THE Dandenong Rangers National Wheelchair Basketball League team took on the visiting Wollongong Roller Hawks at the weekend, successfully securing a vital double of wins ahead of the four-week World Championships break.
In game one of the double header, played on Saturday night (17 June), Australian representatives Shaun Groenewegen (Rangers) and Tristan Knowles (Roller Hawks) went head to head and led the way for their respective teams.
The Roller Hawks surged late in the quarter to take a five-point lead into the first change. However, the second term belonged to the Rangers.
Tight defence limited opportunities for Knowles, limiting the young gun to only five points for the quarter. Instead points came from South Africa international player Nick Taylor, with eight points from long range.
For Groenewegen, a dominant 21-point display turned the game around and saw the six point deficit turn into a six-point lead at the half for the Rangers, leading 46-40.
The Rangers continued with constant defensive pressure in the third quarter, forcing the Roller Hawks to commit eight turnovers and only add nine points to their half time total.
Another 13 points for Groenewegen took his total to 43, with the Rangers distancing themselves from the Roller Hawks to lead by 22 points at three-quarter time.
Brett Stibners (Roller Hawks) and Andrew Flavell (Rangers), both also set to represent Australia at the pending World Championships, got busy in the final term, Stibners taking his game total to ten points, while Flavell was instrumental in setting up his Rangers’ teammates.
Rangers junior, Jason Brant, added seven final-term points to lead all scorers in the fourth quarter.
With another convincing quarter, the Rangers would hit the magical 100 and secure an important 34-point victory.
The final score line was Rangers 100 d Roller Hawks 66.
Scorers: Groenewegen (50 points, 18 rebounds, 12 assists) led the Rangers with a commanding triple double, including five long range bombs from beyond the arc.
Co-captain Tom Fraser (17 points, 16 rebounds) and Brant (11 points, 5 rebounds) provided the Rangers with strong support.
For the Roller Hawks, Knowles (27 points, six rebounds), Taylor (11 points, five assists) and Stibners (10 points, six rebounds) were best.
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