Basketball
18 November, 2024
Martin fires as Hornets make statement
Mitch Martin has produced a stunning display, shooting seven three-pointers as the Hornets made a statement, defeating Warrnambool by 19 points in the top-of-the-table clash in round seven of the Country Basketball League.
The conditions on the court were hot, with the mercury hitting 32 degrees at the commencement of the match.
The Hornets entered the game without Micah Livingstone, and with both teams boasting great defences, the pressure was immense early as teams got used to the conditions and each other. The Seahawks scored 11 points in the first quarter to take a two-point lead into quarter-time.
The Hornets, led by Martin, started to find their range. They scored 24 points in the second quarter to reverse that deficit and take a three-point lead at the main break.
Both teams shot the lights out in the third quarter, scoring 53 points between them, with the Hornets extending their margin to eight points at the last break.
The Hornets didn't stop in the last, adding another 24 points to run out 86-67 winners and stay at the top of the ladder.
Martin shot 25 points in a blistering display, with Austin McKenzie shooting 23. Riley Nicolson was on fire for the Seahawks, shooting a game-high 37 points.
Hornets coach Scott Benbow said it was all about conserving energy early in the tough conditions.
"It was scorching, and the heat policy nearly took effect, and in the first quarter, we played within ourselves," Benbow said.
"We started with Cody Bryan, Austin McKenzie, Mitch Martin, Jake Hobbs, and Fred Frew, who played on Des O'Keefe as they are similar players, lighter-framed guys.
"The Seahawks jumped the gun hard, and it was a bit of a slinging match, and we made good stops and rebounds, but we had to change things up in the second quarter.
"In that quarter, we brought Tarkyn Benbow on, and he and Freddy ran hard and brought the pace, which put the pressure off Mitch, which allowed him to do what he does best.
"The younger boys came on, and we moved it quicker and started to find our range."
Mitch Martin was electric, and Benbow said it was the best he had seen Martin shoot.
"I haven't seen him shoot the ball better, and it was like he was shooting from the other side of the world. He was making big shots," Benbow said.
"He was on song, and it really broke their hearts. He was unreal."
Over the last few rounds, Benbow has been able to rotate players and give the bench extended court time. This allowed him to make many rotations to keep players fresh in the heat.
When asked how important it is for everyone to play a lot of minutes heading into finals, Benbow pointed out that it is massive.
"It's huge to give them court exposure so we can see where it all fits," Benbow said.
"They put some work into Charlie Campbell and didn't let him jump, which frustrated him a bit, so he got to experience that side of things.
"When you also have guys like Aussie McKenzie, one of the best players in the league, and Mitch shooting like that, and having the other boys support them, it meant rotating the players was easier."
The Hornets play a doubleheader this weekend in round eight. They travel to Portland on Saturday night and then play at home against Terang on Sunday.