Basketball
7 October, 2024
Hornets secure a win and loss on opening weekend
The Horsham Hornets kicked off their 2024 Country Basketball League season with mixed results, securing a loss and a win on the opening weekend against Millicent and Ararat, respectively.
On Saturday, they travelled to Millicent, and just like last season, their first quarter let the Hornets down, with the Millicent Magic Men taking a 22-4 point lead into quarter-time.
The Hornets slowly started to find their groove in the second quarter, but the Magic Men held them at bay, extending the lead to 22 points at half-time.
The Hornets played better in the second, scoring 20 points, with the Magic Men scoring 21 to increase the margin to 23 points at three-quarter time.
The Hornets found their rhythm and how they wanted to play in the last quarter, scoring 25 points to 22 to lose 85-65.
Cody Bryan and Mitch Martin scored 21 and 18 points, respectively. Jackson Bowden led the Magic Men with 25.
Hornets coach Scott Benbow said it took a while to get the rust out in the first game of the year.
"We looked unsure of the ball as we were a new side playing together," Benbow said.
"Mitch Martin got back on Friday night from Bali, and Saturday morning was the first time Cody Bryan could train with the group.
"I'm not making excuses, but without Austin McKenzie, we were playing guys out of position, and Millicent is a big, tall side."
"In the second half, we had them chasing us a lot, and we moved the ball better and faster and stayed true to how we want to play this season."
On Sunday, they had to travel the opposite direction to Ararat to take on a fired-up home team. The Redbacks got on top early, taking an eight-point lead into quarter-time.
The Hornets then found their groove, scoring 25 points to 16 to lead by one at half-time. Both teams played tough basketball in the third quarter, but Ararat took a three-goal lead into three-quarter time.
With the match on the line and neither team wanting to go 0-2, the Hornets prevailed, scoring 20 points to 12 to win 76-71.
Micah Livingstone scored 22 points for the Hornets, Mitch Martin 15, and Adam Wisby 18 for Ararat.
Scott Benbow said they played much better and were thrilled to come away with a victory.
"In the first quarter, Ararat played good basketball, and they lined up different to what I thought, so we had to change things up," Benbow said.
"We played more defence, got a few more steals off that, and played our game.
"In the last quarter, when it was tight, we left our veterans on the court in Matty and Jono Lovel, and their bigger bodies helped us rebound, and their experience was vital."
"I am happy to leave the weekend 1-1. We will be better from this run, and in round three in two weeks, we should have everyone back and will be ready."
Benbow said Livingstone's debut off the bench was remarkable.
"He took the game on when he got onto the court, wasn't shy or overrated by the occasion and played unbelievably," Benbow said.
"He probably left 12 of 14 points on the floor as he was making good moves and was missing some shots, and it's a promising start for a young 16-year-old.
ARARAT START 0-2
On Saturday, Ararat hosted Terang Tornadoes, and the Redbacks came out firing early with Oliver Lindeblad and Joshua Fiegert on fire, giving the Rats an 8-2 lead.
The Rats forged ahead, but in the last four minutes, the Tornadoes came back to trail by one point at quarter-time.
The Tornadoes were relentless in the second quarter, scoring 28 points to 14 to lead by 13 at half-time.
Ararat started the third quarter quickly, pegging the margin back early, and sustained it throughout the quarter to level the scores a three-quarter time.
With the match up for grabs in the last, it was tight early, but the Tornadoes started to get on top and ultimately won by nine points, 87-78.
Joshua Fiegert led Ararat with 28 points, followed by Oliver Lindeblad and Ethan Lindeblad, who scored 21 and 15, respectively. Timothy Gainey scored 21 for the Tornadoes.
There are only two matches in round two, with Ararat travelling to South Australia to take on Millicent on Saturday and Mt Gambier on Sunday.
Photos from the weekend feature on page 15.