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Larkins confident about chances in Canberra |
Wednesday 25/06/08 |
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BENDIGO Telstra Braves coach Wayne Larkins has high hopes that by Sunday evening his side will have made the astonishing transformation from cannon fodder to contender.
A dismal start to the South East Australian Basketball League season has been matched only a remarkable mid-to-late season revival, which could be capped this weekend by back-to-back victories in Canberra.
The Braves will meet the youthful AIS squad on Saturday night before backing up against Canberra the following afternoon.
"We've come up trumps the past two weeks which probably puts us in a position to realistically play off for third or fourth (in the eastern conference)," Larkins said.
"Normally you'd go away to Canberra on a weekend like this and you'd be satisfied if you got one win of the two, but the way we're going there's no reason why we can't win both games.
"I think if we can win both games then all of a sudden we're playing for a first or second spot on the (eastern conference) ladder."
Larkins played down an on-court spat with Taylor Bell that occurred on Saturday night, saying the matter had been resolved.
Bell agreed, saying he and Larkins would treat the matter as a learning experience.
"It was just frustrating on the weekend, Taylor was actually playing quite well and then he just had a bad spell for a couple of minutes and there was some conflict between Taylor and I and some heated discussion," Larkins said.
"But at the end of the day that's nothing new. "Taylor and I have been through that before and we've come out the better for it. "I was just frustrated by his comments, but apart from those two minutes that he had, I think his game to that point had been outstanding."
Although Larkins' clash with Bell has been forgotten, the Braves' concentration lapse that was partially to blame for the incident certainly hasn't been.
"You can't have lapses, we were 29 or 30 points up with less than three minutes to play in the third period . . . and we went from 18 up in the space of two minutes, earlier in the season that's what cost us games," Larkins said.
"The point I was making is that we can't afford to be having lapses like that, it doesn't matter how tired you are.
"You have to recognise the situation and make some adjustments as to how to play the game, and I think two  or three of the boys on the floor didn't understand that."
Click here to view Bendigo Advertiser story. |
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Ladder leaders outplay the Blues |
Monday 23/06/08 |
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THE ladder-leading Bendigo IGA Lady Braves outplayed the Frankston Blues in Saturday night's basketball clash at the Schweppes Centre. Apart from a lapse in the second quarter, Bendigo dominated play on the way to a 93-59 victory.
Five Braves scored double figures and a tight-knit defence kept the Blues to under 60 points. Bendigo led 27-14 at quarter-time, but was remarkably off target in the second quarter.
Both line-ups added just 15 points in a lacklustre quarter. Bendigo's quick transition was a highlight of its scoring run in the second half.
The Lady Braves racked up 51 points and kept the Blues to just 30. Victorious coach Bernie Harrower said despite the second quarter fadeout, it was one of the Lady Braves' most complete team games for the season.
"We pride ourselves on being able to keep a team under 60 points and we did that again," Harrower said. "In the second half the girls moved the ball a lot quicker and made some great shots."
In the lead-up to the match, Harrower predicted the Braves' bench strength would be a key and it was. Bendigo had 38 points from its bench players and the Blues racked up seven. "It's important we have a lot of attacking options and threats. "I am confident that whoever we have on the court can score points and also play well in defence.''
The Lady Braves have the bye this weekend, but then face a tough run of three matches in four days. "We play at Kilsyth on a Wednesday night, then head across to Ballarat for a Friday night game, and then back home to play Albury-Wodonga on the  Saturday night," Harrower said.
Leading points - Bendigo: 21 Gabe Richards, 12 Jane Chalmers, 12 Jaclyn Smith, Jamine Finnigan 10, Lauren King 10. Frankston: 22 Marita Payne, 17 Julie Ofsoski, 6 Kylie Reid.
Rebounds - Bendigo: 10 Richards, 7 Finnigan, 6 Andrea Wilson, Smith, King. Frankston: 7 Ofsoski, Melanie Cotta.
Click here to view Bendigo Advertiser story. |
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Two home wins vital for Braves |
Thursday 12/06/08 |
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THE next two weeks will determine the play-off fate of the Bendigo Telstra Braves.
