28 Aug 10 - Atoms BGW Boys U16/2 (2010 Winter)
August 28th Report
"Basketball is one third shooting, one third running and one third everything else" is one of the well known sayings of the coach of the Atoms Boys U16 div 2 BGWs. And never was this better illustrated than in the BGW's narrow semi-final loss to the Cougars on August 27. The Atoms played a near perfect defensive game, denying the Cougars any rhythm and making them work hard for every basket. The intensity was great and the running in transition excellent. Alas, despite creating twice as many opportunities as the struggling Cougars did, the BGWs' shooting was ice cold. Even still, with one minute left in the game the BGWs were only 4 points down and still in with a chance. Nothing was left behind in 60 seconds of mad scramble that saw the Cougars go to the foul line many times and the BGWs have two players fouled out (and the team finish the half with 15 fouls). The BGWs know that there is no such thing as too much shooting practice, and will no doubt be outdoors practicing every day until the end of the season. Cameron Reidy will have slept well on the night of the game, after playing the entire 36 minutes without a rest. Thanks to Kate for keeping the coach well informed especially given the scoreboard at MGS still isn't working properly.
August 21st
On August 21 the Atoms Boys U/16 div 2 BGWs sewed up second place going into the finals with a repeat of the June 5 demolition of the SA Bullets. After a frustrating first 6 minutes where many baskets bobbled out, the BGWs kicked into gear and turned a 6-10 deficit into a 19-10 half time lead with their strangling defence and hard running offence. The big guys kept the BGWs in the game early, Jon in particular finishing the opportunities that came his way. The trend continued after half time with the BGWs again outscoring the Bullets 19-10 to finish the game 38-20 winners. A solid contribution from every player again, Dean being really prominent this week - he is a versatile player with a good inside game, silky skills and a good perimeter shot. Despite his illness Andre again ran hard and worked the boards strongly. Next game is the first semi final against the unbeaten Cougars, to whom the BGWs lost last time by 3 points. If you want to see a great basketball game get your backside down to that one!
August 14th Report
The nightmare continued for the Nightmares on August 14 as the Atoms BGWs BU16 div 2 displayed their superior running, shooting and defence to record a 47-18 win. After a sluggish 4-10 first 5 minutes the BGWs went on an impressive 43-8 run for the rest of the game. Every player contributed. Cameron was awesome again with his silky skills, team play and high energy. Andre starred at the defensive end and must have caused at least 10 turnovers with his pressure - most of which resulted in baskets off fast breaks. Jon hit numerous baskets inside and could have had many more - and also went coast to coast once to top it off. Mitch is an amazing shooter when he is in the groove and is deceptively fast up the court. Dean was strong inside and creative and hard running. Ben hit some good baskets. Shavin dominated in defence and was creative in offence. Well done to parents especially Janis on the loud support! Final game of the home and away round sees us secure second spot assuming game result go as expected.
Atoms BU16 div 2 BGWs moved into second after Breakers' loss on 31 July but have put that position severely at risk by losing on 7 August to fourth-placed Titans. On 7 August, gone was the intensity from previous rounds, as the BGWs walked out of the blocks and faced a half time deficit of 8-20. After glimpses of hope early in the second half, the game again quickly faded and the BGWs went down 20-36. The Titans were superior in the paint at both ends, winning most of the rebounds and scoring relatively freely off their offensive rebounds, while the BGWs were generally out muscled and had trouble finishing on those occasions when the rebound came their way. The smaller BGWs were cold from the perimeter and the normally tight defence was ragged and flat. There were no individual highlights to mention. This is a rare bad game from the boys and better to get it out of the way now, leading into the finals. With the final two games being against the two weakest teams in the competition, it is an opportunity to increase the percentage gap and retain second spot. Report 7th August
Report 31st July
The BGWS racked up another 3 premiership points on 31 July with an outstanding performance during their BYE. In a previously unheard-of team effort, not one player nor the coach made a single mistake. I hope the Cougars had their spies out watching the BGWs as this performance would have sent shivers down the Cougars' spine. Onto next week when the BGWs take on Titans, to further distance themselves from fourth and be ready to pounce if Breakers slip up in second.
