Ryan and Bolden combined for 32 points as the Seahawks accounted for Stawell Wildcats 79-63 at St Joseph’s Primary School.

Seahawks coach Shane Smith, who only took on the job last Tuesday, said that the pair made their influence felt inside the paint.

“They rebounded well and were really strong under the basket so that was certainly the difference,” he said. “It was good for Curtis. He’s been out for a fair while now with a knee so he was very structured (with the way he prepared) in the lead-up and with the way he played.”

Smith said the Seahawks’ height — they have seven players over 190 centimetres on their roster, including 200cm-plus teenagers Ryan and Liam Killey — was a strength they would use to their advantage this season.

“It’s been a long time since we have had a lot of depth in our talls,” he said.

Warrnambool led at every change but Stawell crept to within 10 points in the third term. Smith was pleased with the Seahawks’ poise and felt his side was always in control of the contest.

He played all 10 players who suited up and each hit the scoreboard.

“It showed we have a lot of versatility and was a positive sign for the rest of the season,” Smith said. “It was a really physical game.”

Warrnambool’s next challenge is against Horsham Hornets, a side brimming with Big V-level talent which dismantled Timboon Taipans on Saturday night. 

The Taipans’ CBL debut against the Hornets was an eye-opener.

Former Horsham guard Jarryd Watene top-scored for the Taipans in their 86-36 road trip defeat. 

Horsham raced to a 19-point lead at quarter-time and never relented. 

Portland Coasters started their season with two straight wins, while Terang Tornadoes returned from a double-header road trip with two losses. The Coasters cruised past Stawell Wildcats on Saturday night, opening their account with a convincing 103-49 win at home.

Aaron Caldow scored 19 points, Joel Mirtschin 15 and returning US college shooting guard Hayden Annett 12 points. 

Annett drained 30 points, including seven threes, in the Coasters’ 88-59 win against the Tornadoes yesterday. Mirtschin (18 points) and Caldow (17) were again influential. 

Pat Keane top-scored for Terang with 15 points.

Terang also suffered a humbling 92-64 loss to reigning premier Mount Gambier Lakers on Saturday night. Keane dropped 19 points, co-coach Scott Judd 12 and Michael Payne 11.

In the women’s competition, Portland Coasters accounted for Stawell Wildcats 56-43 on Saturday night, with Chelsea McMahon scoring a game-high 17 points.

Warrnambool Mermaids made their return to senior representative competition with a 60-36 win against Stawell Wildcats yesterday.