The Braves sit on the bottom of the South East Australian Basketball League east conference ladder with a 7-10 record, but still have a realistic chance of forcing their way into the top four with three wins separating second-placed North West Tasmania (10-8) and the seventh-placed Braves.
Bendigo has nine regular season games remaining and would need to win at least seven of those nine to have any chance of sneaking into the top four.
The Braves host east conference leader Knox (11-7) this Saturday night and fifth-placed Canberra (8-10) on June 21.
‘‘Win our next two games and I think we have a very good chance of playing finals,'' Braves coach Wayne Larkins said yesterday.
‘‘Before our loss to (south conference leader) Frankston last week we'd won four games in a row and I think we have a real chance of putting together another winning streak.
‘‘We lost to Knox earlier in the season by a couple of points after having the chance to win the game on the final play of the game.
‘‘They are the frontrunner in our section, but I think we have a good chance of winning the game.'' The Braves will welcome back forward Nic Campbell this week. Campbell hasn't played since April 4 because of his wedding.
While Campbell's return will bolster the Braves' frontcourt, there are injury concerns surrounding Cam Rigby and Taylor Bell.
Rigby is battling persistent back and hip complaints, while Bell injured his right knee at training last Thursday night.
‘‘I'm pretty sure Cam will be right to play because he seems to battle through those injuries each week,'' Larkins said.
‘‘Taylor we're not so sure about at this stage.'' Bell has had an up and down season, but he would be sorely missed against Knox should his knee not recover in time.
The athletic swingman is one option to defend high-scoring Raiders' import C.J. Massingale.
Massingale, who is averaging 27 points and nine rebounds per game this season, must be kept in check if the Braves are to have any chance of toppling the east conference flag favourites.
Click here to view Bendigo Advertiser story. |
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Lady Braves beat Spectres in classic
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Monday 02/06/08 |
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THE Bendigo IGA Lady Braves moved a step closer to securing a top-two finish after surviving a late scare from fellow title contender Nunawading on Saturday night.
In a battle of two of the likely South East Australian Basketball League's women's finalists at the Schweppes Centre , the Lady Braves looked headed for a relatively comfortable victory midway through the final quarter.
With six minutes remaining in the last quarter, the Lady Braves were in control as they led by 13 points, 61-48.
However, the Spectres, led by centre Caitlin Cunningham, made a late charge towards an unlikely win as Bendigo fell apart offensively over the final five minutes.
With 18 seconds remaining in the game, Nunawading had reduced the deficit to just one point after Jenna O'Hea banked a three-pointer off the backboard.
From the resultant throw-in, the Spectres then fouled Bendigo 's Louise McLean with 9.3 seconds remaining.
With Bendigo leading 64-63, McLean, who had a quiet game, made the first of her foul shots.
However, she missed the second of her shots, but Bendigo regained possession with a rebound to Anna Teague and the Lady Braves ran the clock down to post a 65-63 victory.
It was a crucial win for the Lady Braves, who had entered the last quarter leading 55-43.
The win leaves the Lady Braves in second position on the ladder with a 14-3 record, and just as important, they have now secured the head-to-head advantage over the Spectres, who hadn't been beaten on the road this season before Saturday night.
The Spectres (13-4) remain in third position on the ladder.
While pleased to win such an important game, Lady Braves coach Bernie Harrower was disappointed at his side's inability to close the game out in the last quarter.
‘‘Nunawading hit their shots down the stretch, whereas we weren't hitting ours,'' a frustrated Harrower said.
‘‘We had people reluctant to shoot the ball in that last quarter, and all we can really say is this was a hard-fought win that now gives us the impetus to finish in the top two.'' The Lady Braves led 15-11 after what had been a lacklustre first quarter by both sides, before Bendigo broke away from the Spectres in the second term.
The Lady Braves went on a 13-5 scoring run midway through the second term that gave them the upper hand.
Bendigo remained in control of the contest until the Spectres' late surge that should serve as a warning that no matter what the score, against quality opposition Bendigo must play the full 40 minutes out.
Teague, who helped to inspire the second-term burst, was the Lady Braves' leading scorer with just 13 points.
Lauren King, Jaclyn Smith and Jasmine Finnigan each scored 10 points, while Gabe Richards, who had been ill during the week, finished with nine.
