Sport
31 January, 2024
McKenzie king of the court
Horsham Hornets' Austin McKenzie has won the Country Basketball League's top-scoring award, three points ahead of Portland's Nathan Hardingham and 50 ahead of Terang's Ryley Hutchins.
Horsham Hornets' Austin McKenzie has won the Country Basketball League's top-scoring award, three points ahead of Portland's Nathan Hardingham and 50 ahead of Terang's Ryley Hutchins.
Over 16 games, McKenzie amassed 355 points which included 25 three-pointers.
McKenzie, the Hornets MVP last season, was thrilled with the feat.
"It feels good to be able to top the league," he said.
"It wasn't a goal of mine at the start of the season. I just wanted to win every game and would rather score two points and win, rather than 50 and lose."
McKenzie thanked his teammates as they played a major part.
"It's just a product of all my teammates finding me in the right spots," he said.
"They held defensive players which took the load off me and let me explore on the offensive end a bit more."
Last year McKenzie finished fourth on 291 points and when asked what he did to elevate his game this year, he put it down to training.
"I just stuck with it. I kept training throughout the year and it just translated to game day," he said.
McKenzie was overseas in the US in 2022 when the Hornets last won the title and last season they lost in the semi-finals to Mt Gambier. That result spurred them on this season and he urges fans to show up on Saturday as they have also thrived off the energy of the crowd.
"It hurt us a bit last year. We felt we could have contented for the title and were unlucky to get knocked out," he explained.
"The fans have been unreal this year. If they are loud as they have been it adds a sixth player and I hope many show up because they have been awesome for us.
"I also have good friends that come around and get up and about and that just motivates me more."
McKenzie said he doesn't feel any added pressure in being the league's best player.
"I don't feel any pressure at all. I am hoping for a couple of wins and we are confident we can do that."
Coach Scott Benbow highlighted McKenzie's importance and said it was a massive achievement.
"To lead the scoring is a hell of an achievement and it is a reward for everything," he said.
"He is a hugely important player for us. A lot of teams focus on him so he is hard to stop. He has matured into a role that is facilitating our shooters.
"He is enjoying being around the team. The extra year he has spent with us has helped with the group and cohesion."