Knox Raider Craig SimpsonTHE Knox Ford Raiders won’t be licking their wounds this week, in fact coach Damian Cotter was buoyed by his team’s 91-105 loss to the Geelong Supercats and rates the slick cats as the 2007 basketball benchmark.
“Although we’re disappointed we didn’t win, there were plenty of positives to come out of the game.
“We had a few players down, but we were very competitive as a group and challenged Geelong to the end. The effort was a significant one in that we are trying to develop cohesive team ethics and establish a high work rate for the season ahead.
“Our young guys need to understand that when you’re playing against the league’s top teams, lapses in concentration will be punished severely. As our young players become more consistent, we will become a much tougher team.
“Glenn (Siegle) and Craig (Simpson) played really well for us and continue to lead by example. Hopefully in the weeks ahead we have some others standing up and following their example.”
The Raiders continue to hold a top-four spot and will start favourites against Albury-Wodonga this Saturday night at Knox Converse Stadium. Tip-off is at 8pm.
Meanwhile, the Raiders women split their road trip to Tasmania with an impressive 79-64 win against North West Tasmania coming after a disappointing 49-74 loss to Launceston on Saturday night.
The Raiders were swamped by the Tornadoes in their opening game and quickly slipped behind. Down by 13 points at quarter-time, an improved performance in the second term pleased the coaching staff, but it wasn’t enough to thwart Launceston’s Lisa Pardon (17 points) and Crista Hays (17 points).
Only Danielle Fidge (10 points) registered double-figure points in an otherwise quiet night for the team’s leading players.
Sunday’s match at Ulverstone proved much better for the Raiders, particularly a second-quarter 29-14 blitz that proved too much for North West to claw back.
The 15-point win came largely thanks to Jess Eason (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Cara Angel (15 points), while Andrea McMahon chipped in with 10 points.
The Raiders sit eighth on the ladder with a crucial trip to Albury-Wodonga this Saturday night to meet the sixth-placed Lady Bandits.
In the Big V, the Raiders enjoyed a whirlwind start to the season with both Youth League teams recording significant victories.
In a double-header against Sandringham, the women scored a 100-53 win (Tenille Nash 19 points) before the men stepped out to grab a 95-77 victory (Chris O’Halloran 19 points).
The women then backed up on Sunday with a dominant 82-43 win at Bulleen. Best players included Danni Bone (16 points) and Tammy Goyne (16 points).