Click here to view Bendigo Advertiser story. |
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Harms gives Braves a dose of the Blues |
Monday 02/06/08 |
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THE Bendigo Telstra Braves' winning streak is over and they are now back on the bottom of the South East Australian Basketball League eastern conference
ladder.
The Braves were outclassed 96-85 by the in-form Frankston at the Schweppes Centre on Saturday night.
The 11-point loss brought an end to the Braves' four-game winning streak, with the defeat sending the reigning south conference champions crashing
back to the bottom of the ladder with a 7-10 record.
It was Bendigo's first defeat since it lost by 15 points to Hobart on May 9.
Despite Bendigo's winning streak, Frankston went into the game as red-hot favourites.
The Blues entered the battle with the Braves with 10 wins in a row and sitting on top of the south conference ladder.
But the Braves served it right up to their more fancied opponents in the first half.
Bendigo scored the opening seven points of the game, with Frankston taking almost five minutes to register its first points of the match through Andrew
Harms, who would prove to be the difference between the two sides.
Bendigo went into the first change leading 19-16, and then made its move in the second term on the back of the brilliant long-range shooting of Dustin
Bremerman, who the week before had lit up the Schweppes Centre with 49 points against Nunawading.
After spending the first two minutes of the second quarter on the bench, the sweet-shooting Bremerman ignited the Braves when he returned to the court.
Bremerman scored 15 points for the quarter _ four three-pointers and three
free-throws _ to help Bendigo establish a 52-41 lead at half-time.But
Frankston proved in the third quarter why it's the most feared side in the
SEABL.
The catalyst for the Blues' revival was 22-year-old guard Harms, who had
scored 21 points in the first half.
Like Bremerman did for Bendigo in the second quarter, Harmes scored 15
points in the third term for the Blues and was virtually unstoppable from
three-point range.
Harms connected on five three-pointers in the third quarter _ all in the
last 5sfr1/2 minutes of the term _ to help the Blues establish a 73-66
advantage and all the momentum at three quarter-time.
Harms alone scored more points in the third quarter than the Braves did.
Bendigo drew level with the Blues at 75-75 with 9:46 left in the last
quarter, but when Harms sunk a free-throw, Frankston wouldn't be headed for
the rest of the match.
Bendigo refused to lie down and was within four points with three minutes to
go after a three-pointer from Cameron Rigby, but the Blues then scored nine
of the last 11 points of the match.
''Frankston really did shut us down from scoring in the third quarter, which
set up a great last quarter where they were able to hold onto the lead,''
Braves coach Wayne Larkins said.
''I wasn't disappointed with the effort, we tried our hardest, but were beaten by a better side.'' Harms finished with 45 points for the Blues, which included 10 three-pointers from 16 shots.
Rigby led the Braves with 29 points, including 12 in the last quarter, while
he also did an outstanding job in guarding Blues' big man David Gruber, who
finished with 11 points.
Bremerman, who was defended aggressively by the Blues, didn't score after half-time to finish with 18 points, while Chris Novak battled hard in the paint, scoring 19.
Click here to view Bendigo Advertiser story. |
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Braves duo lauded |
Tuesday 27/05/08 |
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BENDIGO basketballers have claimed the player of the week award in both the men's and women's divisions of the South East Australian Basketball League.
IGA Lady Brave Louise McLean and Telstra Brave Dustin Bremerman capped outstanding weekend performances with official SEABL recognition yesterday.
It is the first time a player in either Bendigo side had been awarded the honour this season.
McLean shot a season high 25 points, had six rebounds and dished out five assists in the Lady Braves' dominant 108-80 victory against North West Tasmania last Saturday evening.
Bremerman shot a league season high 49 points, claimed six boards and gave two assists as the Braves recorded a convincing 116-94 win over Nunawading.
McLean 's debut SEABL season follows a berth in the inaugural Bendigo Spirit team in the Women's National Basketball League earlier this year.
The former Warrnambool Mermaid, who had played in the first division of the Big V league prior to moving north, said stepping up to WNBL basketball first had made the transition to SEABL competition easier.
‘‘It's definitely been a big adjustment from where I was 12 months ago, but I think I'm finally starting to feel more comfortable and play the way I know that I can,'' McLean said.
