Top weekend for Hornets
The cross-wimmera Country Basketball League rivalry between Horsham Hornets and Ararat Redbacks officially began at Ararat Fitness Centre on Sunday, with Horsham claiming a 21-point victory.
The teams were neck and neck at quarter time, but Horsham rode the momentum of a massive 43-point second quarter to a 103-82 win.
Tim Pickert and Matt Lovel were instrumental for the visitors, combining for 26 points in the second quarter.
Damien Skurrie and Mitch Martin also contributed in a strong team effort.
Ararat fought on gamely after halftime, with Zac Dunmore’s 26 points including eight three-pointers, and DJ Woods’ 25 keeping the Redbacks competitive.
Ararat coach Marcus Jenkins said he was happy with his team despite a few mental lapses.
“Horsham beat us by 50 or 60 in a practice match before the season, so it was a big improvement,” he said.
“I thought we were pretty good but giving up a 43-point quarter was not too flash.
“I’m happy with how we are going as long as we keep going forwards and not backwards.”
Jenkins was buoyed by Ararat’s earlier performance against Warrnambool Seahawks on Saturday night.
The Redbacks were far too strong for the visiting Seahawks, winning 108-68.
Dunmore and Josh Fiegert combined for 60 points in the victory.
Jenkins said Dunmore’s two performances at the weekend showed why he was respected across the league.
“You come to expect that of Zac. That’s what he’s there for and that’s why he’s in our leadership group,” he said.
In Horsham’s other game at the weekend the Hornets dismantled Bacchus Marsh 101-57 at Horsham Basketball Stadium.
The young Lions were missing some of their usual contributors and it showed as the Hornets ran rampant after half-time.
The big win saw young Hornets players such as Jeremiah and Austin Mckenzie, Harley Pope, Martin and Sam Breuer receive plenty of court time.
Horsham now sits second on the south-west conference ladder after three straight victories to begin the season and will have two weeks off before a home game against Hamilton Hurricanes on November 10.
The Redbacks are sixth and have a one-week break before travelling to play Bacchus Marsh on November 3 and Bellarine Storm on November 4.
Lady Hornets
Horsham Lady Hornets bounced back from a first-round loss to Portland with two strong victories at the weekend.
The Lady Hornets were too strong for Colac Kookas at home on Saturday, dispatching them 81-54 on the back of big performances from Ema Iredell, Faith Mckenzie and Rebecca Mcintyre.
The three netted a combined 66 points, outscoring the Kookas on their own.
Horsham faced a sterner test against Bellarine on Sunday, withstanding a dogged Storm outfit to win 88-71.
Bellarine’s Jessica Watson and Raini Matthews formed a formidable duo, scoring 20 points each, but Iredell produced another big game for Horsham.
Iredell proved a handful for Bellarine defenders, earning repeated trips to the free-throw line and converting her opportunities to finish with a gamehigh 32 points.
Georgia Hiscock and Caitlin Story were among Horsham’s other key contributors.
The Lady Hornets’ next match against Millicent on November 4. is