Basketball
2 December, 2024
Hornets buzzing into finals
The Horsham Hornets won their ninth consecutive game, finishing top of the ladder in the Country Basketball League with a tough 95-73 win over Ararat at the Horsham Basketball Stadium on Sunday.
With Mount Gambier breathing down their necks after finishing the season off well, the Hornets needed a win to secure the top spot. They started well in the first quarter, taking a 24-15 lead into quarter-time with Austin McKenzie on fire, scoring 17 points.
Playing for pride, Ararat outscored the Hornets in the second quarter, reducing the margin to five points at the main break.
It was a tough battle in the third, and Ararat maintained their fight, outscoring the Hornets again to reduce the margin to two points at three-quarter time.
With Ararat having the momentum, the Hornets players gathered and worked out what they could change. They responded with an unbelievable final quarter, scoring 30 to 10 to run out 22-point winners, 95-73.
Austin McKenzie and Micah Livingstone were sensational for the Hornets, scoring 33 and 31 points, respectively.
Wilbur Shea scored 25 points for the Redbacks, with Ethan Lindeblad, 17, Joshua Fieger, 13, and Oliver Lindeblad, 13, all scoring double-figures.
Hornets coach Scott Benbow said it's great to finish top, but the focus is firmly on the semi-final against Millicent next week.
"The focus was to finish top and get that home final, and we did the work and are focusing firmly on next week," Benbow said.
"There wasn't too much celebrating, but the boys are very proud of their achievements."
Benbow praised Ararat for the way they went about it.
"Ararat shot the ball well, and the first three quarters, they made us work for it, and it's a credit to them," Benbow said.
"At half-time, the message was that they are not going away, we have to fight for it, and these are the games we want.
"Our first quarter was good, and our second quarter, we didn't play our style, and we just regrouped and got back into it.
"At three-quarter time, the message was to keep fighting, and again, I highlighted how we wanted to win this.
"The guys talked about what they needed to do, and it turned out pretty well."
While Austin McKenzie and Micah Livingstone poured on the points, Cody Bryan's defensive efforts and Mitch Martin's leadership were also outstanding.
"Aussie was outstanding in the first quarter and got in a little bit of foul trouble in the second quarter, so Micah stepped up off the bench like he always does," Benbow said.
"Micah was solid and hit some threes, and his game is developing, and it's a great asset to have him coming off the bench the way he does.
"Mitch Martin did good things, led the team well, worked hard, and brought everyone into the game.
"Cody Bryan was unbelievable. His defense was outstanding and off the charts, and he had five or six blocks and stepped up.
"Everyone is playing a role, and the energy off the bench is great."
Benbow highly praised Freddy Frew. Since moving into the starting five three weeks ago, he has scored 29 points in three games, including ten on Sunday. Benbow said he is playing exceptionally well.
He started at guard, and his energy was good, and he was absolutely amazing," Benbow said.
"He is undersized, but he works hard and is a dynamic on defence, and he was just fantastic.
"Moving him into the five meant we have put Tarkyn Benbow on the bench as a bigger body backup, and pairing him with Charlie Campbell is a good thing to have as they are athletic and give us good depth off the bench."
The Hornets now host Millicent next week. They are entering the finals with a three-game winning streak. The Hornets' only loss this season was against them in round one, so Benbow knows it will be a tough encounter.
"They are a young and athletic team and are very energetic," Benbow said.
"Jackson Bowden is good for them, Frazer Bradley and Harry Mules are excellent players, so to have that quality in their starting five is very dangerous as they shoot the ball well.
"Our players will have their defensive assignments, and we will try and push them up the floor, and we know they will be confident, but the boys are ready.
"Top spot is excellent to get, and we are now entirely focused on Saturday night. We are looking forward to having 450 supporters barracking for us.
"We want to win and have a good crack at who gets through the match between Warrnambool and Mount Gambier."
Mount Gambier hosts Warrnambool in the other semi-final. They are entering the finals on a seven-game winning streak, their last loss coming against the Hornets in round three on October 19.
ARARAT FINISH SEASON OFF WITH A FIGHT
Meanwhile, despite losing on Sunday, Ararat had a massive win at home against the Portland Coasters on Saturday.
They blew the Coasters away in the first quarter, scoring 30-14 to set the game up. Both teams kept it tight in the second quarter, with the margin staying the same at half-time.
The Coasters fought hard in the third quarter, pegging the margin back to 13 points at the final break. In an identical scoreline as the third quarter, 22-19, Ararat ultimately won by 10 points, 86-76.
Ethan Lindeblad led the way for the Redbacks with 23 points. Joshua Fiegert also scored 20. Oliver Lindeblad, 18, Wilbur Shea, 13 and Sebastian Lindeblad, 10, scored double figures.
Ararat finished seventh on the ladder with three wins for the season, which was a brilliant effort. Joshua Fiegert was sensational, finishing second on the point-scoring table with 209, just 31 behind Hamilton's Joshua Miller.
Oliver Lindeblad finished outside the top ten in eleventh place with 145 points in nine out of the ten games.