‘‘(Spirit and Lady Braves coach Bernie Harrower) has been on my back for probably six months now about scoring because I'm not much of a threat, so I guess now I'm just starting to actually do it.'' McLean said her form from outside the arch against the Lady Thunder, where she managed seven from nine shooting, was part of a broader focus by the side to reduce the strain on dominant inside player Gabe Richards.
Bremerman was equally prominent from the perimeter, shooting 11 three-pointers from 16 attempts on his way to the seventh highest individual score in SEABL history.
The US-import shot at 67 per cent and managed to score nine consecutive points at the start of the third quarter.
Click here to view Bendigo Advertiser story. |
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Dustin ignites Braves |
Monday 26/05/08 |
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BENDIGO Telstra Braves import Dustin Bremerman finished agonisingly short of reaching the magical 50-point mark against Nunawading at the Schweppes Centre on Saturday night.
Bremerman scored 49 points in the Braves' 116-94 victory over the Spectres.
It was the most points scored by a Bendigo player since Denver Tenbroek poured in 52 against Frankston on May 14, 2006.
Bremerman scored nine points in the first quarter, nine in the second, 14 in the third and 17 in the last.
It was thought when Bremerman connected on his 11th three-pointer of the game with 15 seconds remaining in the last quarter that he had brought up his 51st point, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
However, 15 minutes after the game finished, it was revealed Bremerman had finished with 49.
Along with his 11 three-pointers from 16 shots, Bremerman also made six-of-seven free-throws and five-of-eight two-point shots in 40 minutes on court.
‘‘A couple of shots went in for me tonight, but I'm just glad we won the game,'' said Bremerman, whose previous best was 43 points in a college game for Seattle Pacific.
‘‘I started off well in the first quarter, which was good for me. ‘‘When I hit my first couple of shots it gives me confidence, and I think that helped me down the stretch.''
Bremerman is averaging 18.6 points per game in his first season for the Braves.
Click here to view Bendigo Advertiser story. |
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Blitz beyond the arc |
Monday 26/05/08 |
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A FOUR-MINUTE scoring burst in the second term was the catalyst for the Bendigo IGA Lady Braves' victory over North-West Tasmania clash on Saturday night.
The Lady Braves extended their winning streak to seven with a 108-80 victory over the Lady Thunder in a high-scoring South East Australian Basketball League contest at the Schweppes Centre .
It was the Lady Braves' highest score for the season, surpassing the 96 they scored against Albury-Wodonga on March 29.
The Lady Braves were on fire from three-point range, with 57 of Bendigo 's 108 points from beyond the arc.
Bendigo hit 19-of-37 three-point shots, with Louise McLean leading the way, connecting on seven-of-nine attempts as she finished with 25 points.
‘‘Hitting 19 three-point shots would be close to a record for us, so we're really pleased with that,'' Lady Braves coach Bernie Harrower said.
‘‘The way North-West Tasmania plays their defence, they just clog the middle up and make it hard to score, so if you can knock down your threes against them… we basically had the three-point shot all night and fortunately, we were knocking them down.
‘‘That's what we're capable of if everyone is confident.'' The Lady Braves led 27-26 at quarter-time, then blew the game open inside the first four minutes of the second term.
Bendigo opened the second quarter with a 23-0 run which proved to be the decisive period of the game.
The Lady Thunder took 4:20 to score its first points of the second quarter - a three to Erin Butler.
The Lady Braves' advantage would remain at least 20 points for the rest of the match. Instrumental in the 23-0 run was new Lady Braves recruit Lauren King.
King hit four three-pointers during the Lady Braves' dominant streak, but they would be the only points she would score for the game.
‘‘When Lauren King came off the bench and started knocking those three-point shots down, it's really what opened the game up for us,'' said Harrower, who was disappointed his side conceded 80 points.
‘‘That then gave the girls a lot of confidence to take the shots.''
All 12 players who suited up for the Braves took to the court, with 11 scoring.
McLean led the scoring with her 25 points.
Gabrielle Richards (17), Anna Teague (15, plus eight rebounds), who played her best game for the club, King (12), Jaclyn Smith (12) and Andrea Walsh (10) also scored in double figures.
