Team effort key to Mountaineers’ run
BASKETBALL: Two points is all that separated the Mountaineers and what would have been a perfect weekend.
Kirstyn Lunniss was a dominant force for the Mountaineers women, but even her heroics (26 points and seven rebounds) were not enough to get her side over the line against SD Spartans.
The Mountaineers won three of the four quarters on Saturday, but a poor opening stanza, which they lost 24-10, ultimately proved costly in their 64-63 loss.
With that agonising defeat still fresh in their minds, the Mountaineers turned things around in stunning fashion on Sunday, handing North Gold Coast their first loss of the season.
Lunniss (20 points) topped the scoring for her side again and was supported by new signing Francis Donders (20 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists) in the Mountaineers’ 74-71 win.
“Overall it was a fairly positive weekend – we were very unfortunate to not come away with two wins,” Mountaineers women’s coach Matt Cox said.
“But to beat North Gold Coast who were previously undefeated at home is a massive momentum boost for the rest of our season.
“The tale of our season is we haven’t been able to put the same line-up in back-toback games.
“Over the weekend, we fortunately were able to put the same line-up out and hopefully we will welcome back Racquel Spies this weekend.
“Hopefully we can have that consistency, and once we have that consistency, I am sure more results will follow.” MEN CLIMB AGAIN
Now unbeaten in their past three games, the Mountaineers have climbed to second on the QSL ladder.
The side started their weekend with a gritty 89-74 road win against SD Spartans and finished with an 92-79 win over North Gold Coast at home on Sunday.
“Taking away both games was an absolutely great effort from the boys,” Mountaineers men’s coach Darryl Allen said.
“It’s a funny one because in the first game it was kind of like we were asleep for the first quarter and eight minutes, and then we came awake right before halftime and then the boys took it away from there.
“Yesterday (Sunday) it was a little bit topsy-turvy, but it was good to see the boys come away with a win.
“The fourth quarter was where we took it.
“It was to and fro for the first three (quarters), but the standout for me was James Wol.
“He really just lifted the team in the last quarter.”
After a disjointed start to the season, the Mountaineers have evolved and adapted in recent weeks as they stake a claim as title contenders.
Allen and his squad know their rise will bring increased pressure from other teams, but the structures that have served them well will not change.
“The structures we have been working on, and we do add new ones every now and again, but the way the game is being played is and the way the boys are running it is working well for us,” Allen said.
“One of the biggest things I try to instil in the guys is we are not relying on that one person every game.
“That makes it a lot harder for the opposition because if we have more than one guy we can rely on it makes it harder to defend.”