Aces Sky’s men’s side got off to a strong start with a 10-point win over Dunsborough Oilers in round one of the 2018/19 Bunbury Basketball Association competition.
South West Slammer Cory Richardson gave the Oilers a run for their money on Friday night, shooting 26 points including five from behind the three-point line.
He led Aces Sky throughout the clash, with the side holding the lead in the first half and running out to a 13-point margin at the main break.
Aces Sky impressed with a solid 72 to 62 result.
Matthew Mansfield and Garrett Streater starred for Dunsborough with 16 and 15 respectively.
Fellow debutants Eaton Eagles were looking to get off and running against Tornadoes Red in the first round.
Speeding through Eaton’s defence while nailing seven within the two-point zone, Brodie Morris gave control of the game to Tornadoes Red.
A scoring spree helped the Tornadoes side to a 12-point lead at quarter time.
The Eagles were given few chances to move the ball into their half.
Tornadoes Red held a convincing margin for the rest of the game and eventually celebrated a 74 to 55 victory.
The reigning premiers, Bulls, were unstoppable in their all-out assault against an enthusiastic Aces White.
Aces White’s early burst of energy was short lived, as Bulls overtook its competition to claim a 10-point margin at the first change.
Wildcats Academy and South West Slammers player Travis Durnin was a force to reckoned with once again, landing six three-pointers and 30 points overall.
The fearsome Bulls’ line-up then extended its margin to forty points in the final term.
Bulls established itself as a league powerhouse with a 96 to 47 crushing.
Coming off a round one bye, Tornadoes Black will hit the court against Eaton next week.
Taking advantage of Bulls’ absence from the new season, 2017/18 runners-up Tornadoes Red was energetic during its five-point victory over Aces Sky’s women’s team.
After trailing for most of the first quarter, Tornadoes Red regained its form and nabbed a decisive eight-point lead by half time.
Aces Sky brought the margin back to two in the final term, before Phoebe Freeman and Cassady Anderson ensured a 61 to 56 win for Tornadoes Red.
Freeman landed six two-pointers and moved efficiently around the court.
Tornadoes Black made its presence known with an immaculate display against Dunsborough.
Vying or a win in their first competition game, the Oilers caught the opposition off-guard and dominated the first term.
Trailing by one at half time, Tornadoes Black then took the lead with assistance from State Basketball League stars Ebony Bilcich and Kelly Bastow.
Both teams tussled in the fourth, with Tornadoes Black ending up 64 to 57 victors.
Read more: