Lester Strong scored 26 points in the Dandenong Rangers’ five-point loss to Waverley in the opening match of the Big V championship season.By Glen Atwell
THE Dandenong Rangers made a sluggish start to the Big V championship season, losing 90-85 against Waverley at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Saturday night.
The men’s side could not match the tempo set by Waverley in the opening quarter and trailed 30-18 at quarter-time after making just five field goals from 19 attempts and no three-point shots from eight attempts.
Dandenong, inspired by American import Lester Strong, turned the tables in the second quarter and outscored the visitors by 12 points, levelling the scores.
The seesawing contest swung back in Waverley’s favour after half-time as Dandenong found nothing but air from the three-point arc.
Rangers long-range specialists Mark Roberts and Brent Hobba attempted 18 three-point shots between them, but managed to find the net only twice.
Both teams shot below 40 per cent from the field, but Waverley’s 50 per cent conversion rate from the outside arc proved the difference between the sides.
Dandenong managed to basket only 11 per cent of their three-point attempts.
Under an ankle injury cloud, Strong played 44 minutes and scored 26 points in a team-best performance.
Waverley forward James Anderson scored 29 points in his 41 minutes, netting six impressive three-pointers along the way.
Dandenong will no doubt be searching for its first win of the season when it takes on Eltham at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium at 2pm on Sunday.
The Dandenong Rangers women’s side made an impressive start to the Big V championship season, defeating Waverley 71-52 at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Saturday evening.
Jess Shearing made an impressive start to the season for the Rangers, scoring 16 points.
