Top of the Ladder

This past Friday saw the top two teams in the league meet. We were the second place team and the opponent was the top team of the league up to that point in the season. In the week leading up to the game I could tell everybody around the club and fans were very excited for the game. I don't know how many people came up to me to tell me that it would be a big and good game and that the place would be packed (playing at home by the way). Also, apparently Lakeside and our opponent, Cockburn, are pretty big rivals and always have tightly contested and heated games. The game only turned out to be only one of those types of games. We jumped on them quickly and built a double digit lead fairly early on that reached a 30 point lead at the end of the third quarter. We began to coast a bit in the 4th quarter but the damage was already done and we ended up winning by 19. 

Despite it not being a very close contest it was still very competitive. I would say this was one of the most physical games that I have been apart of (definitely since I've been here). This was especially the case for me. One of the things that has annoyed me the most about the refereeing in this league is that they call absolutely nothing off the ball. It has to be murder for them to make a call. Holding, grabbing, robbing, throwing, you could almost do whatever here. This is tougher for me because teams have really started to try and focus on doing as much of this as possible to me to try and slow me down. So far, I've done a really good job of playing through it, using other alternatives, and keeping my cool and not letting the defenders throw me off my game. BUT, that still doesn't mean it hasn't affected me physically. Saturday morning I was absolutely a wreck. So sore and bruised and knocked. At least thats all it was tho, and nothing serious. So I'm ok and as I'm writing this on Thursday, but wow it can take a toll especially if we have back to back games like we do this weekend. All in all tho, I had another good game against Cockburn, and was very satisfied with the result. 

Also like to note that this past Saturday I got to go to another AFL (football A.K.A. footy) game. This time it was a regular season game and the action was much more intense and interesting. Me talking about a physical basketball game compared to this game makes me almost want to never complain about getting bumped or bruised again. Maybe I should just suck it up. These guys absolutely look like they could kill each other sometimes. Made for some very entertaining football and a fun night.  

Nice Road Win

This past Saturday we made the road trip into somewhat of the interior of Western Australia to the mining town Kalgoorlie. This wasn't just a short ride, it was an 8 hour bus ride. This would equal about one of the longest bus rides I've ever made to play a game. The difference is that in the past we have never made such a long ride and then played the SAME day. Yep, thats what we did. Well not only did we do that but we played a really good game and ended up winning against one of the better teams in the league. They had also won the league championship each of the last two years. Needless to say, everybody was very excited. Of course we knew we could win, but given the circumstances of the trip and also that very few teams ever win there it was a good feeling, and made the ride home a lot easier. As for me, I also had a very good game. I think I scored like 21 points in the first half, and in the second half they made it more difficult by throwing a box in one on me and I finished with 30 points. However, late in the game they had cut our lead to 4 points and not too long after that I hit a couple big shots that gave us a little more space. That was then tho, and now we got another big game this week against the team that is tied with us atop the standings. So obviously, whoever wins will be in first place in the league at this moment. Let you know how it goes!!

Blowout

This past Thursday we had a very easy win. I believe we won by 41. It wasn't necessarily that the other team was very bad, but it was our most complete defensive performance thus far this season. We totally dominated the game defensively. In the third quarter alone we gave up only 7 points. Guys were all over the place on the defensive end, and this was the first time all year that it has been like that. I probably had my weakest offensive performance of the season (16 points on 5-15 shooting) but despite that still thought I played a good all around game. 

Our game was on a Thursday instead of the usual Friday or Saturday allowing for a long weekend without any commitments. I haven't really planned to do anything in particular. Several of the guys that I would usually hang out with have gone away for the holiday, so that's not really an option for me. I do know that Australia will get Masters coverage, so I'm sure I'll be finding time to check that out. Also hope to get out and about and maybe explore a little more of Perth and the local area. Who knows tho, we'll just have to see what comes about. 

Hope everybody has a wonderful Easter and takes time to reflect and appreciate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Win

We picked up another win Friday night here at Lakeside. I believe the final score was 111-89. It was a better showing by us compared to last weekend. Also helps to have our best rebounder back playing with us. We still have many areas that need improvement, but its always good to get a win regardless. Personally, I had a pretty solid game finishing with 30 points. 

Not a whole lot going on right now. Basically been relaxing a bit and then either practicing or working out. Although today (Sunday), is the first game for the 14 year old team that I am helping coach at Lakeside. Be interesting to see how that goes but it'll be fun. 

Also know that the Final Four games have been on and already played. I'm trying hard to keep my eyes and ears closed around here as to not hear or see the result of the games, to some success. I think I've heard that there was an upset. I'm guessing that that mean's either UCONN or UNC went down. Also, would mean that any hope I had at winning my bracket competition just died. My suspense will be lifted later tonight when the games will be broadcasted here. So hopefully, I won't hear anything else till then.