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Against the Perth Redbacks, possibly the only organisation within the league with a tradition nearing that of the Eagles, the WSBL team suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss in a game we were in a position to win on several occasions. However, in this rebuilding year, the girls can take heart at the improvement shown to date
The men suffered an early setback, as returning big man Jarrad Eyles suffered an injury to his right elbow in the pre - game warm ups. The extent of Jarrad's injury is unknown at this stage
After a promising start, the Eagles were eventually worn down by the Redbacks run and stun game. However there was never any hint of a capitulation, as the boys battled hard for the entire game
What a team we have in these Lady Eagles. Who would believe two overtime games out of the first two games for the season ?
This time however, the Eagles triumphed over the highly - ranked Flames
In the men's game, the Eagles, stung by their loss the previous night, put up a huge fight before eventually succombing to a Flames team that included former league MVP Anthony Exeter and highly ranked import Adam Spanich
However a combination of inexperience, poor free - throw shooting and foul trouble turned a 5 point lead midway through the 3rd quarter into a disappointing loss
The Lady Eagles had a good win against a Lakeside team that is struggling this season after losing 2002 Head Coach Craig Mansfield, 2002 league MVP Jenny Crouse and much of the 2002 squad to a new look Swan City Mustangs team. In a game that never rose to great heights, the Eagles did not need overtime to run out comprehensive winners
In the men's game, the Eagles got off to a slow start, and despite a strong second quarter, were unable to make further inroads against the big score racked up by a Lakeside team that ensured all players featured on the scoreboard
WSBLMIXED FORTUNES FOR EAGLES
The Eagles WSBL team suffered a setback with their loss to Mandurah Magic at Mandurah on 10th May. After a relatively even 1st quarter, highlighted by Hayley Hall's 8 points, the Eagles went through a scoring drought to go into the half - time break 10 points in arrears
Tegan Walker scored all of her team's 8 second quarter points against a balanced Magic unit who had 5 separate scorers in the same term
The Magic celebrated Jaye Gillam's 50th game by outscoring the visiting Eagles 49 - 31 in the second half, and in doing so inflicted the Eagles biggest loss of the season
Once again Tegan Walker led the Eagles scorers with 15 points, while Hayley Hall and Jane Ellen Tauschke contributed 10 points each
In a game where the home team Magic took nearly 20 more shots than the visitors, their superior field goal percentage and 30 assists ensured a comfortable winning margin
MEN
On Saturday 10th May the Eagles made the trip to Mandurah to do battle with fellow winless team, the Mandurah Magic
While the Eagles had an even spread of scorers, highly - publicised Magic recruit Emmanuell D'Cress was the shining light for the home team with 19 first half points, the equivalent of their entire first quarter score. With the teams winning one of the first two quarters each by a solitary point, the half time break saw the game tied 50 - 50, with expectations of a tough second half to follow.
