The team kicked off their season with a win against Portland in round one, and kept the momentum going with victory against the Bacchus Marsh Lions on Saturday night.

After a relatively even first two quarters where the lead changed hands a couple of times, the Hornets hit their stride and ran away with the match.

The Lions were first to hit the scoreboard in the game and got out to an early lead before the Hornets reeled them in, drawing level when Tim Pickert sunk a shot from long range.

Bacchus Marsh took the lead again before another three-pointer from Pickert started a run of five consecutive goals for the Hornets, which saw them head into the first break up by seven.

Horsham kept the Lions at bay for most of the second quarter before the away side pinched the lead back nearing half-time. But again the Hornets finished the quarter strong, scoring eight unanswered points to maintain their seven-point lead at the main break.

But it was the third quarter where the home team really found their form, scoring 34 points to their opponent’s 12 to get the match firmly on their terms. The Hornets went into the final break up by 29 points, and continued to push out the lead in the fourth quarter.

Hornets coach Cam Bruce – back on court after missing the first game of the season against Portland – said his team’s defensive intensity proved the difference in the second half.

“We didn’t warm up very well and came out a bit flat in first half,” he said.

“We finish off quarters well, but were allowing them to come back into game.

“In the third quarter we got our game going a bit more. When we put that defensive pressure on, we ended up getting some easy scores.

“We've got to come with that intensity in the warm-up and take that into the game.”

Young Hornet Jeremiah McKenzie scored a game-high 25 points, including five three-pointers.

“He was good. He really picks his spots well and knows when it's right to take the shot or pass off,” Bruce said.

“Tim Pickert was also good and led really well. 

“He did some of the hard work. Thirteen of his 23 points were from free throws, so he was getting in the paint and getting physical.

“We had five guys on the court to finish the game with an average age of 17. It was really good to see the likes of Sam Breuer, Austin McKenzie and Harley Pope get extended minutes.”

Bruce said there was plenty of room for improvement in his team, and he expects the side will build throughout the season.

“We're a pretty new team and still have some players coming in who have been injured,” he said.

“It's about working on our structures and game plan and getting to play with each other.

“Due to a late start to pre-season with footy, we haven't had that many trainings together.

“We’re looking forward to keeping getting better as the season goes on.”

Both the Hornets’ men’s and women’s teams faced double-headers at the weekend, with their second games coming on Sunday afternoon.

The men’s side will be without Jeremiah and Austin McKenzie for the match against the Ararat Redbacks in Ararat.

“They're trying out for a Ballarat team, but it just allows other people to stand up,” Bruce said.