NBL1 HOOPCITY SUPERCATS MEN
It was a big doubleheader weekend for the Supercats Men taking on the Knox Raiders on Friday night for DeMarcus Gatlinβs 100th game, before travelling to Eltham on Saturday to take on the Wildcats.
Running onto the floor for the 100th time of Friday night, DeMarcus and the Supercats had a tough challenge ahead of them, as the Raiders welcomed multiple NBL players into their line-up. The loaded offensive outfits for both teams struggled out of the gate, as the Supercats trailed by 9 heading into the quarter break 10-19. The Supercats picked it up in the second quarter reducing the deficit to just 2, off the hot shooting from Gabe Hadley (Lara Giants). The third quarter was much the same as the Supercats outscored the raiders by 6, to pull away to a 4-point lead heading into the fourth, as Gabe Handley sunk his 6th three of the game. However, the 4th quarter was all the Knox Raiders as their defence locked in to hold the Supercats to just 3 points before George Blagojevicβs last-minute scoring burst to try and regain the lead. It was not to be however as the team fell for the first time at home and for the season. Despite the loss, Gabe Hadley was on fire recording 26 points to go with 8 rebounds. George Blagojevic was the only other double-digit scorer who posted 16 and 14.
Supercats meet in centre court after a tough outing against the Knox Raiders, Mandy Johns
Saturday night the team travelled to Eltham Highschool looking to end their weekend with a 1-1 split and remain in the top 2 of the South Conference. A close first half saw the Supercats trail by 6 heading into halftime, 50-44. A defensive second half saw Geelong hold the Wildcats to just 26 points allowing them to claw back the lead and take home a 9 point win. Gabe Hadley was again superb as he finished the game with 21 points and 6 rebounds, while DeMarcus Gatlin (Wildcats) has started to find his MVP form from 2019 as he posted 21 points and 12 rebounds to go with 4 steals.
The team will head to Mt Gambier to face the Pioneers as a top of the table clash this Saturday night before returning to the Geelong Arena the following week to take on the heavy-hitting Frankston Blues, with Jack White making his debut in front of the Geelong home crowd! Tickets are available HERE.
TOP PERFORMANCES
Gabe Hadley 26 points 8 rebounds 2 assists
George Blagojevic 16 points 14 rebounds 2 steals 2 blocks
DeMarcus Gatlin 21 points 12 rebounds 4 assists 4 steals
NBL1 HOOPCITY SUPERCATS WOMEN
The Knox Raiders were in town on Friday night, looking to spoil the perfect home record of the HoopCity Supercats Women. With new import Sara Hamson and Centre Alicia Froling imposing the frontcourt, the Supercats had their work cut out for them. A slow start out of the gate, it felt like both teams had a lid over their baskets, as the home team headed into the halftime break up 32-28. The battle of Blicavs V Froling was an outlier in the first half, with both averaging over 20 and 10 on the season, they left each other near scoreless entering the second half. Sara managed to pick it up in the second half as she ended the game with 19 points and 17 rebounds ensuring that the team stayed undefeated at home. Sarah OβNeill was once again instrumental off the bench with 16 points to go with 9 rebounds.
Saturday night the women also headed to Eltham to take on the wildcats in an important game to ensure they stayed near the top of the table. Jumping out to a 7 point lead at halftime the Supercats were able to maintain their lead throughout the second half to pull away with a 12 point win. Sara Blicavs was back to her usual self, posting 23 points and 14 rebounds, while frontcourt partner and WNBL teammate Taylah Simmons posted her best game for the season with 17 points and 3 rebounds to go with 2 steals.
The team will head to Mt Gambier for a top of the table clash with the Pioneers on Saturday night before returning for a contest with the Frankston Blues the following week. Tickets are available HERE.
TOP PERFORMANCES
Sara Blicavs 19 points 17 rebounds 3 blocks
Sarah OβNeill 16 points 9 rebounds
Taylah Simmons 17 points 3 rebounds 2 steals