However D'Cress had other ideas, scoring 12 points and initiating several other scores as the home team outscored the Eagles by 15 points in the third quarter. The last quarter was a dour struggle, in which the Magic outscored their visitors by 2 points to run out eventual 17 point winners
In an improved effort by the young Eagles team, they posted similar figures in free throw attempts and steals, committed less turnovers and made more assists than their opponents, however despite the return of big man Paul Erceg, the Eagles need support on the back boards and look forward to the return from injury of Jarrad Eyles
Goldfields Giants - Sunday 11th May
After conceding a 13 - point quarter time lead, thanks mainly to five 3 - pointers by Goldfields joint Vice Captain Ryan Hulme, the Eagles fulfilled the promise of the last game to outscore the visitors 34 - 25 in the second quarter, with Captain Aaron Wigg scoring 14 of his team - high 25 points during that period, to go into the 1/2 time break only four points in arrears
However despite Leigh Walker bringing up his 1000th SBL point during the game, the home team was outscored by 11 points in the second half
With 9 of the players registering on the scoreboard, an increased field goal percentage and a vast improvement in their free throw shooting, the Eagles showed that they are not too far away from their next win
Aaron Wigg showed glimpses of his best form with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 blocked shot, while lone big man Paul Erceg also contributed 11 boards. Matt Gent ( 21 points ), Quentin Muller and Robbie Cross ( 14 each ) were next best scorers for the Eagles while Mark Shipley continued his return to form with 11 points
For the visiting Giants, Thomas Witts, Ryan Benson, Ryan Hulme, Brian Tudman and Wayne creek all scored in double figures while Benson and Creek shared game high tallies of 13 rebounds
WSBL
The Eagles faced the top team, undefeated Perry Lakes on Friday 16th May, with expectations of a good game
Despite a game - high 20 points by Tegan Walker and a 10 rebound, 9 point effort from Natasha Glass, the Eagles struggled offensively ( 19 / 42 field goal % ) and on the backboards ( 36 / 53 total rebound cound )
The tone of the match was set in the first quarter, when the Hawks, led by Kate Simkovic who scored 8 points, the same as the Eagles entire score for the quarter, raced to a 22 - 8 quarter time lead. Matters didn't improve much for the visitors, as their tally for the first three quarters only matched the Hawks 1st quarter score
Some respectability was restored to the scoreboard in a 15 - 17 final quarter, however it was a case of too little, too late
The team can take heart from the final quarter scoreline, as Perry Lakes never went soft, leaving key players Brooke Goddard, Kim Morecom, Chelsie Boyanich and Katie Reed to do the bulk of the scoring in the final period
The teams matched each other for turnovers, and the Eagles went to the free throw line more often that their hosts and they racked up a similar foul count, but the 7 / 25 assist count and the 5 / 11 steals indicated just how good the Hawks are, rather than exposing any glaring inadequacies in the ever - improving Eagles game
MEN
In a game that smacked of deja vu, and showed some similarities to the preceding WSBL game, the Eagles men gave Perry Lakes a 43 point head start before deciding after 1/2 time that they were there to play a game of basketball
Against an all - round first half by the Hawks, in which Wildcats hopeful Simon Blennerhassett single - handedly outscored the entire Eagles team, only Matt Gent was able to give the scorers any work to do, compiling 10 of the Eagles points for the half
However it was a case of Jeckyl and Hyde after 1/2 time for the visiting Eagles as Mark Shipley ( 15 2nd half points ), Captain Aaron Wigg ( 14 ), Matt Gent ( another 13 ), John Durey ( 8 ) and Paul Erceg ( 7 ) led a spirited revival that saw the visitors outscore the home team Hawks 62 - 53 in an entertaining 2nd half
In the final wash - up, the men, as with the ladies, proved that they can match it with the best organisation in the league
Matt Gent's 23 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists stood out for the Eagles, as did Paul Erceg's game high 10 rebounds, while first half assassin, Simon Blennerhassett, was held to 7 second half points by some smarter defence from the Eagles
WSBL
