Coach Grant Wallace has admitted to a level of frustration as the Hoop City Geelong United Supercats finished the NBL1 South men’s regular season with consecutive wins to finish just one game outside the top eight.
On Saturday night, Gabe Hadley exploded for 43 points, including 33 in the first half, as the Supercats saw off Keilor (16th, 8-14) 116-85 in what was close to a packed house at Geelong Arena.
On Sunday, despite Hadley (back) watching on, Geelong United used a 46-32 second half to post a 93-72 victory over the playoff-bound Waverley.
“It’s good to finish on two wins,” Coach Wallace said. “It’s frustrating that if any of those losses is a win, then we’re in the playoffs.”
“I felt like a fraud last night beating Keilor after losing to them in overtime (earlier in the season).
Hadley’s 43 points in just under 30 minutes of court time brought the crowd to its feet as he shot a stunning 8-of-12 from beyond the arc, with a 40-17 second period putting the Thunder to bed.
“He was getting the shots we wanted him to make all season,” Wallace said.
“He was making them off great looks – it was just outstanding shooting.”
George Blagojevic dropped 24 points, hauled in nine rebounds, dished three assists, and grabbed two steals in another consistent performance.
Captain DeMarcus Gatlin provided Geelong United with its first triple-double for the season, posting 12 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists.
For good measure, he also grabbed four steals and blocked three shots.
“It was a sign of the leadership he’s shown all season after coming back from his suspension,” Wallace said of the American.
“It was a really good team performance. (Matt) McCarthy was good. (Cohen) Blythe played some quality minutes.
“Liam Herbert will benefit from a pre-season after joining the team in the pre-season.
“I was able to get minutes into Jack Moran, Jack Terrill, and even (Jay) Posterino.”
On Sunday, with an understrength Waverley (8th, 12-10) locked into a finals berth and unable to move on the ladder, Geelong United was able to use its interior superiority to claim a 93-72 victory at Waverley Basketball Stadium.
Blagojevic finished with a quality double-double of 30 points and 17 rebounds, while Matt McCarthy scored 26 points and grabbed ten boards.
Nick Velasquez returned to the starting and scored 11 points, Liam Herbert scored nine points, and Gatlin had six points, six rebounds and six assists.
One of the highlights was Jay Posterino scoring a career-high seven points in playing 9:27.
