It was a glorious weekend of basketball for the South West Slammers in round seven.
The Slammers’ women’s side, fresh from licking its wounds after a loss to Rockingham, was looking to impress the home crowd.
Overcoming a strong start from Cockburn’s Isabelle Miotti (20 points), Slammers’ star Charlotte van Kleef (24) gave her side an early lead.
Both sides missed chances inside the key, before the home side hung on to lead by two at quarter time.
After making several substitutions, the Cougars took the lead in the second with help from Taryn Priestly (10).
The sharp shooting of Courtney Bayliss (18) and Georgia Denehey (10) saw the Slammers race out to a convincing lead midway through the term.
Under the guidance of captain Kate Fielding (12), the home side zipped around the court and dominated possession.
Despite the efforts of Kisha Lee (10) and Brianna Moyes (8), the Cougars could not stop the Slammers’ run.
The home side was determined not to squander its 18-point lead at the main break.
The Slammers maintained composure and kept the visitors from converting chances.
Tori Fisher was effective around the court and nabbed a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds.
The Slammers extended its lead to 23 by the final change.
Raya Thompson’s sharp free throws helped her side to a 90 to 72 win.
The team currently sits eighth on the league ladder.
Eager for its first win of the season, the Slammers’ men’s team kept its eyes on the prize.
The home side caught Cockburn napping in the first term.
Captain Clive Harvey Weeden (15) and Demetrius Robinson (10) took advantage of the visitors’ sluggish start.
The Slammers piled on the points while keeping the Cougars at bay in defence.
A thrilling performance from Michael Lay (26) put the margin out to 16 points at quarter time.
Following a series of turnovers and fouls from the Slammers, Steven Van Lit (8) helped Cockburn shrink the margin to eight points.
In front by 12 at the main break, the Slammers needed to control play throughout the second half.
Despite top form from Travis Durnin (22), his side wavered slightly in the third.
Cougars Julian Pesava (17) and Brandon Sebirumbi (13) kept their side’s chances of a comeback alive.
Cockburn came within five points of the Slammers in the fourth, before the home side rallied to score an 88 to 77 victory.
The Slammers will face off against Perry Lakes Hawks at Eaton Recreation Centre in round nine.
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