After an even 1st quarter in which the Eagles' Tegan Walker and the Senators Eleanor Haring and Jasmine Finnigan scored 9, 8 and 7 points respectively, Finnigan's 8 second quarter points allowed the visitors to go into half - time with a handy 10 point lead
However in the "money" quarter, the Eagles really turned it on when Natasha Glass and Melissa Harris hit their straps, scoring 8 points each. Finnigan was well held during this period, but Haring again stepped up for the Senators with another 8 points. However with Walker nailing 7 points of her own, the Eagles turned it into a game
With only one point separating the teams at 3/4 time, Walker took matters into her own hands, scoring 13 points to match the visiting Senators entire 3rd quarter score in helping the home team Eagles to a comfortable 12 point victory
For the Eagles, Tegan Walker was 3 assists shy of a rare triple - double, when she registered 34 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Glass and Harris each recorded 16 points, while Glass shared a game - high 12 rebounds with Stirling's Jasmine Finnigan
MEN
The Senators lept to a 12 point first quarter lead behind Russell Haxby's 10 points in the men's game. Robbie Cross's 7 points gave the Eagles' score some respectability, but the Eagles struggled to contain the Visitors' transition game
However with Matt Gent and Mark Shipley stepping up, the Eagles gained some momentum with a 22 point second quarter
Captain Aaron Wigg joined in with 11 3rd quarter points, but he had little support from his team mates as the visitors out - scored them by 4 points to take a handy lead into the final quarter
With 8 players from each team registering on the scoreboard, the Eagles won a free - flowing last quarter, however the damage had been done in the first quarter when the Senators established their match - winning lead
In a game where Senators' Coach Glenn Ellis kept his "studs" fresh by continually rotating his players off the bench, Aaron Wigg led all scorers with 27 points, followed by Cross and Gent with 15 points each. Mark Shipley was next best with 11. Although both teams shot at a reasonable percentage from the field ( 42 - 45 ), it was the Senators' 16 additional shots and rebounding dominance that handed them the win in what was a close fought game after quarter time
WSBL
The Eagles faced the resurgent Mustangs in the WSBL battle of Season 2003's big improvers this weekend. With only three of the 2002 Mustangs team named for the game, as the home team looked for their first win against the Eagles since 1999
With Season 2002 MVP Jenny Crouse's 12 points dominating the first quarter, the Mustangs took a slender 3 point lead into the first break. The Eagles had a better spread of scorers, but Crouse was the difference
With Rebecca Mercer stepping up for the home team in the 2nd quarter, Tegan Walker and Keryn McGregor battled hard for the visiting Eagles. A 23 - 23 2nd quarter saw the Mustangs retain their 3 point lead at half time
With Mercer scoring 15 of her game high 28 points in the 2nd half, Natasha Glass stood tall for the Eagles with 14 points of her own, however the Mustangs won the 2nd half by 13 points to claim a 16 point victory
Mercer's 28 points @ 52% from the field and Crouse's 24 ( at an amazing 71% ) coupled with 19 rebounds were crucial to the outcome of the game, as none of the other 7 Mustangs scorers shot double figures
Stalwarts Natasha Glass, Tegan Walker and Melissa Harris posted the best numbers for the Eagles, with Walker and Harris both recording "double - doubles".
MEN
In a game where every player from both teams managed to score, the Mustangs superior shooting percentage enabled them to overcome a wayward Eagles outfit
With Robbie Cross holding the sharp - shooting Paul Pochintesta to 4 first half points, it was the inside game of import Bryce Birch and the outside game of Mustangs WSBL Coach Craig Mansfield that helped the home team to a 12 point half time lead
Eagles Captain Aaron Wigg played a virtual lone hand with 20 first half points
However Pochintesta came alive with 32 2nd half points that sealed the game for the rebuilt Mustangs
In a game where the Eagles matched their opponents on the backboards, a lopsided 15 - 36 free throw count, 27 - 19 turnovers and 28 - 20 foul count compounded their 39% field goal shooting woes
WSBL
Perth Lynx Season 2002 Most Improved Player Tegan Walker was one assist shy of a rare triple double against the Wolves
