Wimmera rival Stawell Wildcats proved no match for their opponents in either game, losing the women’s match by 51 points and the men’s by 67.

The Hornets men were particularly impressive, with co-coach Cam Bruce labeling the performance the most complete game his side had played this season.

Horsham was switched on from the opening tip, applying a stifling full-court press the Wildcats could not navigate.

Repeated turnovers led to Tim Pickert layups at the other end of the court.

The game was over at quarter time, with the Hornets posting an incredible lead of 32-3 at the first break.

Although the scoring picked up slightly for the Wildcats, the Hornets were always in control and could afford to give their bench players more minutes.

Nine of the 11 players who stepped onto the court scored, led by Pickert’s 29 points.

Damien Skurrie added 20 points of his own and Tim Friend had a good night in his last game as a Hornet, scoring 19 points.

Friend is moving to Darwin and will not play the rest of the season.

Joel Freeland and Jared Ohayon were Stawell’s top scorers with 11 and nine points respectively.

Bruce said he was impressed by the commitment the team showed. 

‘‘Before the game we made a conscious effort to talk about how we wanted to play,’’ he said.

‘‘From the start we really wanted to put the pressure on them and blow them out early and that’s what we did.’’

Bruce said Friend’s absence would be a loss for the team, but would provide developing big man Jon Schwarz an opportunity to step up.

He said the team was happy to go into the new year break equal top on the ladder, but still had areas of its game to improve on before finals.

In the women’s curtain-raiser it was a similar story, with Horsham getting the jump on Stawell early.

The Hornets led 22-8 after one quarter.

Grace Bibby led the Wildcats with 14 points, but Horsham was able to get contributions out of every player.

Five players scored in double figures for the Hornets including twins Maddie and Ema Iredell, who were the team’s equal top scorers with 16 points apiece.

It was an encouraging performance for the team, which will be without captain Caitlin Story for the rest of the season after she tore ligaments in her ankle.