Crocs Finish Weekend With Bite

Yesterday the Townsville Crocodiles (my team) defeat the Gold Coast Blaze 113-96 which meant we took out the prestigious Queensland Cup.

After having Saturday off and having played two solid games over the weekend, we could have come out rather sluggish but like true professionals we came out and got the jump on the Blaze early.

The first half was a stop-start affair because of the amount of fouls that occurred but momentum was always squarely with the Crocs.

Rebounding and running was our theme for the weekend and it worked out quite nicely. Once we got the defensive rebound and ran with it, it was hard for teams to match our speed in the open court.

Blaze coach Brendon Joyce was not a happy camper in the first half. He collected two technical fouls and a leave pass to watch the game in the beer garden.

Up by twenty one at the half, we wanted to come out early in the third and continue to play well at the defensive end so the Blaze could not work themselves back into the game.

We came out a little sloppy and began to take some tough shots that allowed the Blaze to score a little easier. This play enabled the Blaze to cut the lead to about eleven with seven minutes left in the game.

Sensing momentum was slipping, it was time for someone to step up and take control. A tough step back three followed by a deep transition three by number 31 for the Crocs meant that this one could be put on ice.

Crocs Russell Hinder continued to have a good weekend. He lead the Crocs with 24 points while I chipped in with 21 and Cam Tovey (pronounced toe-vee) had a sneaky 19. Corey Williams made us look good with his 9 assists.

For the Blaze Shane Heal lead their scoring with 25.

This was a good weekend for the Crocs. Sure I’m going to say that because we won all our games, but the way we played was pleasing. There is no doubt we need to get better, but I think all players got a taste for the style we need to play to be effective.

We are a smaller team but our effort and hustle on defense will allow us to run on offense which will become an attribute. That makes rebounding priority #1.

The only real disappointing thing to come out of the weekend is the ankle injury sustained by newcomer Brad Williamson. Brad was just starting to get his feet wet before he had the fall that led to his injury. Hopefully he will be back on the court soon and is ready for the start of the regular season.

Points Of Interest Over The Weekend

- New Sydney Spirit import Derek Low will be mistaken for New Zealand Breaker Paul Henare many times throughout the season.

- Daniel Joyce has new ink, you just cannot see it because of his jersey.

- Pero Cameron is still strong. He nearly castrated me on a corporate box as we both hustled for a loose ball.

- Larry “Birdman” Abney is wearing the ugliest shoes this season.

- Dave Thomas has some live legs right now. I can’t wait to watch video this week and see how many times he got an offensive rebound when he was my man.

- Russell Hinder made more shots this weekend then he took while with the Sydney Kings for 2 years.

- Graeme Dann still hasn’t learnt how to use all that talent.

- If Cairns Taipans development player Kerry Williams finds a jumpshot, he will become a PLAYER.

- Gold Coast Blaze second year man Tyson Demos needs to lose the “rat’s tail”.

- Neither James Harvey (ankle) nor import Luke Whitehead (ankle) made the trip up for the Blaze.

- Darnell Mee took his RDO (rostered day off) on Sunday.

I'm finally back in the tech savvy mecca of Townsville so after a little shut eye I will be able to give you an update of all things happening in the world of hoops.