With 13 points ( courtesy of some close defensive attention from the Wolves ), 11 rebounds and 9 assists, Walker had strong support from Jane Ellen Tauchke ( 15 points ); Hayley Hall ( 12 pts, 9 boards ); Melissa Harris ( 11 pts, 7 boards ) and Anita Vann ( 10 points )
Despite the Eagles' strong effort, the size and experience of the Wolves' Maryanne Di Francesco was difficult to counter
In the final wrap - up, the Eagles 19 - 21 first quarter and 18 - 11 third quarter helped keep the game within reach, but the intensity of the Wolves gradually overcame the visitors, who, despite a better free throw % and comparable stats in most categories, were unable to score above 34% from the field. With both teams taking 76 shots, the 34 - 45 field goal shooting percentage was the game's most vital statistic
MEN
The Wolves' dominated the first half of the men's game, courtesy of the strong play of Damian Matacz ( 25 first half points ), and it wasn't until mid - way through the third quarter that some inspirational rebounding efforts from big man Paul Erceg awakened the sleeping Eagles
Erceg had a career game with a game - high 25 rebounds coupled with 18 points, 4 steals and 4 assists. Erceg was the catalyst in a mini Eagles revival that saw them outscore their hosts for the remainder of the game, culminating in a 28 - 19 final quarter
Although the Eagles coaching staff can take some heart from the team's refusal to capitulate against a Wolves team that kept their starters on the floor in the second half rather than run their bench for extended periods, the problem of slow starts and allowing the opposition large early leads is of some concern
In a game where both teams took a comparable number of shots and shot at a comparable rate from the field, it was the dominance of Matacz ( 40 points @ 73% from the field, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 blocked shots, 7 of 9 free throws and 4 steals ) that set up and sealed the win for the home team
Key statistics of interest for the game were the amazing 35 three point attempts by the Wolves, the Wolves' 39 - 21 assist advantage and the fact that they were called for only 5 fouls over the entire game
For the Eagles, Erceg's 14 offensive rebounds were the 6th highest recorded in any game. Erceg was backed up by the enigmatic Mark Shipley ( 17 points ); State Under 18's player Robbie Cross ( 13 points ); Leigh Walker ( 12 points, 7 assists ) and Captain Aaron Wigg ( 11 points )
WSBL
After a fairly even first half in which seven of the Eagles' players scored, the visiting Tigers went into the long break with a slender 6 - point margin
Tegan Walker's 9 points compared favourably with Willetton's returning star Rohanee Cox's 10, while Anita Vann had seven for the half
However the Tigers' Kate Cronan exploded for 11 points, as the visitors doubled their hosts' 3rd quarter score to take a commanding 19 point lead at the end of the term
Whilst Walker scored 7 of her game - high 20 points in the third quarter, it was not enough to stem the flow of baskets from the opposition
A 12 - 21 final quarter scoreline flattered the visitors, as the Eagles fought the game out, but couldn't find the bottom of the net
The Tigers were out - rebounded by the determined Eagles, with Anita Vann, possibly the smallest player on the court, shining with 10 boards - second only to team mate Krystle LeCerf and Tigers' Rohanee Cox who had 13 rebounds each
In a game where both teams shot at 50% or less ( 50 - 44 ) from the free throw line, the Eagles went to the free throw line more times ( 22 - 14 ); committed less fouls (14 - 20 ); and made more steals ( 9 - 8 ) than their opponents
MEN
On the night that local junior player Daniel Eaton played his first SBL match, a 40 - point first quarter by the visiting Tigers sealed the fate of the valiant Eagles
Despite solid four - quarter efforts by Aaron Wigg ( 25 points ); Paul Erceg ( 17 points before having to leave the game to catch a flight ); and Mark Shipley ( 15 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocked shots and only 1 turnover in his 50th game ), it was the visitors' greater depth that contributed to their comfortable win
With 8 of their 10 players scoring 10 points or more compared to the Eagles four ( Paul Widdis scored 15 points in a promising first game for the club ), the Tigers huge rebounding advantage and superior field goal percentage told the story of the game
WSBL
