BASKETBALL
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In the first upset of the season of the men’s basketball competition, Southside 66s lowered the colours of the previously unbeaten Country Physio last week 50-36.
Southside outscored Country Physio in every quarter, the closest a 10-9 lead after the first, which they had extended to 23-15 by half-time.
Dean Saxby inflicted most of the pain on the Physio team, rebounding strongly at both ends finishing with 17 points.
But it was the speed of their fast break that continually caught the Country Physio defence napping.
With Physio definitely off their game, the lead to Southside of 11 points at half-time was looking a hard mountain to climb,
Had they only dropped three more points to their opponents by the final break, it was apparent that 66s had their measure and they kept pressure on until the end, claiming the final quarter 18-15 for an eyebrow raising 14-point victory.
Cal Hobson with 11 points and Sebastian Flack eight were in the thick of the action, while for Country Physio Jim Disher 14, Liam Young 10 and Andrew Channon six.
Dream Team rose to the occasion in their match against Crystal Clear Rams (1), giving the defending premiers a torrid time in the latter stages of the match before succumbing 45-36.
Followers of the teenagers have been patiently waiting for them to produce the goods, and after being down 15-3 at quarter time, they gave Crystal Clear plenty to ruminate on at half-time after they were outscored 11-10 in the second period, although still trailing by 11 points.
Normally the third quarter is where Dream Team have a siesta, this time however they pressed hard to get back into the match by the final break to give them a shot at an upset win.
Thirteen points from Harley Zulueta and six to Rhys George kept them in the game.
Experience counts when teams are under pressure, and Crystal Clear Rams were coolness personified in the final period.
Graeme Brown, Steve Consadine and Blake Joseph combined to stave-off the surging finish from Dream Team for a narrow, but in the end comfortable, win of nine points.
Scoring for Crystal Clear were Nathan Martyn 11 points, Blake Joseph nine and Anthony Hamson eight.
Harley Zulueta set the scoreboard alight for Dream team with 20 points, Rhys George 10 and Cal Hawkins four.
Mambas received a forfeit from Hairy Globetrotters.
n Tonight’s draw:
At PCYC
6.30pm - Country Physio v Telstra
7.30pm - Adam Keightley Constructions v Crystal Clear Rams 1
At St Matthews
6.30pm - Crystal Clear Rams 2 v Dream Team
7.30pm - Mambas v Southside 66s