The team faced a tough challenge against Sharks Blue, the top team in the conference, and ultimately fell short with a 61-point loss. Despite the result, there were positive takeaways, and the players showed resilience and fighting spirit throughout the game.

1st Quarter:

Sharks Blue came out strong with an aggressive full-court press, which caused us significant trouble early on. We struggled to break their press and found it difficult to get into an offensive rhythm. However, Esey stepped up and managed to lead our scoring efforts during a challenging quarter.

2nd Quarter:

In the second quarter, we made some defensive adjustments that helped us slow down Sharks Blue’s initial offensive bursts. Unfortunately, we failed to secure key defensive rebounds, allowing Sharks to capitalise on second-chance points. These extra possessions widened the gap and kept us on the back foot.

3rd Quarter:

Esey and Dylan continued to carry the offensive load in the third quarter, providing much-needed points. However, transition defense became an issue, as turnovers gave Sharks easy opportunities on the break. These quick scores allowed Sharks Blue to build a large deficit, making it difficult for us to mount a comeback.

4th Quarter:

The team showed great improvement on defense in the final quarter. James made several crucial steals, leading to fast-break points that helped us regain some momentum. Tom also played a key role with vital defensive rebounds, while Esey’s defensive effort stood out, including taking a charge that unfortunately went uncalled by the referee. Despite our efforts, Sharks Blue’s dominance kept the game out of reach.

Final Thoughts:

Though the 61-point loss was disappointing, the team demonstrated resilience and fought hard until the final buzzer. Sharks Blue are an excellent team, and we hope to show more improvement in the return fixture. Key areas to address include taking better care of the basketball, starting games more effectively, and settling into our rhythm sooner.

On a positive note, after a trip to A&E due to an elbow to the face, Esey has fully recovered and will be back in action this weekend. His leadership on both ends of the court will be critical as we continue to grow as a team.