Hawks' Kim Morcom and the Eagles' Tegan Walker matched each other with 13 and 16 first half points respectively, as the return match between these two teams was almost even at half time. The Hawks took a one point lead into the long break after an improved showing over their last clash by the home team
While Walker and Morcom continued on their merry way in the second half, the Hawks' star received more support from her team mates as Carli Boyanich ( 17 points for the game ); Tanya Kelly ( 14 ) and Brooke Goddard ( 12 ) all broke double figures
In a game where the home team Eagles shot a creditable 49% from the field against their opponents 40%, Walker's game high 30 points at a 61% field goal mark was superior to Morcom's 28 points at 38%. Remarkably the two players matched each other in free throw attempts ( Walker 12 v Morcom 14 ); 3 point shooting % ( 33 - 33 ) and turnovers ( 10 - 9 ). While the 7 - 12 rebound count favoured her former team mate, Walker continues her stellar season
When the final siren signalled the end of an epic battle between two great players, it was the visiting Hawks' higher assist count, lower turnover rate and greater number of shots taken ( 73 - 55 ) that negated the Eagles better field goal shooting percentage. With a similar rebound count, the Hawks superiority on their offensive glass contributed to the additional shots taken and the extra trips to the free throw line
MEN
The Eagles started off the toughest double header in the league without improving big man Paul Erceg, and an injury cloud over ex - ABA guard Paul Widdis
In a game where Matt Splatt made his SBL debut, the Eagles conceded an 11 - point start to the league - leading Hawks before Robbie Cross and Matt Gent warmed up in the 2nd quarter to score 15 of the team's 22 points during that period. However Hawks Captain Trent Mayger ensured that the Eagles revival met with some resistance, scoring 13 of his game - high 31 points to help the visitors to a 5 point advantage for the quarter
Eagles top scorer Mark Shipley ( 16 points ) and Captain Aaron Wigg (8 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocked shots ) were the only Eagles players to have much of an impact for all four quarters, however the team fought the game out to win the final quarter in an improved effort from the last meeting of the two teams
Interestingly, the smaller Eagles blocked more shots ( 13 - 2 ) than their opponents, captured more steals and had a similar turnover count ( 15 - 13 ) to their much - vaunted visitors, but again the predicted lop - sided rebound count coupled with a poor field goal percentage reduced the chances of an upset victory against the 2001 and 2002 League Champions. However Coach Wigg was pleased with the increased defensive effort from his young charges, while lamenting a 36 - 53 field shooting % that needs some attention
MEN vs Geraldton @ Geraldton
With big men Paul Erceg ( interstate ) and Jarrad Eyles ( business commitments ) unable to make the trip to Geraldton, the withdrawal of Guard Paul Widdis for both injury and business reasons, saw an undersized and inexperienced Eagles team make the trip north to the Sun City
In a rebuilding year for the Eagles, Coach Wigg continued his policy of giving the young players an opportunity to taste SBL action, selecting 1st year players Kai McGuinness, Daniel Eaton, Matt Splatt and Nathan Trengove for the trip.
With Splatt and Captain Aaron Wigg the team's tallest players, the efforts of Matt Gent ( 7 rebounds ), Robbie Cross and Daniel Eaton ( 6 and 5 boards respectively ) stood out in a never say die effort by an Eagles team that had 9 of the 10 players all recording at least one rebound
After a fast start, the tired but feisty Eagles eventually succombed to the superior size and firepower of their hosts, led by local legend and ex - Wildcat Greg Brown's 27 points. In an entertaining game, the effort of SBL legend and Eagles 1988 championship player Dan Hunt, now with the Buccs, in falling one assist shy of a triple double went almost unnoticed. Hunt's 16 points, game - high 19 rebounds and game - high 9 assists, coupled with 4 steals, 2 blocked shots and only 2 turnovers in 40 minutes of basketball was eclipsed only by his open court dunk
