Sport
8 October, 2024
Maryborough Blazers score one point victory in season opener to kickstart CBL campaign
A mixed weekend for the Maryborough Blazers saw them come away with one win from three games as the 2024 Country Basketball League (CBL) season tipped off.
It was the Lady Blazers who opened proceedings at Gisborne on Saturday night as they came up against the Macedon Ranges Rockies.
They would face quite a task, missing the likes of key players in Maddy Egan and Keisha Tonzing, but they showed they were up to the task throughout the opening half.
In particular, it was Aislinn McCarthy who was showing out in her first appearance for the team, pouring in many points as the Blazers led at the first break, scoring 19 points to 15.
The second quarter was similarly competitive, with Macedon closing the gap a little bit, but an excellent finish to the half, driven by Zali Linton, who hit some key shots, allowed the Lady Blazers to maintain a four-point lead at the main break, leading 37-33.
The Lady Blazers were hoping to continue their good form as they came out of the sheds for the second half, but it wasn’t to be. Instead, Macedon started hitting shots from range, which the Lady Blazers simply couldn’t compete with, despite their best efforts.
That meant that Macedon had completely turned the game around with a 27-9 quarter, turning their four-point deficit into a 14-point lead by the final change.
Again, the Lady Blazers were competitive in the final term, but were left to rue their third quarter, as they eventually went down 61-74.
McCarthy performed extremely well on debut, scoring a weekend-high 36 points, which included three triples, while playing-coach Faith McKenzie was the next best scorer, putting up seven points.
The men’s first game of the season was a thriller, scoring a one-point victory, with Kynan Carter the hero thanks to a last-second layup.
In a tight opening quarter, the Rockies were able to take a two-point lead courtesy of a 15-13 run, but it was all the Blazers in the second term.
In particular, it was Matt Johnston who lit up the term in his return from injury, as he poured in multiple tough shots from outside the arc to give the Blazers the lead, scoring 19 points to 12 for the term to lead 32-27 at the main break.
When the teams came out for the second half, it looked as though the Blazers would run away with the game as they went on a 10-4 run to lead by 11 points.
But the Rockies soon got themselves back into the game, and buoyed by their home supporters, would score 20 points to 19 for the term to trail by just four points at the final change, with the Blazers leading 51-47.
The final quarter was a rollercoaster affair, with the Rockies looking to start their season with a win.
They hit the front, but would immediately cease the lead as they conceded two technical fouls during the quarter, which would eventually prove costly.
Still, the Rockies were in front by one point for the final possession, but Carter was found underneath the basket, and he laid the ball up with just six tenths of a second remaining to help Maryborough take a memorable win.
Johnston’s groundwork, which saw him score 16 points, was vital, while Bailey Jacobs scored 13 points and Carter 12.
The team had a difficult task the following day against a Castlemaine Cannons team which are expected to contend this season.
The Cannons had secured a big breakthrough victory against the Bendigo Braves the night before, and were on top from the start, scoring 24 points to 14 in the first term on Sunday.
The Blazers were hoping to get back into the game, but it wasn’t to be as the Cannons had every answer for all of Maryborough’s challenges, and scored 28 points to 14 in the second term to essentially have the game sealed at the main break, leading 52-28.
To their credit, Maryborough did not lie down, and the Blazers had a competitive third term, with new signing Jack Hexter leading the way, helping the Blazers score 21 points. The Cannons were able to extend their lead, however, scoring 26 points for the term to lead 78-49 at the final change.
Maryborough finished the game strongly, scoring 24 points to 20 to ensure they would lose the second half by just one point, with the final result seeing Castlemaine win 98-73.
Hexter was very handy in scoring 13 points in his first game, while Lachlan Drummond had some good moments in scoring 12 points. Jacobs added 11, while Ky Swards and Darcy Bond scored eight points apiece.
Maryborough’s next assignment will be on Sunday when they travel to Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre to take on the Bacchus Marsh Lions.