Click here to view Bendigo Advertiser story. |
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Men on winning run, women split tough double |
Monday 19/05/08 |
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THE Bendigo Telstra Braves are back within reach of the SEABL east conference top four after stretching their winning streak to three on
Saturday night.
The Braves impressive 98-87 win over Mt Gambier on Saturday night improved
the Braves win-loss record to 6-9.
The defending champions are still on the bottom of the ladder, but they'
re now within two wins of fourth place and three wins of conference leader
Knox.
"It was a tremendous result for us,"' Braves coach Wayne Larkins said
yesterday.
"Mt Gambier is not an easy place to get a win at and the way we played was
the best sign.
"We've won three games in a row now and we're starting to play our best
basketball. "We've worked ourselves into a position where we can challenge for the
finals."
The next four weeks will determine the Braves fortunes, with four home games
in a row against Nunawading, Frankston, Knox and Canberra. The win over Mt Gambier was set up by a dominant first quarter.
The Braves outscored the Pioneers 33-19 and increased their lead to 16 at
the main break. Bendigo led by as many as 26 in the third quarter before the Pioneers lifted
their intensity.
The home side closed within six points with 90 seconds remaining in the
match, but the Braves steadied through Chris Hogan, Cam Rigby and Taylor
Bell.
Dustin Bremerman led the Braves with 22 points, Rigby added 19 and Bell and
Chris Novak scored 14 points each. Bell's performance was particularly pleasing for the Braves.
"Taylor showed against the AIS on Friday night and against Mt Gambier that
he's getting back to somewhere near his best," Larkins said.
"Taylor's a very important part of our team. He was fantastic for us last
year and if he can continue to play well we'll be a much tougher team to
beat."
The Bendigo IGA Lady Braves missed a golden opportunity to put pressure on
top team Launceston at the weekend.
The Lady Braves lost 77-75 to Kilsyth on Saturday night and defeated Knox
91-70 yesterday to remain in second place with a 12-3 record.
However, with Launceston losing to third-placed Nunawading yesterday, the
Lady Braves would have been equal with Launceston had they not dropped the
game to the Cobras.
"The loss to Kilsyth was disappointing because we led for the majority of
the match," Lady Braves coach Bernie Harrower said. "We just didn't get the job done in the last minute."
The Lady Braves led by six with a little over a minute to go, but the Cobras
rallied to clinch the points with a two-point basket on the buzzer. The Lady Braves weren't helped by a 24-14 foul count and key players Jane
Chalmers and Lousie McLean both fouled out in the dying minutes.
Gabe Richards led the Lady Braves with 18 points, while Andrea Walsh added
13 and Anna Teague 12.Walsh was the catalyst for the Lady Braves win over
Knox at the Schweppes Centre yesterday scoring 22 points on
10-of-14 shooting.
Richards scored 17 points, recruit Lauren King had 14 points and Jasmine
Finnigan 10.
"We've played eight games in 22 days and to have a 6-2 record out of those
eight games is not all gloom and doom," Harrower said.
The Lady Braves are at home to North West Tasmania at the Schweppes Centre
next Saturday night.
Click here to view Bendigo Advertiser story. |
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Braves outgun North West Tasmania Thunder |
Tuesday 07/04/08 |
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THE Bendigo Telstra Braves last night outgunned the North West Tasmania Thunder to claim a much-needed victory in the South East Australia Basketball League season.
Bendigo teamed superbly against the highly-fancied Thunder, who had a 5-1 record before the clash on the Braves' court at the Schweppes Centre.
The Braves fought back from consecutive losses to win 103-99.
Cam Rigby was almost entirely responsible for the Braves' first quarter dominance.
The imposing forward notched 18 of the team's 34 points as the Braves went into the break with an 11 point lead.
Rigby had a quiter second quarter and the Braves subsequently struggled for scoring options, as the Thunder cut the quarter time lead to five points only 90 seconds after the break.
When Rigby missed his first shot of the match with slightly less than 4sfr1/2 minutes remaining in the half, the Thunder had reduced the lead to four points.
The Braves withstood pressure late in the half to hold a 52-46 buffer at the break.
Rejuvinated and evidently refocused, the Braves stunned the Thunder immediately after the break as Nic Campbell and then Chris Novak sunk quick baskets to stretch the lead to 10 points within 30 seconds.