In an entaining 4th quarter in which 16 of the 20 players managed at least one bucket, the undermanned Eagles, led by Leigh Walker ( 8 points for the period ) and Matt Gent ( 6 points ), fought the game out to lose the quarter by the narrowest possible margin. Rightfully, Brown and Hunt shared the top scoring for the Buccs in this quarter, in an indication that the home team did not let up on the visiting Eagles
WSBL
The Eagles atoned for their heart - breaking season - opening overtime loss against the Redbacks with a stirring 14 point win in their return clash at Morley
With Tegan Walker's 9 points and Jane Ellen Tauschke's 6 points leading the way in a 20 - 13 first quarter, the home team showed that they meant business fom the outset of the game. With Hayley Hall capturing a game - high 9 rebounds to go with her 8 points and Natasha Glass all - round effort of 6 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists, the Eagles held a slender advantage in most statistical categories
However, just as catches win matches in cricket, so do free throws in basketball, and the Eagles scored 30 points at 68% from a massive 44 attempts, effectively winning the game from the free throw line
Walker scored 10 of her game high 29 points from the line as the home team's 19 point advantage from the charity stripe and 45% 3 - point shooting overcame their slightly inferior 36 - 41 field goal %
Lauren Clarke scored 15 points for the Redbacks and Kylie Amiet 13 in a losing cause
MEN
Former Wildcats Jamie Baker ( 22 points and 13 assists ) and Matt Earp ( 17 points and 11 rebounds ) combined with sharp - shooters Ryan Neill ( 24 points and 9 rebounds ) and Brett Zani ( 12 points ) to exploit the Eagles lack of height and 40% field goal shooting percentage. Whilst only narrowly losing the battle of the backboards, thanks mainly to a game - high 13 rebounds by Jared Eyles, the Eagles were unable to find the answer to the two ex - Wildcats, and sent their opponents to the free throw 25 times
Eyles' return to something approaching match fitmess produced 10 points and 4 blocked shots, but with Paul Erceg and Aaron Fennell out of the line - up, the Eagles didn't have a second big man option to counter the visitors
To their credit, the Eagles shooting percentage, free throw percentage and defensive intensity are improving weekly, providing some light at the end of the tunnel in what was always going to be a rebuilding season for the team
WSBL
Teagan Walker and Jane Ellen Tauschke combined for more than half of the Eagles 28 second quarter points to enable the Eagles to take a 10 point half time lead over the visiting Slammers after trailing by one point at quarter time
The second half of the game was more of an arm wrestle, as each team tried to wrest the initiative, but a 16 - 13 third quarter thanks to an all - round team effort from the home side established a 13 point three quarter time lead for the home side. That 13 point lead turned out to be the Eagles eventual winning margin
For the Eagles, the effervescent Natasha Glass scored only 3 points, but secured a game - high 10 rebounds as well as equalling Tauschke's game - high 5 assists. Walker added 9 rebounds to her game - high 16 points, whilst local junior Krystle Lecerf's cameo role netted her 7 points
Coach Kerry Walker would be pleased with the team's better spread of scorers in this game, as four players hit double figures and 9 of the 10 players scored
Despite taking 11 less shots than their visitors, the Eagles superior 40 - 31% shooting from the field and 21 points from the free throw line proved the difference in a game where the teams were fairly evenly matched in all other categories except fouls committed
MEN
The Eagles helped big man Paul Erceg celebrate his 50th game in the best possible way with a 19 - point win over the Slammers
Erceg continued his recent good rebounding form, securing a game - high 18 boards
Mark Shipley, who recently celebrated his 50th SBL game was the high scorer for the game with 25 points
In a match where both teams were desperate to record a victory, the game was a dour struggle for the first three quarters, with the teams never separated by more than 4 points at any break. After Bunbury won the third quarter 16 - 14 to reduce the Eagles' already slender lead to only 2 points, the crowd grew noisier as first Shipley and then Captain Aaron Wigg made great plays to break the game open
Shipley and Wigg outscored the entire Slammers team in the final quarter, combining for 18 of the team's 28 last quarter points to seal the team's first victory for the season
