Rangers guard Dwayne Campbell hit some huge baskets in Dandenong’s comeback victory at Sandringham on Sunday. 19980 By Paul Pickering
DOUBTERS be warned: the Dandenong Rangers dynasty is far from over.
That was clear at Sandringham on Sunday, when the Rangers rallied from an 11-point three-quarter time deficit to stun the Sabres 97-91.
In doing so, they clinched top spot in the Championship Men’s division and home court advantage throughout the play-offs, ensuring any raid on the Big V silverware will have to come through Dandenong’s Stud Road fortress.
Having clipped the Rangers at home on Anzac Day, the second-placed Sabres again started strongly on Sunday, taking a 15-5 lead within five minutes.
Despite some scrappy offensive sets, the Rangers managed to reclaim the lead on a three-point runner from diminutive guard Dwayne Campbell (13 points) approaching quarter-time.
The margin was the same at the main break, but the Sabres began to find their offensive rhythm in the third term.
Ex-Ranger Simon Conn (23, 13 rebounds) and cagey forward David Moore (14) were a force inside, while explosive Americans Jermaine Maybank (15) and Sedale Threatt (14) proved a handful on the perimeter.
Despite the consistent scoring of Rangers import Vince Inglima (23) and centre Brent Hobba (21), the visitors found themselves 13 points in arrears approaching the last break.
Inglima’s duel with Maybank was a highlight as the pair scrapped persistently throughout the afternoon.
At times the volatile Maybank looked set to take over, but he had his hands full at the other end and fouled out with seven minutes remaining.
Dandenong forward Ash Cannan (13), who sat out much of the third term with foul trouble, returned with vigour midway through the fourth.
And after Dwayne Campbell cut the deficit to two with a long-range bomb, it was Cannan who took the initiative in offence.
With a pair of free throws, Cannan effected the 23rd – and final – lead change of the match, as the Rangers seized a 91-89 advantage with 80 seconds remaining.
He scored again on the next possession, erupting with a characteristic cry of satisfaction as his team-mates leapt up from the bench in celebration.
Sandringham coach Vince Crivelli had nothing but admiration for the Rangers after the match, confirming that Dandenong was still the team to beat.
Meanwhile, Rangers boss Warren Dawson was eyeing the job ahead.
“We’re certainly not getting ahead of ourselves,” he said. “There’s still a lot of improvement left in the group, but bring on the play-offs.”
Before they begin their play-offs campaign, the Rangers have an untimely trip to Warrnambool to face the winless Seahawks on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Dandenong’s Championship Women will be hoping to secure second place with a win over the lowly Bulleen Boomers at Stud Road on Sunday.
While Dandenong is safe within the play-offs bracket, it will be battling Waverley and Melbourne for second billing behind Hume City.
The Rangers missed an opportunity to take second spot when they lost to Hume City 64-60 on Saturday night, only to redeem themselves with a 66-50 victory over the Sabres on Sunday.
Imposing centre Demelza Waixel (18, 12) was the driving force behind Sunday’s win, while Faith Probst (15) and Mel Colcott (14) provided sound support.
Sabres guard Nicole Hunt, who will join the Rangers in the Women’s National Basketball League this summer, scored 26 points to lead her side.
This Sunday’s home game will begin at 2pm.
