Despite India's ranking, I rate them as a team, so was happy to come away with the win, especially with them putting in more effort. I was disappointed in our defensive effort though.
The game in five:
1. The team got off to a handy lead through a great offensive first quarter. This was driven by the centres, as Scoggins and Schnieder didn't miss a shot on the way to 17 points between them - with Scoggins scoring 6 points on offensive put backs. Reiffel, Hadley and Shishaev all got off to slow starts.
2. India scored 33 points in the 2nd quarter. Fortunatly we scored 37, to take a 16 point lead at half time. While Scoggins cooled off, Hadley and Shishaev started to get going, and Reimers scored his first NT points.
3. India got themselves within striking distance by outscoring us by 2 in the third quarter. While we were blitzing them offensively, largely due to Scoggins and Lonergan's dominating presence inside, our defense was letting them in the game.
4. A 7 point burst by Scoggins in the first couple of minutes of the final quarter got the game to garbage time. India took advantage of the subs to get the back within 9 points, but the starters closed the game out.
5. India shot over 50 per cent, which is a concern - thought the matchup ratings suggest they got a bit lucky. Still, we will need to put on better defensive showings to challenge the top teams.
The Darby Walters medal
3. Dylan Scoggins - should be no real arguments over this one. Scoggins shot 12-17, scored 27 points and grabbed 7 offensive boards. A complete game from the star big man
2. Vladimir Shishaev - While the bigs were the key to the offense, they can't score if they don't get the ball. Shishaev ensured they got the ball with 7 assists, and scored 20 points himself with a couple of 3s.
1. Darren Lonergan - the other half of the big man duo. Was outshone by Scoggins tonight, but 23 points and 5 offensive boards is good enough for a vote.
Leaderboard:
3 - Scott Schneider; Leigh Reiffel; Brent Degas; Dylan Scoggins; Darren Lonergan
2 - Vladimir Shishaev
1 - Jone Bogan
-1 - Keith Anderson
The Rudolph Radford medal
I'm refusing to give votes for this this week - our defense was crap all around, and noone was worthy of the votes.
Leaderboard:
3. Darren Lonergan
2. Lionel Walker; Scott Schnieder
1. Brent Degas; Vladimir Shishaev; Keith Anderson
The Jackson Mansfield medal leaderboard:
With one vote this week, Lonergan takes the outright lead
6. Darren Lonergan
5. Scott Schnieder
4. Brent Degas
3. Leigh Reiffel; Vladimir Shishaev; Dylan Scoggins
2. Lionel Walker
1. Jone Bogan
There is no game on next week, so we'll be able to arrange a scrimmage to test out some tactics.