DIEHARD
09-09-07, 09:10 AM
Gold Coast Blaze have created basketball history.
In front of a traditionally hostile Townsville crowd, the Blaze turned on their best display yet to score a 111-98 victory over the Crocodiles.
The win will go down as the National Basketball League club's first, and it came less than two weeks after the entire squad trained together for the first time.
Although thrilled with the victory, Blaze coach Brendan Joyce maintained that pre-season results mean nothing.
"It's a good feeling," he said. "But pre-season results don't mean anything.
"What's important is how we're playing and last night was really positive.
"You could see improvements since we played them (last Thursday)."
The Blaze got off to a slow start and trailed 31-27 at the first break but found their rhythm in the second quarter.
The visitors turned a four-point deficit into a six-point lead by half-time (58-52) and extended the buffer to 19 (92-73) with an outstanding third term.
Townsville edged closer in the final term but the Blaze held firm to upset the 2006/07 finalists -- and all in the absence of centre Ben Melmeth, who Joyce opted to rest because of groin soreness.
Guard James Harvey starred for the Gold Coast and finished with a game-high 29 points.
Import Jason Crowe chimed in with 20 points in a performance Joyce described as the American's best yet.
Juaquin Hawkins hit 19 points while Casey Frank managed 19 points, five rebounds and four assists off the bench.
Daniel Egan (23), Rosell Ellis (22) and Michael Cedar (14) top-scored for the Crocodiles.
More significantly, Crocs' sharpshooter John Rillie, who cost the Blaze victory when the two sides met last week, was held to eight points by the defensive combination of Harvey, Crowe and Daniel Joyce.
"We did a heck of a job on Rillie," said coach Joyce.
"It was the second time around, our imports had seen him and we were aiming to keep him between 10 and 14 points, so we certainly did that."
The Blaze travel to Mackay today ahead of a rematch with the Crocs tomorrow night.
Joyce said he was undecided on whether Melmeth would return to the pine for the contest.
The Gold Coast's final pre-season game, against the New Zealand Breakers, will be held at The Southport School on Monday.
Club officials yesterday announced admission -- limited to the 1000-seat capacity -- to the game would be free of charge.
Meanwhile, tickets to the Gold Coast's NBL debut against the Brisbane Bullets on September 19 are reportedly selling fast.
Source: GCBULLETIN
In front of a traditionally hostile Townsville crowd, the Blaze turned on their best display yet to score a 111-98 victory over the Crocodiles.
The win will go down as the National Basketball League club's first, and it came less than two weeks after the entire squad trained together for the first time.
Although thrilled with the victory, Blaze coach Brendan Joyce maintained that pre-season results mean nothing.
"It's a good feeling," he said. "But pre-season results don't mean anything.
"What's important is how we're playing and last night was really positive.
"You could see improvements since we played them (last Thursday)."
The Blaze got off to a slow start and trailed 31-27 at the first break but found their rhythm in the second quarter.
The visitors turned a four-point deficit into a six-point lead by half-time (58-52) and extended the buffer to 19 (92-73) with an outstanding third term.
Townsville edged closer in the final term but the Blaze held firm to upset the 2006/07 finalists -- and all in the absence of centre Ben Melmeth, who Joyce opted to rest because of groin soreness.
Guard James Harvey starred for the Gold Coast and finished with a game-high 29 points.
Import Jason Crowe chimed in with 20 points in a performance Joyce described as the American's best yet.
Juaquin Hawkins hit 19 points while Casey Frank managed 19 points, five rebounds and four assists off the bench.
Daniel Egan (23), Rosell Ellis (22) and Michael Cedar (14) top-scored for the Crocodiles.
More significantly, Crocs' sharpshooter John Rillie, who cost the Blaze victory when the two sides met last week, was held to eight points by the defensive combination of Harvey, Crowe and Daniel Joyce.
"We did a heck of a job on Rillie," said coach Joyce.
"It was the second time around, our imports had seen him and we were aiming to keep him between 10 and 14 points, so we certainly did that."
The Blaze travel to Mackay today ahead of a rematch with the Crocs tomorrow night.
Joyce said he was undecided on whether Melmeth would return to the pine for the contest.
The Gold Coast's final pre-season game, against the New Zealand Breakers, will be held at The Southport School on Monday.
Club officials yesterday announced admission -- limited to the 1000-seat capacity -- to the game would be free of charge.
Meanwhile, tickets to the Gold Coast's NBL debut against the Brisbane Bullets on September 19 are reportedly selling fast.
Source: GCBULLETIN