July 24 report
The Boys U16 div 2 Atoms BGWs moved a step closer to second spot by demolishing currently-second Breakers with a second half of basketball that can only be described as breathtaking. After an even and mistake-riddled first half, where both teams showed their nerves because of the significance of the game, the Atoms came out firing after half time and spent the next 18 minutes at their peak of physical effort and mental application, to rack up a 24-9 half and run out 37-26 winners. Cameron "LeBron" Reidy made basket after basket with his silky ball handling and determined driving. Ben "Kobe" Hall hit numerous long range shots. Shavin "PattyMills" Perera deftly dealt with the Breakers in defence and contributed in offence with his perimeter control. Dean "Gaze" Stavrakakis regularly created opportunities seemingly out of nothing. Mitch "CJ" Collard was super reliable on the fast break, as always. Andre "Shaq" Dupen was strong inside. Jon "Kareem" Lampard was determined and fired up at the low post. In the run up to the finals, consideration is being given to selling tickets for trainings, as many wish to come and watch these superb athletes in action, and there just isn't room for everyone. Cougars watch out.
Report July 17th
As expected, the U16 div 2 Atoms BGW boys defeated the less well equipped SD Spurs on 17 July, to avenge the shock first round loss. The win was narrow, 25-19, reflecting one of those days when the finishing was cold but the other strong aspects of the BGWs' game carried them through. Again the highlight was the strong team defence, with three styles of defence being played each bamboozling the Spurs in their own way. Andre was particularly strong in defence, taking the Spurs' big guy out of the game, and was well supported in this by James and Jon. Cameron showed he is well and truly over his injury by dominating the opposition at both ends and everywhere in between and showed why he plays in the firsts at his representative team. Ben kept the scoreboard ticking over in the first half with his exquisite mid range shooting and Mitch took advantage of his opportunities in transition. Dean shot well from few attempts and repeatedly disrupted opposition moves. Never underestimate the importance of foul shooting! BGWs hit 10 from 12 and it is in games like this where the endless practice in the months and years prior, pays off. This win may give the BGWs breathing space at third and the opportunity to go after second, starting next game against currently-second Breakers.
19th June Report
Atoms BGW Boys U16/2 continued their excellent form on 19 June with a narrow loss to ladder leaders Cougars, 32-35. The Atoms got away to a slow start and were 2-9 down after a few minutes, but after the inevitable time-out came out firing and led for much of the rest of the game. The Cougars shot well in the second half to take the lead in the final stretch and Atoms were unable to regain the lead despite a frantic last minute of the game (which took about 5 minutes to play thanks to 2 timeouts and numerous free throws). Atoms took away from this game plenty to be happy about but also learned again the importance of the first few minutes of a game. Cameron Reidy dominated in the first half, racking up 14 of BGW's first 16 points, Ben Hall again in the groove in the #4 position and the rest of the guys giving their all for the full 36 minutes. Next game is the opportunity for the BGWs to avenge their shock first round loss to the arguably less well equipped SD Spurs.
June 5th Report
Crunch! A 23-6 halftime lead by the Atoms Boys U/16 div 2 BGWs, and the game against the SA Bullets was virtually over. The third placed Bullets would have gone into the game confident against the 4th placed BGWs but were blasted out of the game early by the BGWs strangling defence and hot midrange shooting. The second half was closer as the calls became more sympathetic to the struggling Bullets, but still the BGWs won the second half, for a final score of 41-20. An even performance with every player delivering - Jon again strong inside, Ben shooting the lights out, Shavin shooting well and feeding well, Mitch making several sweet backdoor cuts for baskets, Cameron assisting like crazy and Andre often finding paths to the basket, and all players playing a strong coordinated team defence. Next game is top of the table Cougars....bring 'em on!
June 1st Report
The BU16 div 2 Atoms BGWs continued on their winning way on 29 May and all but ended the finals chances of the Nightmares with a crushing 35-13 victory. The BGWs played a sensational "inside" game with Ben Hall unstoppable at the post and Andre Dupen again striking fear into those who would dare to defend him. Cameron Reidy was back to form with some amazingly skilful moves to set up numerous baskets and Mitch Collard and Dean Stavrakakis ran the floor tirelessly for the whole game. Shavin Perera hit some great outside shots and if he could stop fouling out he would hit many more! Coach Andrew Clark was at his best, standing chatting to parents while his team went to work.
May 28th Report
After an uncharacteristically sluggish start to the season the BU16 div 2 Atoms BGWs bounced back with a vengeance on 22 May with a brutal demolition of Titans Jewell 42 to 27 (going our way). The defence was solid and the fast breaking offence heartbreaking for the Titans. But for a couple of opposition 3s and some lucky rebounds the margin would have been much greater. Mitch Collard played a blinder to tear apart the opposition with his offensive transition; new recruit Andre Dupen shot well; and Andre plus Jon Lampard worked the boards well at both ends.