jenna O’Hea, Steph Talbot and Tess Madgen, but also ample new fresh faces.
The announcement comes after Opals coach Sandy Brondello, who led the side to a silver medal at the FIBA World Cup in September, toured the country to watch an array of WNBL matches and help her pick the squad.
■ Mareeba’s Aron Baynes went through shooting drills with a wrap on his hand before the Boston Celtics played Orlando on Sunday afternoon.
He’s been cleared for everything but contact and will be re-evaluated early this week.
He is recovering from a broken hand.
■ Tully product Kim Carroll and her Perth Glory were shocked by the Newcastle Jets 3-1 on Saturday evening.
Three second-half goals to Arin Wright, Tara Andrews and Cortnee Vine cancelled out Sam Kerr’s record 50th strike in Glory colours to keep their dream of post-season participation alive.
Carroll played the full 90 minutes in the defeat, finding 45 touches of the football.
Her Glory sit third on the W-League ladder.