Dandenong Rangers star Ash Cannan helped blast his side to a 130-84 victory against Ringwood on the weekend, scoring 25 points. Picture: Glen Atwell.By Glen Atwell
THE Dandenong Rangers continued their domination of the Big V Championship Men’s division, smashing Ringwood 130-84 at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Saturday night.
Ringwood is far from ordinary, but the undefeated Rangers were simply irresistible as they powered towards a 46-point win.
It was Dandenong’s seventh consecutive victory of the season, and the Rangers’ perfect record isn’t likely to be broken any time soon.
Ash Cannan destroyed his Ringwood counterparts, netting 25 points and collecting 12 rebounds.
Cannan scored at 66 per cent from the field, nailing 12 of 18 two-point shots.
But it was the all-round brilliance of Dandenong that won the match in such convincing style.
Brent Hobba (19 points), Vince Inglima (16), Matt Witherden (15), Adrian Campbell (10) and Dwayne Campbell (11) all scored in double figures.
The Rangers had Ringwood covered from start to finish, extending their lead at every break.
A 32-21 quarter-time lead extended to 69-44 at half-time, and the game was all but over.
The Dandenong defence held Ringwood danger man Willie Weimer to just eight points, though Curtis Small and Luke McMillan (both 18 points) did provide the Rangers with some headaches.
At 7-0 and heading into round six as the outright premiership favourite, the Rangers could not be flying any higher.
A pessimist would suggest that things can only go downhill.
But the Dandenong side is improving each week and is much more balanced than last year’s championship-winning team.
This Saturday night the Rangers travel to Werribee to take on the Devils, who have had a tough 2-4 start to the season.
