THE Horsham Hornets have moved one step closer to ensuring they finish their first season in the North West Country Basketball League division on top of the ladder, after defeating Kyneton Tigers at home on Saturday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A full strength Hornets outfit accounted for the Tigers by 35 points, winning 89-54 in front of their home crowd. The win takes their season record to 11 wins and one loss heading into the final round next week.
A Hornets win next week against Mildura will secure top spot for Horsham, while if they were to lose, superior percentage over Bendigo should still see them finish the season on top.
The Hornets started their game against Kyneton strong, scoring 29 points in the opening quarter to lead by 14 at the first break.
It was a scrappy second quarter, with a solid defensive display from the Hornets restricting their rivals to just 11 points in the second term. The Hornets were kept relatively quiet in the second quarter as well, scoring 13 points to increase their lead to 16 at the half-time break.
Horsham rediscovered their scoring form in the third quarter, with James Hallet getting the quarter off to a good start with a quick three-pointer.
The Hornets found multiple scorers, with Tim Pickert, Matt Lovel, Damien Kilpatrick, Cam Bruce and Ben Hobbs all contributing in the third term.
Kyneton provided little in the way of resistance in the final quarter as Horsham went on a 19-0 scoring run to take the game well and truly away from the Tigers.
Pickert scored eight points in the run, with Horsham adding 23 points to 10 in the final term. Horsham won the game by 35 points as Kyneton fell away late.
Coach Cam Bruce said his side were taking too many outside shots in the second and third terms as Kyneton restricted the Hornets.
“We were settling for outside shots and weren’t really attacking the basket as much as we had hoped, which we did in the first quarter,” he said.
“We need to stick to what we know is working, instead of settling for the easy option, which is the long shot. It was a tough game after having a bit of a break, but I’m reasonably happy with the way we played and moved the ball.”
Bruce said it was pleasing to know the side will have a home final in their first season competing in the North West division.
“It’s a good reward for the players and it’s a good feeling to know we have a home final, and if we win the first final we have a home grand final,” he said.
The Lady Hornets were scheduled to play Kyneton before the Hornets, but the game was called off after Kyneton’s women’s team forfeited.