WARRNAMBOOL Seahawks are shying away from Big V finals hype despite knocking off top side La Trobe City Energy on Saturday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
American import Sai’Quon Stone was instrumental in the 100-91 win in front of a parochial home crowd at the Arc.
Stone complemented his team-high 25 points with four of the Seahawks’ 10 steals as they improved their division one record to 7-2.
Tim Gainey produced another formidable performance, his 22 points and 12 rebounds earning him back-to-back double-doubles.
Warrnambool coach Bobby Cunningham was thrilled with that experienced duo’s input but said the Seahawks’ teamwork and spread was the reason for the win.
“Everybody hit the scoreboard,” he said.
“Damian Gray, he had five points, five assists and four steals.
“If he hit his free throws he could have finished with 10 points.
“Josh Dean had seven points, two assists and two steals.
“Simon O’Keefe nearly had a double-double and Liam Killey nearly did too.”
Warrnambool led the fast-paced contest at every change and had built a 12-point buffer at half-time.
Cunningham said La Trobe City was persistent.
“We had a chance to skip away with it but I guess they are not number one on the ladder for no reason,” he said.
“We had an 18-point lead at one stage and they clawed back.
“Good on them for showing fight.”
Cunningham said the Seahawks’ supporter base gave them a lift.
“I think you put that win down to our home crowd,” he said.
“That was like Tin House (YMCA) days.
“When their team was at the foul line, everyone was tapping their feet, it was old-school.”
Warrnambool plays Geelong Supercats — a side it has already beaten this season — away on Sunday afternoon.
Cunningham said it was imperative the Seahawks focused on the task at hand.
“I am really pleased at the moment but we have 11 games to go,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Seahawk Nathan Sobey played a role in his first game on Australian soil since returning from the US college system.
Sobey dropped 13 points from 19 minutes in Ballarat Miners’ 19-point SEABL win against Mount Gambier at the Minerdome on Saturday night.