By JARROD POTTER
BIG V – ROUND 6
AFTER hard-fought battles in Division 2 over the years, promotion this season ensured the Keysborough Cougars got a chance to square off against the old rivals Casey Cavaliers once again.
But it was not the night the Cougars’ hoped for, as they were punished 84-52 by the impressive Cavaliers’ outfit.
Shooting proved the Cougars’ Achilles heel as it could only muster 25 per cent from the field and 44 per cent from the line.
Aaron Abram (20 points) was the best of the Cougars while Ben Morwood (10 points, nine rebounds) and David Smith (10 points, seven rebounds) worked hard at both ends of the court.
The Cougars’ ladies had it equally tough – downed by flag favourites Blackburn 49-75. Katie O’Neill (19 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals) had a phenomenal outing, as did Amy Leslie (15 points, six steals) and hard-rebounding Tamara Matecic (six points, 16 rebounds).
Keysborough’s men travel to Mildura on Saturday night while the women host North East on Saturday evening.
In SEABL results, the Rangers just held onto home-court superiority as both sides dispatched Geelong Supercats.
The women had to go to overtime to take an 84-76 win and see off a few familiar faces. Dandenong ex-pats Alex Bunton and Rosie Fadljevic were tough asks for the current Rangers’ crew, but the Rangers came from behind to force it further.
Amelia Todhunter (13 points, five rebounds) made her return to the Rangers’ uniform and excelled alongside long-time sparring partners Clare Papavs (27 points, seven rebounds), Aimie Clydesdale (18 points) and the walking double-double Lauren Scherf (12 points, 17 rebounds).
The men’s team had a nail-biter, winning 87-85 as the usual suspects Lucas Walker (22 points, nine rebounds), Andrew Harms (22 points) and Daequon Montreal (20 points, eight rebounds) excelled.
Dandenong will host Launceston on Sunday afternoon.
