Ararat Redbacks recorded two losses after hosting double header on home court in round five at the weekend.
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Ararat Redbacks’ opening game ended in heartache against the Colac Kookas on Saturday.
Sunday delivered a bigger blow to the Redbacks, going down against Portland Coasters and losing top scorer Zac Dunmore and Jayden Wright to injury.
Wright took to the court for the first time this season as the Redbacks went into the weekend without Sam Cronin and Craig Hooper.
The Redbacks were on fire early against the Kookas, claiming an 11 point lead in the first half.
Dunmore was instrumental in his offence, top scoring for the game with 43 points – inspiring beyond the arc, shooting nine three-pointers.
Kookas took control of their height advantage under the basket and dominated in that area after halftime.
Kookas’ Jordan Lingard proved a tough matchup in height, scoring 31 points for the game.
The last quarter was well fought out but once the Kookas hit the lead, there was no turning back.
Redbacks got themselves into some foul trouble with Josh Fiegert and Jason Cameron taking no part in the game after reaching five fouls each.
Redbacks went down 96-100.
Assistant coach Rhys Burger said it was a disappointing loss for the team.
“The Kookas found the ball in down and low and took advantage of our height,” he said.
“One of our goals was to play more physical. We got caught out with their skill around the basket and it hurt us in the end.”
Burger said they shot the ball really well and it was something they hoped to take into Sunday against the Portland Coasters.
The Coasters matched up well against the Redbacks, but again third quarter performances let the team down.
Redbacks’s went into the half-time break with a ten point lead despite losing both Dunmore and Wright in the first half of the game due to injury.
The Coasters turned the intensity up a notch and took advantage of the Redbacks weaknesses and piled on the points, managing to get in front – 58-54 at three-quarter time.
The Redbacks couldn’t find alternate scoring options and ended up defeated by 14 points, 63-77.
“Another tough loss again and the second half of totally different basketball once again,” coach Marcus Jenkins said.
“I will be working with the team and looking for support through my mentors about working through committing to the intensity through the whole game.”
Jenkins said it was great to have the crowd’s support and was disappointing they couldn’t get the wins on the board for the fans.
“We will be looking hard over the next week and put plans in place to get the season back on track,” he said.