Little more than a minute later, import Dustin Bremerman fired a three-pointer and the lead was 13 points.
A shell-shocked Thunder was called to a time-out by coach Mark Radford, and guard Nick Haywood scored shortly after the resumption to cut the lead to nine.
But Campbell scored from outside the arc and Rigby scored another two to give the Braves a 64-48 lead.
To its credit, the Thunder fought back and went into the final break down 73-65.
Baskets were exchanged throughout the final quarter, but the Braves, led again by the calm hand of Rigby and ably supported by captain Warren Randall, managed to keep the lead to at least four points throughout.
Rigby finished with 34, while Brad Nuckles scored 29 for Thunder. |
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Braves' young guns earn selection for national titles |
Tuesday 02/04/08 |
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FOUR of the young guns from the Pura Bendigo Junior Braves basketball squads have earned selection in Victoria Country teams for this year's national under-16 championships.
Bendigo teenagers Ellie Fitch and Kelsey Sartori will join forces with a line-up that includes Maryborough's Yana Dellavedova. The boys' team for the titles includes Bendigo 's Cody West.
Bendigo Braves' legend and champion-winning coach, David Flint is an assistant coach of the Victoria Country under-16 boys' team.
Bendigo also has Lilly Walsh, Madalyne Wharton and Jake Stringer on standby as emergencies.
The titles will be played at the Kalamunda Stadium in Perth from July 13 to 20. Victoria Country's teams for the national under-16 basketball championships.
Girls: Yana Dellavedova (Maryborough); Ellie Fitch, Kelsey Sartori (Bendigo); Tanarly Hood, Hannah Kaser (Morwell); Perri Jones (Geelong); Tessa Lavey (Hamilton); Carly Mullen-Bianconi (Moe); Sheridan Townrow (Echuca); Madeleine White (Warrnambool).
Emergencies: Sophie Alexander (Horsham), Bronte Clark (Mildura), Lilly Walsh, Madalyne Wharton ( Bendigo ).
Head coach: Jacqui Henry (Wodonga). Assistant coaches: Sharon Denham (Swan Hill), Nat Weston (Foster). Manager: Wendy Campbell (Traralgon).
Boys: Ashley Constable, Jarrod Fryar (Ballarat); Cody Donovan, Andr'e Garcey, Lewis Varley (Geelong); Thomas Downie (Benalla); Joshua Grover (Echuca); Jake Lloyd (Horsham); Samuel Poole (Shepparton); Cody West (Bendigo).
Emergencies: Craig Dent (Morwell), James McMaster, Daniel Wehrung (Ballarat), Jake Stringer ( Bendigo ).
Head coach: Jamie O'Loughlin ( Geelong ). Assistant coaches: David Flint ( Bendigo ), Steve Nioa (Shepparton). Manager: David McDonald (Traralgon)
Click here to view Bendigo Advertiser story.
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Braves outpointed by the Nunawading Spectres |
Tuesday 02/04/08 |
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THE Nunawading Spectres outpointed the Bendigo Telstra Braves to score a 99-86 victory in yesterday's South East Australia Basketball League clash.
The loss was the Braves' fifth of the season.
On the rebound from defeat, Bendigo began well to lead by eight points at the six-minute mark of the contest. By quarter-time, Nunawading led by two.
‘‘We were outplayed in the second quarter,'' Braves coach Wayne Larkins said.
The Spectres nailed a lot of shots, but more importantly dominated the rebounding duels. ‘‘Rebounding was an area we focused on at training and in pre-match,'' Larkins said.
‘‘We were well beaten on the boards at both ends of the court again.'' The rebounds tally was 61-39 in favour of the Spectres.
Although the Braves challenged several times in the second half, Nunawading withstood the pressure.
Leading scorers for the Spectres were Mark Whitehead, 21, Shane McDonald, 18, and David Biwer, 14.
A highlight for Bendigo was the play of US import Dustin Bremmerman as he scored 25 points and won eight rebounds.
The Braves also had Cam Rigby, 20; Nic Campbell, 13; captain Warren Randall, 13; and Chris Novak, 10, lead the attack.
The Braves will be back on the Schweppes Centre court for this Friday night's home game against North-West Tasmania .
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