While Shipley was the only Eagle to score in each of the four quarters, Matt Gent had a double - double with 10 points and 10 rebounds; while Paul Widdis' 13 points off the bench, added to Robbie Cross' 10 helped the home team
For the visitors, Wade Bennett ( 18 points, 11 rebounds ), Aaron Edwards ( 14 & 16 ) and an uncharacteristically quiet Lee Smith ( 11 points, 9 rebounds ) combined for 2/3 of the team's score and 3/4 of their rebounds
WSBL
With both teams locked on a 5 - 7 win - loss record and looking for a spot in the finals, the return match between the Senators and the visiting Eagles took on a new importance
Honours were shared in the first half, with firstly the Eagles and then the home team winning a quarter by 3 points, leaving the teams locked on 40 - all at half time
However any expectations of a tooth and nail 2nd half struggle were put to rest as the Senators, led by former Eagle Alicia Rinaldi's 10 third - quarter points, and Gina Stevens' 9 took an 11 - point lead into the 3/4 time break. Game - high scorer Tegan Walker was held to 7 points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, while Hayley Hall and Natasha Glass scored 8 and 10 points respectively during the same period
While Walker valiantly struggled to keep her team in the game with 9 final quarter points, only Anita Vann scored more than two points for the Eagles, as the home team, with 8 of their 10 players scoring in the final quarter, took a stranglehold on the game. The result catapulted the Senators into 3rd spot in the North Conference, a game ahead of 4th - placed Mustangs and 5th - placed Eagles who each have 5 wins and 8 losses
While the Eagles scored at 40% from the field, compared to their opponents' 42%, they took 13 less shots and were uncharacteristically poor from the free throw line, whereas the Senators made the most of their 24 attempts, hitting 20 of them
For the Eagles, Hayley Hall and Natasha Glass scored 12 points each, while Keryn McGregor and Anita Vann scored 10 and 9 points respectively. The Eagles narrowly lost the battle of the backboards, with Hall, Glass and Walker making the biggest impact. Eleanor Haring's 22 points and 11 boards were best for the Senators
MEN
An entertaining men's game was spoiled by the half - time discovery that both change rooms had been raided by thieves who made off with wallets, mobile telephones, credit cards, cash and jewellery
The 30 point 1st quarter effort by both teams was dominated by Mark Shipley's 12 points and Kurt Slabolepszy's 10 for the Senators. Shipley and point guard Leigh Walker combined for 17 of the Eagles' 29 second quarter points as the visitors closed in on a 20 point lead part way through the second quarter. However the Senators, aided by an even spread of scorers, rallied to cut the deficit to 12 by half time
No doubt both Coaches had difficulty focussing their teams after the half time discovery of the thefts, but the Senators increased their defensive pressure to eat away at the visitors' lead. At 3/4 time, the lead was down to 3 points as Mark Shipley was kept scoreless for the third quarter, leaving Paul Erceg ( 8 points for the quarter ) and State Under 18 player Robbie Cross ( 5 points ) to keep the Eagles in front
The home team carried their momentum into the last quarter to gain the lead and then extend it, as Russell Haxby and Slabolepszy stepped up. However the ever - improving Eagles weren't going down without a fight, and cut the deficit to three with a tip - in at the final buzzer
Although it was a disappointing result for the young, inexperienced Eagles, the coaching staff can take heart in their improvement over the season
Mark Shipley, despite being held to 3 points in the second half, top scored for the Eagles with 24 points, while Aaron Wigg fell two assists short of a triple double with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists while committing only 3 fouls and 3 turnovers. Leigh Walker joined Wigg on 17 points, while Paul Erceg achieved another double - double with 12 points and 11 rebounds
Next Eagles games :
Week 12, Friday 18th July : v Wanneroo Wolves @ Morley Sport & Recreation Centre.
Women tip off at 6:30 pm and men at 8:30
Please click the BWA link at the bottom of the page and then check into the SBL and then Previews / Reviews tabs for statistics and BWA's view on the games
Copyright © 1998 - 2003 imPRINT Promotions and East Perth District Basketball Association ( Inc. )
This page last updated 7th July 2003
